Scarborough Spa & Gardens

Climb the steps to the Spa balcony and from there walk up the espalier staircase to the gardens. Turn right at the top of the espalier steps to take either of the gently sloping paths towards the Spa bridge.

Scarborough Spa is where the town's life as a seaside resort began. The current building dates from the late 19th century but the spa waters were discovered in the 1600s. Then in the late 17th century a Dr Wittie of Hull began promoting the health benefits of sea bathing.

The Spa's espalier steps, designed by Sir Joseph Paxton

As a result Scarborough attracted nobility from across Europe and became the first seaside resort. Of course where the rich and influential gather others soon follow and with the industrial revolution and railway transport came the holiday makers on mass.

The spa gardens were landscaped by Sir Joseph Paxton over a landslip that partially buried the spa building. Much of the area is vulnerable to these rotational land slips

The slips occur when boulder clay, which is a heavy, muddy clay deposited during the last ice age, becomes lubricated by ground water. The land then slumps down in a big arc as the clay rolls off the solid rock beneath.

Japanese Knotweed growing in the Spa gardens

Evidence of three such landslips can be seen in this short stretch of coastline, the most recent occurred in 1992 when the Holbeck Hall Hotel had to be demolished as the cliff gave way beneath the building.

The garden paths were gently sloped to allow easy access for bath chairs.

Many of the plants and trees you will pass are vagrant species. Here you can see Turkey Oak (similar to our native Oak, but with narrower leaves and whiskers at the base of the leaves) and a number of Mediterranean species: Quercus ilex (an ever green oak), Shasta Daisy, red and white valerian (commonly found on old walls).

Most of these species will have come from gardens in the area but have now naturalized in the habitat.

The dreaded Japanese Knotweed has also been seen in this area, although the council will be working to control its spread in the town.

N.B. Access to the spa gardens for wheelchair and buggy users is via the spa bridge. Across Valley Road, near the Rotunda museum is an accessible slope to access the bridge. There are also cliff lifts below the Grand Hotel and a little up the coast from the Spa.