- The Scarborough Rundown
- Posts
- 🏨From Grand Hotel Horror to World Whisky Gold - What’s Going On in Scarborough?🥃
🏨From Grand Hotel Horror to World Whisky Gold - What’s Going On in Scarborough?🥃
🌟 The Scarborough Rundown - Events, Activities, Live Music & Good News! 😊
Hey Scarborough! Here’s What’s Happening This Week!
This week brings a mix of nostalgia and celebration. We’re looking back at The Grand Hotel – once a symbol of seaside luxury. A recent feature explored its faded glory and the challenges it’s faced over the years, sparking plenty of local reflection.
On a more uplifting note, Spirit of Yorkshire’s Filey Bay whisky has taken gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition – a proud moment for the region’s growing reputation in craft distilling.
And if you're planning your weekend, there’s no shortage of things to do: live blues, local art shows, line dancing, fish festivals, and coastal walks. From family-friendly fun to community events with heart, there’s something for everyone.
Scroll down for the complete list and see what’s happening near you!
Learn AI in 5 minutes a day
What’s the secret to staying ahead of the curve in the world of AI? Information. Luckily, you can join 1,000,000+ early adopters reading The Rundown AI — the free newsletter that makes you smarter on AI with just a 5-minute read per day.
📍 Scarborough in Brief - Community Updates 📰
🧼 From grandeur to grime - how Britannia broke the Grand
Tales of norovirus, bleach water, mould and malfunctioning lifts have haunted the once-iconic hotel since its fall into disrepair under Britannia Hotels. More
🧹 £200k boost to clean up Scarborough town centre
A hi-tech cleaning machine, giant mural, and new street furniture are part of Scarborough's big summer spruce-up. More
🏠 Scarborough ranked in the top five in the UK for mortgage-free living
With over 41% of homes owned outright, Scarborough proves that seaside living can also be financially secure. More
🥃 Yorkshire distillery wins gold at world whisky awards
Spirit of Yorkshire’s Filey Bay whisky has scooped a top honour at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. More
🍫 Whitby plans first-ever chocolate festival with a sweet twist
A town-wide battle for the best hot chocolate and cocktail is set to heat up this November to raise funds for defibrillators. More
🌞 Will the spring heatwave last? Here's what to expect this week
Sunshine and warmth are sticking around, but cooler air and storms may be on the horizon. More
🚣 Pedal or row through Peasholm Park this spring
Dragon-themed pedalos and classic rowing boats are now available on weekends - with daily rentals starting 23 May at Scarborough's serene lakeside escape. More
🎰 Outrage as 24-hour casino planned for Whitby high street
Locals fear Whitby's last bank will become a gambling den, warning the town is "not Las Vegas." More
🦌 Fire crews rescue a child, a deer and seagulls in a single day
Scarborough and Whitby firefighters were kept busy with trapped animals, a barn blaze, and a stuck child’s arm. More
🏡 Whitby B&B named one of the best in the world
With rave reviews and a "warm Yorkshire welcome," Hillcrest Whitby has just landed a global TripAdvisor honour. More
Not conservative. Not liberal. Just Christian.
Trust in media is at an all-time low (shocking… we know), but let’s keep “walking around completely uninformed” as a backup plan.
The Pour Over provides concise, politically neutral, and entertaining summaries of the world’s biggest news paired with reminders to stay focused on eternity.
🎭 Gender-swapped cabaret promises a bold night for Scarborough Pride
A one-night-only cabaret flips traditional roles and supports this year’s Pride festival with music, mayhem, and heart. More
🦅 Police hunt for shooter after protected buzzard is killed
A buzzard was illegally shot dead in the North York Moors, prompting a police appeal and outrage from wildlife advocates. More
🦙 Alpaca adventures await at Humble Bee Farm
Belita, Olive and Clover are just a few of the friendly alpacas visitors can walk with near Scarborough. More
🏘️ Scarborough's £20M makeover is underway
From new murals and flowers to jet washes and shopfront makeovers, the town’s transformation is starting to show. More
🤝 Grants of up to £3,000 available for Scarborough community groups
A popular funding programme from Parkinson’s UK is back, offering support for activity providers across the region. More
🚴 New scheme brings free bikes and art trail access to Scarborough’s Cinder Track
A new cycling pilot offers free bikes – including accessible ones – to help more people explore nature and sculpture.
❓ Charity quiz night to raise funds for Scarborough hospice
Wold Top Brewery is hosting a quiz and raffle night in honour of the hospice that once cared for its founder. More
Readers' Choice: Most Visited Links from the Last Issue
🎟️ Events, Activities & Live Music 🎾
We keep it short here - head to the events page for full descriptions and links.
Fri, 16th May
09:00 🚭 Stop Smoking Support - Smokefree 2025? - The Rainbow Centre, Scarborough
10:00 🎨 Rock Painting - Mental Health Awareness Week Activity - South Beach (in front of Olympia), Scarborough
12:00 🔮 Healing & Mediumship with Adrian Clark - Whitby Healing & Spiritual Retreat
12:00 🎉 Knickerbocker Bingo - Gallows Close Centre, Scarborough
13:00 🎷 That Friday Feeling - Live Blues & Jazz - Eighteen91, Scarborough
16:00 💃 Scarborough Pulse Awesome Weekender: Dance Festival Kickoff - The Royal Hotel, Scarborough
17:00 🎸 Whitby Brewery Gig - Live Rock Music - Whitby Brewery, Whitby
18:00 🤠 Beginners' Line Dancing - Alexandra Community Centre, Scarborough
18:00 🐟 Battered and Brewed - Local Fish & Drinks Tasting - Royal Hotel, Whitby
18:00 🎭 Flight - Script-in-Hand Theatre Performance - Gallery 6, Scarborough
19:00 🧒 Kids Bowls Coaching - Alexandra Community Centre, Scarborough
19:00 🛼 Friday Night Social Skate - Scarborough YMCA, Scarborough
19:30 🎤 Oasish - Oasis Tribute Live - Whitby Pavilion, Whitby
19:30 🎸 Country Hits Live - Nashville Tribute Show - Spa Theatre, Scarborough
19:30 🎶 Harp and a Monkey with Fylingdales Folk Choir - St Mary's Church, Scarborough
22:00 🎧 Go Like the Clapphus! - Pop Punk DJ Night - Bacchus, Scarborough
Sat, 17th May
09:30 🦕 Runswick Bay Geological Walk - Runswick Bay
10:00 🖼️ Fylingdales Group of Artists Centenary Exhibition - Danby Lodge National Park Centre
10:00 🎣 Whitby Fish and Ships Festival - Marina Front Car Park, Whitby
10:00 🧺 Goathland Farmers Market - The Hut, Goathland
10:00 🚛 Open Day - Trailers and Parts - Londesborough Business Park, Scarborough
10:00 ✝️ Holy Communion Service - St Luke's Church, Scarborough
10:00 🧶 Made in Filey - Local Craft Fair - Filey Evron Centre, Filey
10:30🌱 Spring Seedling Swap 📍 Cherry Burton Village Hall
10:30 🥾 Cleveland Way Walk - Scarborough to Ravenscar - Raven Hall Road, Ravenscar
11:00 🖌️ Time & Space: Art and Poetry Exhibition - Old Parcels Office ArtSpace, Scarborough
11:00 🛶 Sea Safety Session - SUP/Kayak - Filey Sea Cadets, Filey
11:00 🧩 Modern RCQ Trading Card Tournament - Spike's Hideout, Scarborough
12:00 🍕 Embers by the Sea - Pizza & Drinks Pop-up - Adventure Golf, Scarborough
12:00 🌊 Sustainable Coast - Marine Conservation Talks - St Mary's Church, Scarborough
13:00 🎨 Work in Progress - Mary McGarry Sketching Session - 58 Falsgrave Road, Scarborough
14:30 🎶 Live Music - Fish & Ships Festival Set - The Whitby Brewery Stage, Whitby
15:00 🎹 Acoustic Sesh - Graham Graham Beck Live - Mojos Music Cafe, Scarborough
15:30 🏄 Paddle Out Protest - Surfers Against Sewage - South Beach, Scarborough
16:30 🐉 Commander Party - Tarkir Dragonstorm II - 2 Victoria Road, Scarborough
18:00 🎭 Kids Talent Show - Burniston & Cloughton Village Hall, Scarborough
Sun, 18th May
09:30 🚶 Coastal Walk - Filey to Hunmanby - Filey Crescent Gardens, Filey
10:00 🎣 Whitby Fish and Ships Festival - Marina Front Car Park, Whitby
10:00 🎨 Fylingdales Group of Artists Centenary Exhibition - Danby Lodge National Park Centre
10:30 🎼 Morning Service with Stainer’s Crucifixion - St Mary’s Church, Whitby
11:00 🎨 Time & Space: Art and Poetry Exhibition - Old Parcels Office ArtSpace, Scarborough
11:00 🧶 Made in Filey - Local Craft Fair - Filey Evron Centre, Filey
11:00 🐟 Open Day - Whitby Lobster Hatchery - Whitby Lobster Hatchery, Whitby
12:00 🎼 Whitby Sea Festival Live Music Stage - Dock End Stage, Whitby
13:00 🧘 Beach Yoga and Meditation - South Beach, Scarborough
13:30 🐚 Seashore Safari for Families - Coble Landing, Filey
14:00 🎶 Live Music - Steel Drums and Acoustic Sets - Whitby Brewery, Whitby
15:00 🎤 Whitby Sea Festival Finale Concert - Whitby Pavilion, Whitby
Future Events
🎉 Want to see what’s coming up? Our events page has a growing list of future happenings, complete with descriptions and links!
👋 That’s All For Now 🎬
From town to coast, there's always something happening in Scarborough. Sue | Editor | The Scarborough Rundown | ![]() |
We would love to hear from you! Do you have a local event or community story to share? Would you like to give a shout-out to a local hero? Or maybe you want to give us feedback. Contact us via the link below. 📩
How did you like this issue of The Scarborough Rundown? |
💡 Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in this email are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission, which helps keep this newsletter free for readers like you!