The Secret Garden Manor Road Cemetery

You'll find this Victorian cemetery on Manor Road in Scarborough, and it's one of those places that rewards a proper wander. The grounds are genuinely atmospheric - lots of elaborate headstones, Victorian monuments, and the kind of peaceful green space you'd never expect to stumble across in a seaside town. It's less about the macabre and more about the craftsmanship and stories written in stone. Some graves are architectural statements in themselves, others are modest and touching.

Who gets the most from it? History enthusiasts will spend a good couple of hours picking through the inscriptions and admiring the stonework. Photographers too - the light and shadow play across the monuments is excellent, especially in late afternoon. Kids can find it interesting if they're old enough to engage with the stories rather than just see it as spooky, and it's the kind of place adults rarely tire of.

Allow an hour or two depending on your pace. There's no charge for entry. The real appeal is the contrast it offers to the usual seaside attractions - it's contemplative without being grim, and far quieter than anywhere else in central Scarborough.

If you're camping at Scarborough Camping and Caravanning Club or Prospect House Farm Glamping, this is genuinely worth the short drive into town. Pair it with a walk along the seafront afterwards, or use it as a quieting moment between busier activities. It works particularly well on a rainy afternoon when the usual beach spots feel uninviting.