Our Spring break holiday in 2025 took us to Scarborough, where we stayed at the Cumberland Hotel from Friday 28th March to Monday the 31st. We had a very warm welcome on arrival from the pleasant staff , and this continued throughout our stay. Our group totalled 24, and on Friday afternoon Martin Jones arranged a 3 mile tour of this large town and surroundings, to get our bearings.

The weather forecast for the whole week-end was looking really good, and Saturday morning was sunny and breezy. Two walks were on offer, the longer walkers went to Flamborough Head for a 9.5 mile walk, and 7 members took part in the 6 mile walk, led by Martin, to Raincliffe Woods, a short drive away. These woods and the neighboring Forge Valley Wood form part of the largest community managed woodland in England, covering 548 acres. It is a nature reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and is being transformed to restore the ancient woodland, and there was evidence of the work being done all around, as we followed the marked trails, initially down to Throxenby Mere for a drinks break, before continuing to climb back into the woods to a height of 750 m overall. Plenty of bird song could be heard on our route. Lunch break was taken in a clearing with a picnic table, before we headed downhill on the paths back to the cars, and then to Scarborough

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Sunday was another beautiful day, and the whole group walked towards the railway station, to wait for the service bus to take us to the start of the walks. The longer walkers were heading to Robin Hood's Bay, and the 9 in Martin's group left the bus at Cloughton for the 8.75 mile walk. From here we took a lane that would lead us to the coastal path known as the Cleveland Way . Wonderful views here at this height as we watched two rabbits chasing each other across the hills. The path here was lined with gorse bushes, and with the sun already warm, the smell of coconut created by this plant was very strong. To our left we had, way below at the edge of the sea, the rock formation like a pavement across the sand. There were several places where severe erosion had taken place, and parts of the cliff had tumbled down over the rocks, and as it was very windy we took care to stay away from the edge !

We continued walking along the coastal path until we reached a flight of steps that would take us down onto the promenade, with its brightly coloured beach huts, past the pristine beach, already busy. We were heading to our lunch break in Peasholm Park. This is an amazing oriental themed area, opened in 1912, with attractive gardens, cafe, boating lake with a pagoda, bridges, waterfalls and woodland, reminiscent of the China Garden in Biddulph Grange ! The lake is surrounded by tiers of seating, so this is where we stopped to eat and enjoy the sunshine. Afterwards we walked through the wooded area , with very tame squirrels running around, to pick up paths which would take us back to roads leading to our original starting point in the town

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Monday morning meant leaving the hotel, and most of the group had plans to visit other places in the area, before returning home. Another very successful holiday with thanks to the leaders, Martin, Brian and Derek who with Maryvonne, Bridget and Steph arrived on the previous Wednesday to recce walks in advance, a brilliant service once again !
Gillian Gibbons