Peasholm Park is a free municipal park in Scarborough’s North Bay, with a lake, island waterfall, pagoda and Japanese-themed gardens. You can visit year-round; seasonal boating and events add activities during warmer months, while the park’s paths and landscaped grounds are there to enjoy in any season.
- Location: Victoria Park, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO12 7TS.
- Entry: Free; the park is open all year, 24 hours a day.
- Seasonal activities: Boat-deck activities generally run on weekends from Easter until early November, and daily during school holidays.
- Nearby: North Bay beach is a few minutes’ walk from the park.
What to expect at Peasholm Park
Peasholm Park is a landscaped public park with a distinctive Japanese theme, set in Scarborough’s North Bay. Its lake, island waterfall and pagoda give the grounds a central focal point, while gardens and tree-lined paths make the park a place to wander at your own pace.
The park was laid out in 1912 and extended to include Peasholm Glen in 1924. It is Grade II on the National Heritage List for England’s Register of Parks and Gardens. That history is visible in the park’s planned landscape, including miniature bridges and streams alongside the lake and gardens.
For a simple visit, start by following the paths around the lake, then make time for Peasholm Glen. You can finish with a walk toward North Bay beach, just a few minutes away on foot.
The lake, gardens and paths
The lake and its island waterfall and pagoda are the park’s defining features, with streams, miniature bridges and gardens adding detail along the way. Tree-lined paths connect the landscaped areas with Peasholm Glen, so you can combine a circuit by the water with a quieter walk through the glen.
Peasholm Café serves hot and cold food, with indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the island waterfall and pagoda. Its waterside setting makes it a natural pause during a visit, whether you stop before or after walking the grounds.
Opening details and seasonal activities
Peasholm Park is free to enter and open around the clock throughout the year, while boating and some events follow seasonal schedules. The park’s Friends group gives the year-round opening details; activities can depend on the weather.
Boat-deck activities generally operate on weekends from Easter until early November, and daily during school holidays. The boat-deck information includes rowing boats and dragon pedalos, but does not give hire prices. For current activity arrangements and any changes to seasonal schedules, check the official site before you go.
Naval Warfare, a miniature sea battle on the lake, has been a family holiday tradition since 1927 and is usually staged in July and August. The bandstand hosts brass-band concerts on Sunday afternoons during those months.
Spring Daze and Autumn Daze are seasonal park events, while Moonlight on the Lake features illuminated lights and lanterns among the trees and on the lake.
How do you get from Green Gables Hotel to Peasholm Park?
Peasholm Park is about a 29-minute walk from Green Gables Hotel, or about a 6-minute drive. The hotel offers rooms for your Scarborough stay.
You can plan your route on foot or by car; the park is a destination in Scarborough’s North Bay.
If you’re planning your route around town, how to get around Scarborough covers local walks, buses and stations.
Pairing the park with North Bay
North Bay beach is a few minutes’ walk from Peasholm Park, making it easy to pair time among the gardens with a seaside walk. You can visit the park first, then continue toward the beach, or make the park a stop on a wider North Bay outing.
Keep the plan flexible if you’re aiming to see boating or an event, since seasonal activities can depend on the weather. The park itself remains open year-round, so the lake, paths and gardens can still anchor a visit outside the activity season. A one-day Scarborough route from coast to town can help you plan stops around the park.
FAQs
Is Peasholm Park free to enter?
Yes. Entry to the park is free, and it is open all year, 24 hours a day.
What is Peasholm Park known for?
It is known for its Japanese-themed landscape, lake, island waterfall and pagoda. The park also has streams, miniature bridges, gardens, tree-lined paths and Peasholm Glen.
Can you hire boats at Peasholm Park?
Rowing boats and dragon pedalos are among the boat-deck activities. The activities are seasonal and weather-dependent, and hire prices are not given.
When does Naval Warfare take place?
The miniature sea battle on the lake is usually staged in July and August. Check the official site before you go for current activity arrangements.