The Spa

In the 1620's Thomasin Farrer, wife of one of Scarborough's leading citizens, discovered springs emerging from the cliffs on South Bay. The waters tasted slightly bitter and were rich in magnesium sulphate (epsom salts). The waters quickly acquired a reputation for curing minor ailments and this started Scarborough's rise as a spa resort. In 1700 the first spa(w) house was built but this was buried by a landslide in 1737. New buildings were constructed and the popularity of the spa continued to grow during the rest of the century despite frequent damage from storms. After a particularly severe storm in 1836 the spa was rebuilt again in typically flamboyant Victorian style and included a Joseph Paxton designed concert hall. During the latter stages of the nineteenth century the popularity of the mineral waters declined but by then the Spa buildings had developed into one of the top music hall attractions outside of London.

In 1876 the buildings were gutted by fire and the existing grand hall, theatre and buffet were opened in 1879.

Spa Cliff Lift

The cliff lift next to the spa opened on the 6th July 1875 and was the first funicular railway in Great Britain. By 1888 it was carrying 250,000 passengers a year but reached its peak in the 1945/46 season when it transported 1.2 million passengers. 

It was originally powered by seawater which was pumped to the top station to fill the upper car. When the breaks were released gravity took the heavier car to the bottom (which was then emptied of water), and hauled the lighter car to the top. 

Beach

The beach at South Bay has long been popular with tourists and even now, on a hot day in June it will be packed with sun worshippers and bathers. However crowded beaches are nothing new as can be seen from the late Victorian and Edwardian photographs below. It was also, arguably, the first place in Britain to have bathing machines.