What's new on the Yorkshire Coast for 2021

Planning where to visit and what to do as lockdown restrictions lift?  With many people looking forward to revisiting favourite UK destinations this year, the Yorkshire Coast is making sure that there are plenty of new things to experience in a place people know so well.

New activities, events and experiences for 2021 – with all details to be found at www.discoveryorkshirecoast.com and all planned within government guidelines - include:

More water activities for all.

Early summer will see the addition of an all-new wake boarding line along with kickers and rails, new café and decking viewing area by the lake, to the already extensive range of water sports offered at North Yorkshire Water Park near Scarborough.  These include: kayaking, the AquaPark, paddle boarding, open-water swimming, and pedalos, along with a complement of land-based outdoor pursuits around the Lakes.  Plus separate fishing lakes for expert and leisure fishing (both trout and course).  There will also be an expanded calendar of events and aquatic activities.

Scarborough’s Open Air Theatre (OAT) is once again playing host to some of the music industry’s biggest stars, with an extended season through to September, including Crowded House on 8 June, Beach Boys 13 June, Ru Paul Drag Race 20 June, Bryan Adams 1 July, Duran Duran 17 September and many more.

Play over 100,000 courses and activities suitable for adults and children at Whitby Golf Club’s new indoor golf simulator.  In the refurbished clubhouse visitors can enjoy a delicious range of homemade cakes from the Willow Branch café, the #1 rated Whitby cafe on Trip Advisor. 

Find your inner calm with Happy Seal Yoga’s Yoga by the Sea classes from Easter.  Stand Up Paddle boarding (SUP) yoga classes will run in June, July and August.

Visit authentic smugglers’ haunts and hear tales of smuggling secrets on the new smuggling related guided walks in and around picturesque Robin Hoods Bay with Bay Town Walks.

Fossil hunting trips, stargazing and bush craft sessions along the Yorkshire Coast with Hidden Horizons, are very family orientated and outdoors. New events and activities for all ages are now being released.  

The Big Dig, 23-25 July, is a community archaeological excavation in Scarborough Old Town, the heart of medieval Scarborough. A Hands on Our Future, Hands on Our Past hub in Scarborough Market Hall will bring together the community excavation and cutting-edge technology to look at Scarborough’s incredible past and its exciting future. There will be a series of exciting activities that budding archaeologists of all ages can take part in. https://bigideasbythesea.com/festival/index.php/the-big-dig/   Big Ideas By The Sea is 16 -18 July.

In July the Great Ryedale Maze will 'crop up' at Sherburn, midway between Scarborough and Malton, offering a field full of fun with two mazes, a Vintage Funfair, Football Darts and a Big Top with live entertainment for families.

New in 2020 but may have been missed because of all the Covid Lockdowns and restrictions:

Stay in Scarborough’s new hotel for adventurers this summer, the beachfront Bike & Boot.  It’s a cosy retreat with uniquely designed bedrooms, a bar-restaurant-café, and everything you need to enjoy the great outdoors, whether you're bringing your dog, bike, surfboard, or simply your sense of adventure.

Taste Yorkshire's first and only whisky in Filey Bay's new distillery, Spirit of Yorkshire in Hunmanby, also voted Yorkshire Best Small Attraction for its behind-the-scene tours which can be pre-booked online.

Brave the Rainforest, a thrilling new family adventure at Scarborough Sealife where you can come face-to-face with Green Tree Pythons, Day Geckos and Poisonous Arrow Dart Frogs.

Let off steam on the new North York Moors Cycleway, a ‘figure of eight’ off-road cycling trail through 200 miles of some of the UK’s most amazing scenery, including a breath-taking section along the coast between Filey, Scarborough and Ravenscar, and with plenty of cycling-friendly accommodation, cafes and tea rooms along the way.

Internationally-loved artist, Emma Stothard has created a series of her popular wire sculptures now installed across Whitby. 

“People have been dreaming about getting back to the seaside, and tourism businesses along the Yorkshire Coast, are working hard to give visitors something new and different to enjoy, as well as ensuring they will feel safe,” says Janet Deacon, Tourism and Culture Manager for Scarborough Borough Council.

For much more information about what’s new to see and do along the Yorkshire Coast this year, to find out more about what tourism businesses are doing to help you enjoy your holiday, or to book your stay, visit www.discoveryorkshirecoast.com or talk to the friendly, dedicated team at the Tourism Bureau on 01723 383636.

Photo - South Bay Scarborough