💸 Grantley Hall at £800 a Night - Worth It or Madness? Plus Distillery Secrets and Oktoberfest Chaos

Hi Scarborough friends! 🌟 Here’s your weekly update.

Luxury or lunacy? That’s the debate as Grantley Hall once again makes headlines for charging more than £800 a night. With Michelin-starred dining, a spa, and polished interiors, it’s a treat that divides opinion.

Closer to home, Scarborough’s pubs are rolling out Oktoberfest celebrations complete with German beer, bratwurst, and quirky contests. Meanwhile, Filey’s Kite Festival is preparing for its biggest year yet, filling the skies with colour and fun for all ages.

For something a bit different, the Whitby Distillery Tour is fast becoming a must-do. You’ll learn how award-winning gin is crafted, hear local legends, and enjoy a guided tasting. Perfect for gin lovers or anyone curious about local flavours.

Keep reading to explore the full mix of events, live music, and activities happening this week

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📍 Scarborough in Brief - Community Updates 📰

Would you splurge on a night at one of Yorkshire’s most expensive hotels?
Just outside Ripon, Grantley Hall is known for its MICHELIN-starred dining, full spa, and luxury interiors-with prices to match. It’s over £800 per night. Would you Splurge? Take a look and let us know.

🍺 Oktoberfest lands in Scarborough pubs
From Sept 12 to Oct 5, three Scarborough pubs are serving up steins of Löwenbräu, German snacks, live music, and quirky contests like yodel-offs as part of Marston’s UK-wide Oktoberfest celebrations. Find out more

🪁 Filey Kite Festival set to soar.
The biggest Filey Kite Festival yet takes off on September 20-21 at the Country Park, featuring displays, workshops, a Teddy Bear drop, and the Filey Food Festival alongside. Free fun for the whole family. Event details

🍸 Do Something a Bit Different in Whitby
Looking for something beyond fish and chips and seaside strolls? The Whitby Distillery Tour offers a behind-the-scenes look at how small-batch gin is made - complete with a botanical masterclass, stories of local folklore, and a tasting session of award-winning spirits. It’s a great way to experience a different side of Whitby, especially if you’re a fan of gin (or just like a good story). Designated drivers don’t miss out either - they get a mini bottle to take home. Learn More

Make it a full day and take a look around the Abbey and the Captain Cook Museum.

🚌 New bus links Scarborough, Pickering, and Malton
A new hourly X28 service now connects Scarborough with Pickering and Malton, alongside a 126 route serving Ryedale School. Cheaper saver tickets are available, plus connections with Scarborough’s open-top buses. See details

🐠 Rainy Day? Sea Life’s a Safe Bet
If the weather turns, Sea Life Scarborough is a reliable option, offering an indoor experience, family-friendly activities, and rescued seals, penguins, and ocean tunnels to explore. Avoid the queues, get your tickets here.

👻 Scarborough Ghost Walk continues through the chill
As the nights grow colder and the winds pick up, the Scarborough Ghost Walk remains on. Wrap up warm and brave the haunted streets for eerie tales after dark. More info

🎣 Fish & Chips Challenge at Catch 55
Catch 55 is daring locals to take on their massive fish and chips challenge. Can you clear the plate? Few have succeeded, but glory (and bragging rights) await. Join the challenge

🏴 Scarborough Council limits flags on civic buildings
Scarborough Town Council has voted only to allow "British heritage flags" on civic buildings - including the Union flag, St George’s, and Yorkshire flags - sparking debate about diversity and symbolism. Full story

🚉 Scarborough’s record-breaking station bench
On September 30, rail enthusiasts will test how many people can fit on Scarborough station’s 139-metre bench, the longest in the world. Expect costumes, history, and plenty of seats. Read more

🛍️ New Look store closures hit Scarborough
Fashion chain New Look has announced 13 UK store closures for 2025, including Scarborough’s Brunswick Centre branch shutting on September 17. It follows years of decline on the high street and landlord disputes. Full list

🔥 Mayor praises Langdale Moor fire response.
Scarborough’s mayor and local farmers have hailed the heroic efforts of fire crews battling the devastating Langdale Moor blaze. Officials warn the fire is contained but not entirely extinguished, urging caution. Read more

🚆 MP blasts ‘farcical’ coastal transport
Scarborough’s MP Alison Hume slammed poor rail links between York and Scarborough, calling current services a “farce.” Despite demand for a twice-hourly service, improvements aren’t expected until 2028. More

Readers' Choice: Most Visited Links from the Last Issue

1. 🏴 Scarborough Council Debates Flag Rules

2. ⛺ Glamping pods and barns with plenty of space to unwind

3. 🏭 £42m Schneider Factory Opens in Scarborough

🎟️ Events, Activities & Live Music 🎾

We keep it short here - head to our EVENTS PAGE for full descriptions and links.

Mon, 15th Sep

08:00 🧘 Morning Meditations - South Bay Beach, Scarborough
11:00 🎶 Scarborough Spa Orchestra - Suncourt, Scarborough Spa
11:00 🎨 Mushroom Magic Mosaic Workshop - Scarborough Mosaic Workshop
14:00 🧘 Shuttleworth Yoga - Esplanade, Scarborough
14:00 ☯️ Tai Chi - Filey Evron Centre
14:00 🎤 Karaoke Night - The Turks Head, Scarborough
18:00 🥁 LoveFit Pound! - Alexandra Community Centre, Scarborough
18:00 🌅 Beach Yoga & Swim - Hunmanby Gap Beach
18:45 💪 Empower Fitness & Dance - Queen Street Central Hall, Scarborough
19:00 💃 LoveFit Doozy - Alexandra Community Centre, Scarborough
19:30 🎙️ Open Mic Night - The Ramshill, Scarborough
19:30 🎭 Earth Angel by Alan Ayckbourn - SJT, Scarborough
19:45 🎼 Scarborough Spa Orchestra - Grand Hall, Scarborough Spa
20:00 🎵 Folk Club - The Merchant Irish Bar, Scarborough

Tue, 16th Sep

09:00 💼 Business Advice Drop-in - YCE Centre, Scarborough
10:30 🪦 CWGC Tour - Woodlands Cemetery, Scarborough
11:00 🎶 Scarborough Spa Orchestra - Suncourt, Scarborough Spa
13:15 🧵 Sewing Group - Gallows Close Centre, Scarborough
14:00 💃 Line Dancing - Alexandra Community Centre, Scarborough
14:00 🎨 Weekly Art Session - Robin Hood's Bay Studio & Gallery
18:00 🌊 Tuesday Sea Swim - Filey Coble Landing Slip
18:30 🥋 Wing Chun Kung Fu - Alexandra Community Centre, Scarborough
19:00 🎤 Open Mic & Pool Night - Indigo Alley, Scarborough
19:30 🧠 Quiz Night - The Merchant Irish Bar, Scarborough
19:30 🎭 Earth Angel by Alan Ayckbourn - SJT, Scarborough

Wed, 17th Sep

10:30 🧶 Knit and Natter - Gallows Close Centre, Scarborough
11:00 💃 Circle Dancing - St. James Community Hall, Scarborough
11:00 🎶 Scarborough Spa Orchestra - Suncourt, Scarborough Spa
13:30 🎭 Earth Angel by Alan Ayckbourn - SJT, Scarborough
14:30 🎹 Howard Beaumont's Music Afternoon - Suncourt, Scarborough Spa
17:00 🎲 Board Game Night - Flights & Fancy, Scarborough
18:00 🥊 Blitz Combat Cardio - Typhon Martial Arts, Scarborough
18:45 💪 Empower Fitness & Dance - Queen Street Central Hall, Scarborough
19:00 ❓ Wednesday Quiz & Rollover Jackpot - The Ramshill, Scarborough
19:00 💃 Scarborough Dine and Dance - Ocean Room, Scarborough Spa
19:30 🎭 Earth Angel by Alan Ayckbourn - SJT, Scarborough
19:45 🎼 Gala Night Concert - Grand Hall, Scarborough Spa
20:00 🎷 Scarborough Jazz at the Spa Pub - The Spa Pub, Scarborough
20:30 🧠 Wednesday Quiz Night with David - Craft Bar, Scarborough

Thu, 18th Sep

10:00 👶 Milkshakes Playgroup - Alexandra Community Centre, Scarborough
10:30 ☕ Howard Beaumont's Coffee Dance - Ocean Room, Scarborough Spa
12:00 🤝 Business Networking & Social - Sitwell Library, Woodend
18:30 🎨 Weekly Art Session - Robin Hood's Bay Studio & Gallery
18:45 💪 Weekly Fitness Sessions - Queen Street Central Hall, Scarborough
19:00 🥁 LoveFit Pound! - Alexandra Community Centre, Scarborough
19:00 🎸 Rock Night - The Rammy, Scarborough
19:00 🎱 Free Pool Thursdays - Cayton Playing Fields Association
19:30 🎶 Live Music - Ebberston Village Hall
19:30 🎭 Earth Angel: Alan Ayckbourn - SJT, Scarborough
20:00 🎸 An Evening with Alastair James - Crescent Lounge, Scarborough
20:00 🃏 Poker Night - Marley's, Scarborough
20:15 🧠 Pub Quiz - The BellyRub, Scarborough
20:30 🎙️ Open Mic Night - The Merchant Irish Bar, Scarborough
20:30 🧠 Quiz Night - Highlander Hotel, Scarborough

Future Events

🎉 Want to see what’s coming up? Our EVENTS PAGE features a growing list of upcoming events, complete with descriptions and links.

👋 That’s All For Now 🎬

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