From the old Toll House on the South side, to the North Bay, this spectacular walk or drive takes you around the prominent castle headland, taking in striking sounds, sea views and fresh sea air.
with the Sea Wall Heritage Trail - Portholes in Time project.
To build a marine drive that would join the north and the south bays. The Town Council sought permission from the owners and ratepayers to borrow seventy thousand pounds (in to today’s money £1,088,952.76) for the proposed building works, which would employ many men.
The final block out of over 1500 blocks weighing from 2-9 tons of the four-mile-long wall was laid by Scarborough's Mayoress, Mrs Morgan. At long last, the Marine Drive, one of the finest, if not the finest stretch of drives in the kingdom, neared completion.
The corporation levied a toll of two-pence per person for motorists and pedestrians. However, in 1934, following complaints from visitors, this was reduced to one penny
Limestone Cliffs
Old Toll House
Marine Drive Sea Defense
The imposing limestone cliffs made the headland a natural location for a roman signal station and later a fortified castle. The cliffs are a magnet for seabirds including nesting Kittiwakes (mid May to late June) and even sometimes Peregrine Falcons.
Along the way you can see the mysterious Hairy Bob’s Cave, a popular skate park and access to Royal Albert Gardens which will take you up to the Castle and Old Town. The Marine Drive becomes the Royal Albert Drive at this point.
Royal Albert Gardens which will take you up to the Castle and the Old Town
Marine Drive Walk
Hairy Bob’s Skate Park
The Scarborough Maritime Heritage Centre, now in its 14th year of operation, was awared £40,000 of National Lottery Heritage Funding for the Sea Wall Heritage Trail - Portholes in Time project.
Each 'Porthole in Time' tells a small part of Scarborough’s rich and varied history
Residents and visitors, together with students from local schools, helped select the historical topics
31 engraved granite storyboards are installed on the mile-long Marine Drive.
The trail of 31 information portholes was installed in November 2022 and inaugurated by Sir Alan Ayckbourn on 6th December 2022.
