Scarborough 400
Scarborough 400 is the 400th anniversary of the discovery of spa waters in the coastal town.
The celebration takes place in 2026, with more details set to be revealed soon.
In 1626, a respectable Scarborough lady called Mrs Thomasin Farrer saw that water flowed from spring into the South Bay.
The stones in the spring’s path turn a shade of coppery brown.
Thomasin drinks the water and found it to be beneficial to her health.
She spread the word, and as a result Scarborough is thought to be the first coastal spa to garner national recognition.
Later, Dicky Dickinson was appointed to control and charge admission to those who ‘took the waters’.
Dicky bottles and sells the waters, gave medical advice, and even created crude toilets nearby!
He governed the Spa as it then was for 40 years.
In 1826, a company is formed with the intention of developing the Spa and in 1827, the Spa Bridge opens.
In 1836, a storm damages the existing Spa buildings (designed by Henry Wyatt).
Sir Joseph Paxton (who designed the famous Crystal Palace in London) submits plans in 1857.
Fire later destroys Paxton’s Grand Hall in 1876, replaced in 1879 by Verity and Hunt.
Many additions and refurbishments take place over the years.
The famous Spa Cliff Lift opens in 1875 (called the South Cliff Tramway) and was Britain’s first funicular cliff lift.
What Are the Spa Waters Made Of?
A mild aperient and tonic, the waters are analysed upon their discovery, and were thought to help with kidney and skin disorders.
Other ailments that could be helped included dyspepsia, and rheumatism.
Iron is present, an aid to anaemia.
An analysis revealed:
Sulphate of magnesia, chloride of magnesia, carbonate of lime carbonate of iron, sulphate of lime and chloride of soda were apparent in varying degrees.
Dr Wittie of Hull
In 1660, Dr Wittie from Hull became one of the earliest advocates of the virtues of the Spa waters.
He later advertises the virtues of sea-water bathing.
Today we still see the benefits being extolled for cold water swimming, topping up our mineral intakes and getting sufficient exercise … not too far away from these early protagonists!
During the early 1800s, medicinal baths appear, and a Turkish Baths open on the South Bay in 1808.
The Long Room
A Long Room was a place where people could assemble, exchange gossip, and play cards.
Scarborough had its own Long Rooms (testament to how popular the town was becoming to visitors).
The Long Rooms were in the location of the current Royal Hotel.
They were built in 1725 on St Nicholas Street (then called Long Room Street).
The Assembly Rooms also featured in the town, located in Huntriss Row, in the decades that followed.
Previously, the first Long Rooms were in Sandside and Princess Street in the Old Town.
As people flock to the coast, shops and retailers invest in the town, including Solomon Theakston.
The Brontes ‘Take the Waters’
Novelist Anne Bronte, sister to Charlotte (Jane Eyre) and Emily (Wuthering Heights), loved Scarborough.
In 1849, with failing health, Anne’s thoughts turned to the healing properties of the spa water in her favourite seaside town.
While Anne most likely didn’t think she’d be cured, her thoughts of ‘taking the waters’ were supported by Leeds medic Dr Teale.
He said the waters may be of benefit to Anne.
Anne, Charlotte and Charlotte’s friend Ellen Nussey arrive in May 1849.
They stay at Wood’s Lodging, part of the Cliff lodging houses built in 1760 (the Grand Hotel now stands on this site).
Anne takes a donkey ride along the sands and watches the changing skies before passing away in late May.
King Edward VII
In 1871, the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) stays in Scarborough at Londesborough Lodge, and unfortunately contracts typhoid fever, which nearly proved fatal.
While he recovered, investigations showed that poor drainage was probably the root cause.
Find out more about Scarborough 400 here
Further reading
The Crown Spa Hotel Scarborough, 150 Years of Hospitality