Walk 3 - Peasholm Park and Glen
Distance: 1.36 Miles
Duration: 30 minutes
A short but lovely and fully accessible walk around the oriental themed Peasholm Park, taking in its lake, glen, waterfalls and woodland. A must-see when visiting Scarborough.
Difficulty Level
EASY. Accessible, short and flat for the most part, the paths through the glen do rise gently in most places but there is a slightly steeper section near Peasholm Glen Bridge.
Parking
Pay & Display parking is available at the northern end of the park near North Bay Railway and along the North Bay seafront. There is also free on-street parking on the northern side of the park, with a disc zone in force on the southern side. Discs are free and available from local shops and accommodation providers.
Wheelchairs / Prams?
This is a perfect route for prams and wheelchairs. Note there is a slightly steeper section towards Peasholm Glen Bridge but the route has no steps for its entire duration.
Family Friendly?
This is a perfect family walk with great views of the lake, waterfalls, ponds and woodland. There are lots of squirrels and you may even see a Heron fishing in one of the ponds.
Start
This walk begins in front of the cafe opposite the bandstand but you can start anywhere by the lake. Facing the island, follow the path round to the right, keeping the lake to your left. Follow the path right round the entire lake until you reach the famous Well. As you make way round you'll notice lots of information about Peasholm Park on a series of boards close to the kiosk. Seasonally, dragon pedal boats are available for hire too and there are concerts in the bandstand. The island is open seasonally to explore.
The Well
Once you reach the well, you will want to follow tradition by throwing a coin at the bell. See if you can make it ring. Money is collected for local good causes. At this point, avoid crossing the bridge directly in front, instead turn right, keeping close to the pond.
Oriental ponds and gardens
There are a number of ponds with waterfalls cascading from one to another. There are picnic benches, always plenty to squirrels and pigeons to feed and some rare trees in some beautiful woodland. Peasholm Park has an oriental theme and there are plenty of themed structures around the whole park. Keep following the path along, keeping the ponds to your left.
Peasholm Glen
Soon, the path reaches a bridge. Cross it and then turn right. From here you are walking up the magnificent Peasholm Glen with its wonderful waterfalls and trees which look spectacular at any time of year. Various paths sprout off the main route but in general just keep the stream and waterfalls close by. Eventually, close to Peasholm Glen Bridge (a large road bridge which towers over the glen), the path splits into two. At this point turn right up the slope towards the bridge. The path takes you underneath the bridge and within a few hundred yards you reach the turnaround point of the walk; the ornamental pond.
Back to the lake
You can venture further into the Dean Road Cemetary with its war graves and Secret Garden, but our walk follows the same path back down the glen towards Peasholm Park Lake. When you eventually reach the ponds, this time keep to the right, so on the opposite site of the ponds. The path meanders its way back towards the main lake. From there you walk the bit of the lake you missed at the beginning, thus completing a full circle of the lake and, assuming you didn't stop, you've seen it all in just half an hour!
Visit Scarborough Tip
Pack a picnic and enjoy lunch on one of the many nature-inspired picnic tables in Peasholm Glen close to the cascading waterfalls. And if its open, have a walk round the island itself to see the beautiful Pagoda and Japanese garden. And why not plan your visit to coincide with the famous Naval Warfare show which takes place on certain summer afternoons.
