The UK's oldest seaside town that even the Vikings loved 1,100 years ago

Perched on the rugged North Yorkshire coast, there is a town that has welcomed visitors for more than a millennium.

With its dramatic headland, centuries-old castle and sweeping golden beaches, Scarborough is Britain's oldest seaside resort - a place where Vikings once settled, medieval merchants gathered to trade, and Victorian holidaymakers helped shape the modern idea of a seaside escape.

Scarborough's story starts in 966 AD, when Viking raider Thorgills Skarthi founded a settlement he called Skarðaborg. Archaeological evidence shows that people had lived on the headland even earlier, around 2,500 years ago, but it was the Norse settlers who established the foundations of the town we know today, according to Visit Scarborough.

Towering above both North and South Bays, Scarborough Castle became a key stronghold, later built by Henry II to secure the coast. In the Middle Ages, Scarborough became famous across Europe for its annual trading festival. First granted a royal charter in 1253, Scarborough Fair ran for six weeks every year, from August 15 to September 29, attracting merchants from all over the continent.

The coastline itself tells a much older story. Known as the Dinosaur Coast, the cliffs near Scarborough have yielded superb fossil remains from the Jurassic period. The Rotunda Museum, opened in 1829 and one of the world's first purpose-built museums, displays many of these finds alongside "Gristhorpe Man" - the remarkable skeleton and coffin of a Bronze Age man.

Scarborough's transformation into Britain's first seaside resort began in 1626 when Elizabeth Farrow discovered a stream of acidic spring water flowing into the South Bay. The mineral-rich water was believed to have healing properties, and by the 1660s the "Spa" had become a magnet for visitors seeking cures.

When the Grand Hotel opened in 1867, it was the largest in Europe. Its design even reflected the passing of time: four towers for the seasons, 12 floors for the months, 52 chimneys for the weeks and originally 365 bedrooms for each day of the year. Over the decades, its guest list has included Winston Churchill, The Beatles, and novelist Anne Brontë, who died in Scarborough in 1849 and is buried at St Mary's Church beneath the castle.

Since then, Scarborough continued to grow as a beloved holiday spot. Its Spa complex, now Grade II listed, remains a venue for music and events, and is home to the Scarborough Spa Orchestra, the last surviving professional seaside orchestra in the UK.

Now, Scarborough's appeal lies in its blend of natural beauty and historic character. Castle Headland offers spectacular views and walking paths around the fortress ruins, while Scarborough Harbour has been the town's beating heart for centuries.

Peasholm Park, with its pagoda-topped island and boating lake, is a serene escape just a short stroll from the seafront. Opened in the early 20th century, it's famous for its summer naval battle re-enactments - a tradition that's been running for over 90 years.

Scalby Mills, at the northern edge of town, is another quiet gem where streams tumble through a rocky gorge into the North Sea.

Scarborough's beaches are a big part of its charm. South Bay is the classic family beach with its promenade and arcades, while North Bay offers a slightly quieter stretch of sand with beautiful coastal walks. Nearby, Cayton Bay and Cornelian Bay provide more secluded spots for those who prefer to escape the crowds.

Scarborough is easy to reach. Trains run directly from cities including Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, and York, with connections from London and Edinburgh via the East Coast Mainline.

By car, the town is well served by the A64 from Leeds and York. Hull ferry port is about 45 miles away, and several regional airports offer nearby flight options.

Once in town, visitors can explore on foot, hop on the open-top buses along the seafront, or take one of the cliff lifts that connect the Esplanade with the beaches below. Marine Drive, the coastal road built a century ago, curves around the castle headland linking North and South Bays - a scenic route that shows off Scarborough at its best.