Scarborough town is located on the North Sea coast in Yorkshire, on the edge of the north York Moors. The town is about 30 to 70 meters above sea level, with limestone cliffs on the sea side. A rocky headland protects the harbor and is the location of the older part of Scarborough.

Founded around 966 AD by a Viking raider, Thorgils Skarthi, it was known as Skaroaborg. In the 4th century, there was a Roman signal station on the headland. Evidence of Bronze Age and Stone Age settlements have also been found.

Today, Scarborough is one of the most popular sea resorts. There is also a castle and the grave of Anne Bronte, the novelist, who died here in 1848. The railway connects Scarborough to York and to Hull on the Yorkshire Coast Line.