Time Out highlights Scarborough as one of best places to visit in UK in 2023
The town is fifth in the list
Last updated 30th Nov 2022
Time Out has named Scarborough as one of the top UK break destinations for 2023.
The publication cites the revival of Scarborough Fair next autumn and the February Dark Skies Festival around the coast and North York Moors as some of the many reasons to book a holiday or take a day trip to the area next year.
An exploration of Scarborough’s breweries and pubs, Old Town’s quirky independent shops and a walk along South Cliff Gardens are also some of the things highlighted and recommended by Time Out’s team of UK experts, who have put the town at number five on their list of UK Best Places to Visit 2023.
Time Out says: "It was way back in 1626 that a stream of acidic water running down Scarborough’s epic cliffs and into the sea was discovered. Doctors at the time claimed the water healed ailments because of its chemical make-up. This became a huge catalyst for visitors to Scarborough, and the town became Britain’s first seaside resort. Fast forward to the present day, and it’s thriving again.
In 2023, the town will see its famous Scarborough Fair being revived (April 8 to May 29), with a line-up spanning theatre, dance, comedy, juggling and, frighteningly, ‘combat’. Scarborough is increasingly becoming a destination for craft beer fans too – micropubs like The Stumble Inn, Quayside Bar, The Frigate and Craft Bar are attracting connoisseurs to the coast, with Valley Bar in trendy South Cliff the go-to place to start a night out.
The perfect day Order a brew from Yay Coffee’s little truck parked high on the Esplanade with amazing views over South Bay. Then enjoy a walk through the Victorian splendour of South Cliff Gardens, recently restored to their former glory. Browse the vintage stores of the Old Town, including the eclectic Yorkshire interiors from Woolley Edge in the refurbished Market Hall, before a hearty vegan lunch at Love Brew Café. Spend the afternoon at the Alpamare Wellness Spa, with its floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the North Sea. Finish the day with cocktails at Geo before an experimental British-Asian dinner at the Haus of S&M.
Plan your trip Scarborough is on the edge of the North York Moors National Park, which hosts an annual Dark Skies Festival (February 10 to 26). Expect walks, talks and late-night stargazing events in one of Europe’s biggest protected Dark Sky Reserves."
The full list of Time Out’s Best Places to Visit in the UK in 2023 is:
- Eastbourne
- Birmingham
- Cardigan
- Manchester
- Scarborough
- Glasgow
- Dorset
- London
- Edinburgh
- Liverpool
- Padstow
- Orkney
- Margate
- Sheffield
- Cheshire
Janet Jefferson, President of Scarborough's Chamber of Trade, owns The Train Shop in the Old Town. She said: "It's always the best place to visit wherever you come from. I think it's really a compliment to this end of the town. I have the Train Shop and it's our 40th year next year. When we first opened it was a very, very seasonal area but now it's developed and people try to open all year round.
"In closed season, you can visit things I suppose easier because there aren't crowds so you can be more captivating by what's on offer. There are others that have been here longer than me, some have been here for maybe 45 years, but it just shows the sustainability and it's good that more people are entering into it.
"We've got an arts shop, an antiques shop, we've got jewellery and virtually everything to offer. You could spend half a day walking up and down. People are open, they have times on the door and they're open all year round.
"I think the quirky, independent shops needs supporting, especially through this winter season. You can do all your Christmas shopping down in this area of the Old Town and this year we've got the Christmas tree, the lights up and down and I think that's right. It's good that people have recognised this.
"When you look at the other towns and cities that are considered and in close proximity to York and places like this, I think it's lovely. I think independent shops are the future but we do need the big chains, I'm not saying we don't need that, but at the Chamber of Trade a lot of our members are independent and different to other categories within other towns."