The Spa, Scarborough

The Spa is a music and entertainment venue in South Bay combining Victorian architecture with modern facilities. The complex features the Grand Hall with sea views, a Victorian Theatre seating around 550 people, multiple rooms for dances and social events, and various conference spaces.

Natural spring waters were discovered beneath the cliffs in the 17th century, leading to the construction of the first Spaw House in the early 1700s. The site later developed into a full entertainment complex designed for theatre and musical performances.

The venue regularly hosts performances by the Scarborough Spa Orchestra and serves as the main stage for the annual Scarborough Jazz Festival. These events bring visitors together across its different halls and shape the musical life of the town.

The venue is easily accessible along the South Bay seafront and visits are most enjoyable during fair weather. All the different spaces are accessible to visitors with mobility needs, and the main entrance is clearly signposted.

A historic cliff tramway was built in 1875 to carry visitors up from the beach to the complex and still operates along the original route today. This early transport system is one of the oldest of its kind in Britain and shows how the Victorians solved the challenge of steep terrain.

Location: Scarborough

Architects: Joseph Paxton

GPS coordinates: 54.27570,-0.39746

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:53