Barnstorming Beachcomber the gateway to peaceful Peasholm Park

It’s one of the showpiece, jewel in the crown attractions in Yorkshire – the Beachcomber open top bus from Scarborough town centre along the seafront is a pure delight. Over the next few weeks and to celebrate its return to service for 2024, we’re showcasing some of the fab destinations it serves. Today, we take a look at a perfect paradise, the blissful 14-hectare retreat that is Peasholm Park, which is also a Great Scenic Journeys “junction”, where the magnificent Coastliner 843 bus from Leeds and York, starts and finishes and also the Arriva X94/5 from Whitby to Scarborough stops off at. This really is the place to be!

Peasholm’s the perfect retreat from coastal capers!

Peasholm Park has been voted the 6th Best Park in the UK and 25th Best Park in  Europe in the Trip Advisor Traveller’s Choice Awards. It’s situated in the idyllic North Bay – customers can board the Beachcomber at the railway station and enjoy the scenic sojourn down to the seafront, with the coast on the right and barnstorming attractions on the left, before the journey twists and turns its way at the bottom of the cliff with the waves crashing close to the bus, when the weather is inclement and glistening serenely – just like the ambiance in Peasholm Park! It’s a noisy route in parts, with the sound of squawking seagulls flying around, mixed with the whirring din from the funfair and the chiming, crescendo rising beats from the amusement arcades, pronouncing a winner or two! Thank goodness for Peasholm Park a paradisical balm of tranquillity but with some innocent pastimes on the side too!

Rest assured, though there’s frivolity in the air on the seafront, as the bus heads northwards away from the town centre, there is, though a more peaceful feel as Peasholm Park beckons, with the atmospheric North Bay views –  of jagged rocks, sea-salt spraying waves and the foreboding but stunning cliff overlooking the bay, with a real grandiose sense of occasion.

A taste of the Orient on stepping off the Beachcomber

The Park though is elegant in appearance and has a real oriental theme with beautiful and melodic inter-connecting streams, waterfalls and mini-bridges – there’s a real enchanted, mystical feel. It’s also home to the world famous Naval Warfare which takes place in July and August and is a unique miniature sea battle that has been shown on television screens across the globe and is possibly the longest running show of all time!

During the summer months, there are many boats to hire – brightly painted rowing boats, canoes and dragon themed pedalos. There’s more fun to be hand with the downloadable augmented reality dinosaur safari – search ‘Love Exploring’ in your app store, head to Peasholm Park and the adventure begins! Meanwhile, in the middle of the lake, in front of the largest waterfall, sits Peasholm Bandstand. The Bandstand hosts Sunday afternoon band concerts, normally during July and August.

Putt like a Champion at Peasholm!

No trip to the seaside is complete without a bit of putting. There’s a putting green and 18-hole mini golf course and the iconic Peasholm Park Island. Once you’ve crossed the bridge, take a walk to the top of the island and discover the hidden oriental gardens, just be careful not to disturb the geese! The Park also showcases fabulous wildlife – ranging from friendly grey squirrels, ducks, swans and geese, whilst also being home to several Champion trees – that is, the tallest, widest and best examples of species in the country! At least one of the park’s trees was previously thought to be extinct; Dickson’s Golden Elm was thought to have died out during the 1970s when Dutch Elm Disease wiped out so many of England’s lovely elms, however, the Glen at Peasholm Park has not just one example of this incredibly rare tree, it actually has two!

Howzat for a great trip out?

This wondrous place also offers some fantastic scenery and provides many with a real escape from the busier areas of town. However, the Park is only a 5 minute walk from some of the town’s best attractions, including the long sweeping North Bay beach, Scarborough Sea Life Sanctuary, North Bay Miniature Railway and of course Europe’s largest open air theatre, the Scarborough OAT. A short 10 minute walk up the hill from Peasholm Park is the North Marine Road cricket ground, home of Scarborough Cricket Club and where Yorkshire play County Championship and One Day Cup games in July and August – an iconic location, where sporting memories have been made over the years and one of the most popular cricket out grounds in the world!

Open Top bus to narrow gauge nostalgia – it doesn’t get much better than this!

One of our favourite attractions close to this paradisical park is the historic North Bay Railway with its beautiful views of Scarborough’s North Bay. This 20 inch gauge railway has been running along the line from Peasholm Park to Scalby Mills since 1931, which makes it one of the oldest seaside miniature railways in the country. Along the route is the Skytrail which, towering at over 20ft tall,  offers magnificent views over Northstead Manor Gardens and is a challenging but fun adventure for all the family! There are themed special events, such as the famous Pumpkin Trail and Santa Specials, later in the year, whilst for a bit of pre-journey nosh the Sidings Snack Shack is worth a visit at located at Peasholm Park station. It offers a delectable array of delicious breakfast buns, a selection of hot and cold lunch options including hearty burgers and jacket potatoes, plus hot & cold drinks, slushies and Carte D’Or soft scoop ice cream – not forgetting indulgent cream teas!

Bliss, balm and Beachcomber brilliance

All in all, Peasholm Park is a classic coastal attraction of bliss and balm, perfectly located on the brilliant Beachcomber open top bus, which fun-lovers can hop-on and off from Scarborough Station, to South Bay and up to North Bay and back – topping up their tan in the sun upstairs in the open or enjoying the breeze from the North Sea and the scent of popcorn, ice-cream, fresh fish and chips and candy floss from the restaurants and pedestrians walking along the Promenade below. It’s the ultimate seaside sojourn for scenic thrill seekers! To plan your adventure, check out….

Beachcomber – Great Scenic Journeys

The Beachcomber and Peasholm Park can also be reached by travelling on the super scenic 843 bus from Leeds and York to Scarborough, connecting at the railway station for the Beachcomber or at Peasholm Park Coastliner 843 Leeds – York – Scarborough – Great Scenic Journeys

Another gateway to the Beachcomber and Peasholm Park is on the Arriva X94/5 from Whitby to Scarborough, connecting at Scarborough Railway Station or Peasholm Park X93/X94 Middlesbrough to Scarborough – Great Scenic Journeys