The History of Scarborough

Scarborough was initially founded in around 966 AD as was known as Skarðaborg. It was discovered by Thorgils Skarthi, a Viking raider hence the Scandinavian name.

Although this is so in the 4th century there had briefly been a Roman signal station on Scarborough Headland and there is evidence of both Stone Age and Bronze Age settlements in the area of the town.

Due to warring between the Scandinavians, most of the town was burned down. Scarborough then developed again under the rule of King Henry II who built the famous stone castle.

In the Middle Ages, Scarborough Fair held a six-week trading festival attracting merchants from all over Europe. This encouraged the town to grow both in it's size and in business.

The fair continued to be held for 500 years, from the 11th century to the 18th century, and is commemorated in the song now famous song.

In 1626, Mrs Elizabeth Farrow discovered a stream of acidic water running from one of the cliffs to the south of the town. This gave birth to Scarborough Spa, which began attracting visitors to the town. Scarborough Spa soon became Britain's first seaside resort!

Various development and expansion occurred in the years that followed and in 1841 a railway link between York and Scarborough was built.

During World War I, Scarborough was bombarded by German warships causing further carnage in the town.

Not a place to be out of the news, in June 1993 Scarborough made headlines around the world when a landslip caused part of the Holbeck Hall Hotel, along with its gardens, to fall into the sea.

To this day, the town remain a popular seaside resort with a multitude of historical attractions.