Scarborough, North Yorkshire—Scarborough is celebrating the return of its iconic beach huts, a vital component of the town’s tourism. After two devastating landslides, they were restored to their former Edwardian glory.
The 11 beach chalets on South Cliff, part of a crescent of 22 beneath the Clock Café, were irreparably damaged by the landslides in 2018, leading to their demolition the following year. Thanks to a £580,000 project by the North Yorkshire Council, these wooden chalets have been meticulously restored, their multi-coloured doors brightening the landscape above South Bay.
Beach huts first appeared on Scarborough’s North Bay in 1911, with those on South Bay constructed shortly after, between 1911 and 1912. Originally, bathing machines were prevalent along the British coast in the early 1900s, but the outbreak of war led to beach closures. When the beaches reopened, the public’s love for seaside holidays was rekindled, spurring the popularity of modern beach chalets.
“Rebuilding these chalets means we have restored an important part of Scarborough and adds to the £7.2 million restoration scheme at South Cliff Gardens,” said Councillor Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire Council. “Together with the chalets we own in Filey and Whitby, they are a big part of our tourism offer, popular with locals and visitors.”
Councillor Richard Maw, ward member for Weaponness and Ramshill, expressed his enthusiasm for the project: “I am super delighted to see the opening of the new beach chalets on South Cliff, which look amazing. They mirror the original huts while simultaneously providing improved facilities. I am certain that locals and tourists will find these new chalets very much to their liking and are a welcome investment to the South Cliff area.”
The reopening of the chalets is particularly timely as Scarborough approaches its 400th anniversary as a tourism resort in 2026, marking it as the UK’s first seaside resort. “Beach chalets are a crucial part of the seaside visitor experience, and these new builds can rightly be celebrated,” added Councillor Maw.
Scarborough boasts 35 chalets, with an additional 170 in Whitby and 36 in Filey, all available for weekly and daily rentals. The restoration of South Cliff Gardens, which took two years and was completed in March of last year, was supported by grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund. The project included improved access to the gardens, the restoration of the Italian Gardens, Holbeck Clock Tower, and Italianate Steps, and enhanced access to the Spa buildings and Scarborough’s promenade.
The huts’ renovation was a component of a £580,000 initiative. The wooden chalets have been refurbished to complement the original Grade II listed structures, complete with their vibrant doors enhancing the scenery overlooking South Bay.
