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Scarborough

A very well-known seaside town in North Yorkshire, Scarborough has always been a popular destination for visitors. For me, it was a significant place as it formed part of a long distance training ride when I was a keen bike racer, as a ride taking in Scarborough would be a major challenge being 100 miles long, including countless hills; the seaside town was the half-way point. I would ride it non-stop, which meant I never got to see the various sights there. Now, being a keen photographer, visiting Scarborough means that I can spend time there to create images of the attractions on offer in and around this town, rather than see it as a location that indicates my training ride has fifty miles still to go!

Scarborough has a long history, offering a multitude of potential subjects for photography; and being nestled in North Yorkshire, is the perfect spot as a base to explore this amazing area. Locations close by include Bempton Cliffs, famous for gannets and puffins, photographs of which feature in other pages in this album, and the nearby town of Whitby, to name just a few.

1. 30 July 2025, Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/160sec @ f/6.8, ISO 100.

We start with photographs taken from Oliver’s Mount, a location that overlooks the town. This view is quite well known, with the harbour area and Scarborough Castle visible, with the main town in the foreground.

2. 30 July 2025, Leica SL(601), Apo-Telyt-R 400mm f/2.8 , 1/500sec @ f/2.8, ISO 100.

Going in closer here, with a view of some of the buildings in the town, at the lower right section of this photograph we have the very distinctive Grand Hotel. The towers remind me of diving bells!

3. 30 July 2025, Leica SL(601), Apo-Telyt-R 400mm f/2.8 + 2x Apo-Extender-R (effective focal length 800mm), 1/250sec @ f/14, ISO 250.

A view of the harbour area.

4. 30 July 2025, Leica SL(601), Apo-Telyt-R 400mm f/2.8 + 2x Apo-Extender-R (effective focal length 800mm), 1/250sec @ f/5.6, ISO 250.

Scarborough Castle.

5. 30 July 2025, Leica SL(601), Apo-Telyt-R 400mm f/2.8, 1/500sec @ f/2.8, ISO 100.

6. 31 July 2025, Leica SL(601), Summicron-R 50mm f/2, 1/125sec @ f/11, ISO 100.

Scarborough Castle, with a dramatic view of the cliffs below.

7. 31 July 2025, Leica SL(601), Summicron-R 50mm f/2, 1/200sec @ f/4, ISO 100.

8. 31 July 2025, Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8, 1/200sec @ f/4, ISO 100.

Scarborough harbour area.

9. 31 July 2025, Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/1600sec @ f/2.8, ISO 100.

The 13-pdr naval gun located at the end of the pier, a piece of WW1 history, with the Grand Hotel in the background.

10. 31 July 2025, Leica SL(601), Summicron-R 50mm f/2, 1/320sec @ f/3.4, ISO 100.

The sheer scale and immense size of the Grand Hotel really is something else; when it opened in 1867, it was the largest hotel in the world, and the largest brick building in Europe.

11. 31 July 2025, Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8, 1/250sec @ f/4, ISO 100.

A view from the harbour looking towards Oliver’s Mount, which can be seen in the trees in the distance; where I was stood a day previous to take a photo of the harbour.

13. 31 July 2025, Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8, 1/50sec @ f/6.8, ISO 12500.

A variation on the obligatory beech hut photo; I took this one at just after 9pm, and even in fading light the colours really stand out.

14. 31 July 2025, Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 19mm f/2.8, 1/40sec @ f/3.4, ISO 1600.

15. 31 July 2025, Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8, 1/40sec @ f/3.4, exposure compensation -2.3 stops, ISO 20000.

Last photo of the day I think!

12. 31 July 2025, Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8 + 2x Apo-Extender-R (effective focal length 200mm), 1/250sec @ f/6.8, ISO 100.

Here we see the cliff railway.

16. 30 July 2025, Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 19mm f/2.8, 1/80sec @ f/3.4, ISO 100.

Oliver’s Mount. Located on a hill on the edge if the town, it offers fantastic views of Scarborough and beyond; as evidenced by the photographs further up this page. The tower itself is a war memorial, and sits on the route of the motor racing circuit that the hill is most famous for.

17. 30 July 2025, Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 19mm f/2.8, 1/125sec @ f/3.4, ISO 100.

We are now at the Mere Country Park, which is passed by competitors racing on the Oliver’s Mount circuit. This is a bit of a hidden gem in Scarborough and perfect for a bit of peace and tranquility (if there is no racing taking part of course!).

18. 30 July 2025, Leica SL(601), Summicron-R 50mm f/2, 1/60sec @ f/8, ISO 100.

Some of the residents of the lake.

19. 30 July 2025, Leica SL(601), Summicron-R 50mm f/2, 1/60sec @ f/4.8, ISO 100.

20. 30 July 2025, Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 19mm f/2.8, 1/50sec @ f/11, ISO 100.

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21. 31 July 2025, Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8, 1/100sec @ f/8, ISO 100.

No doubt lovers of Scarborough will like this photo! This is in the grounds of St Mary’s Church, located near to the castle.