Scarborough 400: BBC Radio York to share readers' memories of North Yorkshire resort
Fish and chips with your mates, an ice cream on the promenade, sandcastles on the beach or a bracing cliff top walk along the Cleveland Way.
There are plenty of ways to get kicks in Scarborough – it has been that way for four centuries and more.
The resort is celebrating 400 years as a spa town in 2026 and, to mark the anniversary, BBC Radio York is encouraging people to pick up a postcard, share their memories of Scarborough and send them in to the station.
Postcards can be picked up from Scarborough Library, the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough Spa and North Bay Railway, with postboxes at the same locations.
Stories will be collected and made part of a special series of broadcasts on BBC Radio York.
Station presenter Bek Homer told fellow host Georgey Spanswick: “I’m going to be like Postman Pat, I’m going to be collecting them because I’m our Scarborough cohort.
"We’d just love everyone to get involved. You don’t have to be from Scarborough, this is not what we’re saying, we are celebrating Scarborough – it’s such a big part of North Yorkshire.”
Over the week starting Monday, June 29, the station will be charing 400 stories and memories, while broadcasting from locations around Scarborough. On the Monday, Joanita Musisi will present from 10am to 2pm at SeaGrown seawood company; Jericho Keys’s breakfast show from 6am to 10am on the Tuesday will be from Scarborough Market Hall; Toby Foster hosts from the Grand Hotel from 2pm to 6pm on Wednesday, July 1; and Bek Homer will be at North Bay Railway from 6am to 10am on the Friday.
The story of Scarborough as a spa town began in 1626 with Thomasin Farrer "discovering" the medicinal potential of the iron-rich, acidic spring water, bubbling out from the base of South Cliff. She shared her find with friends, and the town quickly became Britain's first seaside health resort, attracting visitors for its waters decades before it became known for sea bathing. A formal spa house was built in the early 1700s, with the famous Victorian complex developing much later.
It's been some 60 years since anyone drank the spa water, but one of the themes of 2026 will be to emphasise the plentiful opportunities modern-day Scarborough represents for wellness.
Indeed, there has been a concerted effort in the North Yorkshire seaside town to promote its activities and culture.
For instance, at Scarborough Market Hall, a new artisan and antiques Sunday market started in April. The Scarborough Coble Market runs the second Sunday of every month, bringing together a curated mix of artists, makers, craftspeople, artisans and antique dealers and will also include street food and live music.
Meanwhile, the work of Totally Locally, which has also been supporting other North Yorkshire towns including Knaresborough, Malton and Pickering, has been about encouraging people who live in the area to spend in local businesses and use their town centres more.
So while Scarborough is being recognised for its 400 years as a spa town, it is hoped there will be glory in the future.
People who want to get in touch with BBC Radio York to share their memories can also contact the station on WhatsApp on 08000 321 333, starting with the word “YORK”.