It was a fashionable northern spa.

It became very popular during the English Civil War,as its water was used by Yorkshire gnetry besieged in Scarborough Castle as a cure for scruvy!

The town had an old part, based around the harbour ,and a newly built area- Newborough - for the many visitors who came to take the waters.

It was critisied in the mid 18th century for its lack of attractions( and its northern,East coast climate made promenading difficult- unlike Bath.)It's visitors needed attractions to amuse themselves while taking the cure,if it was to survive.

They did have an assembly room,and eventually (after a period of supression) a theatre.-the Theatre Royal which opened from June to October.The Duchess of Rutland was the theatre's patron.

By 1797 there were two circulating libraries in the twon.

But by 1768 it concnetrated not so much on taking the waters,but on seabathing....and as we all know a little sea bathing sets one up for life!By 1813 there were 40 bathing machines available for use.

It was overtaken by Harraogate as "the" place to take the waters in the North..Harraogate,set in the beautiful scenery of the Yorkshire Moors had many parks and walks,which Scarborough lacked.

Here is a link to modern day Scarborough.Click on points on the map and you can see differnet parts of the town.

So basiclly the party had gone on to Scarborough to enjoy themselvles at the seaside,taking the waters,seabathing and visitng plays and assemblies.

I hope this helps.