Scarborough is a town located on the North Sea coast of North Yorkshire, England. The modern town lies 30 to 70 metres above sea level, on limestone cliffs. The older part of the town lies around the harbour and is protected by a rocky headland
The town has a North Bay and a South Bay. The South Bay is the main focus and contains many arcades and entertainment facilities and is overlooked by the town itself — a vibrant shopping centre. The North Bay has traditionally been 'the quiet end' of the resort and is home to Peasholm Park which has recently been granted funding to be restored to its Japanese-themed glory. The park still features a mock maritime battle (based on the Battle of the River Plate) re-enacted on the boating lake with large model boats and fireworks throughout the summer holiday season. The North Bay Railway is a miniature railway which runs from the park to the Sea Life Centre at Scalby Mills.
The North Bay is linked to the South Bay by an impressive Victorian promenade, built around the headland and soon to be home to the controversial large-scale sculpture The Wave, consisting of "21 steel members, each element a deconstructed section of a wave, which when viewed as an overall composition recreates the wave cycle". Overlooking both bays is Scarborough Castle, which was bombarded by the German warships Derfflinger and von der Tann in the First World War. Both bays have excellent sandy beaches and some superb rock-pooling opportunities at low tide.
Slightly less well known is the South Cliff Promenade situated above the Spa and South Cliff gardens, affording stunning views of the South Bay and old town. Its Victorian splendour is still intact and the mix of quality hotels and desirable apartments form the backdrop to the ITV drama The Royal which can often be seen filming in the area. The South Bay has the largest illuminated "Star Disk" anywhere in the UK. It is 26 metres across and is fitted with subterranean lights representing the 42 brightest stars and major constellations that can be seen from Scarborough in the northern skies.

Attractions

The town is home to a significant jazz festival each September and an eclectic rock and pop festival on the beach in the summer which features at least 50% local talent alongside internationally known artistes. In Summer 2005 Scarborough played host to the Sonic Arts Network Expo featuring cutting edge performances and installations.
These fairly recent developments married to a long established museum and visual arts provision hint at Scarborough's desire to re-invent itself as a creative and arts-based town. In 2006 work started on Wood End Museum - former home to the The Sitwells - to convert it into a creative centre including workspace for artists and the digital cluster plus an exhibition space. The town's Rotunda Museum is currently undergoing a £multi-million redevelopment that will see it become a national centre for geology.