English Rose Hotels

From the Clifton Hotel, high on the headland above the North Sea, Scarborough Castle occupies one of the most dramatic castle sites in the country and boasts over 2,500 years of turbulent history.

Before the castle was built, this natural fortress was favoured by prehistoric settlers before serving as a Roman signal station and Viking haven. It has endured sieges from medieval kings and Civil War armies, and German naval bombardment during WWII. Now you can climb to the battlement viewing platforms for dramatic coastline views, and take tea in the 18th-century Master Gunner’s House.

This is an ideal day out for people staying at Scarborough hotels, who wish to capture the heritage of Scarborough.

The stunning Rotunda Museum in Scarborough overlooks the South Bay and was built in 1829. It is one of the best geological museums in the area and amongst the oldest purpose built museums in Britain that still fulfils its original role. The museum was built to illustrate the ideas of William Smith – the pioneering ‘Father of English Geology’ whose work established that geological strata could be identified and correlated using the fossils they contain.

Easily the best place in England to see, hear and smell seabirds! More than 200,000 birds (from April to August) make the cliffs seem alive – with adults bringing food to their nests, or young chicks making their first faltering flights.

With huge numbers to watch, beginners can easily learn the difference between gannets, guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and fulmars. The easily recognisable puffins (here between April and July) are always a delight. Specially-created cliff top viewpoints are wheelchair accessible with care.

To be found in peaceful North Yorkshire, the Walled Garden is a stunningly beautiful contemporary garden, quite unlike any other. Open to the public for the first time in 2004, people visit from all over the world and it has been received with great acclaim.

In 2006 The House and Garden were featured in the television series ‘Hidden Treasure Houses’ on Five. Open for just one month a year, and sitting in its own, more traditional gardens, Scampston Hall is one of the finest country houses in Yorkshire. Lovingly restored by the Legards, it is a family home and contains many fine works of art, furniture and china.

Newly opened for 2008, the Woodland Walk provides visitors with the opportunity to visit the traditional gardens around the house including the Rock Garden, the Woodland Garden and the ‘Capability’ Brown lakes and park.

Just off the A64, between York and Scarborough, Scampton Walled Gardens is easy to find.

Ryedale Folk Museum is Yorkshire’s leading open air museum. Set in a three and a half acre site in the North York Moors are 19 re–constructed historic buildings from the local area including shops, thatched and timber framed cottages, workshops and an Elizabethan Manor House.

The museum covers 400 years of the history of Ryedale with collections of archaeology, costume, photographs, craft, tools and domestic equipment.

The Museum has been a Registered Charity since 1966 and as an independent museum relies upon income generated by admission fees, shops sales and grants in order to remain open to the public.

As you step through the entrance of the Ryedale Folk Museum you will be transported back in time. Take a walk through the site and learn about the history of Ryedale from centuries past. Take a look through the shop, there is an opportunity to find that perfect gift or something to remember your visit.