Adventures in Peggy: Castles, Coastlines and Yorkshire Charm

Our latest adventure in Peggy took us north into Yorkshire, combining one of England's most historic cities with dramatic coastal scenery, fascinating local history and a few hidden gems along the way.

Our first stop was the beautiful city of York. Few places in England can match York when it comes to history. Founded by the Romans nearly 2,000 years ago, the city has been shaped by Vikings, Normans and medieval merchants. Walking through its ancient streets feels like stepping into a living history book.

We spent time wandering through the city centre, admiring the narrow streets and historic buildings that make York so special. Everywhere you look there are reminders of the past, from the city walls to the magnificent Minster towering above the rooftops. Even with plenty of visitors around, York somehow manages to retain its timeless charm.

From York we continued eastwards to the Yorkshire coast and the resort town of Scarborough. While much of Scarborough is known for its bustling seafront and holiday atmosphere, we were particularly drawn to the older parts of the town, where centuries of history can still be found tucked away amongst the narrow streets and alleyways.

One of our favourite discoveries was the wonderfully named Dog and Duck Passage. Hidden amongst the old streets of Scarborough, this narrow historic alleyway seems to transport visitors back to an earlier age. It is exactly the sort of place that makes exploring on foot so rewarding, where every corner reveals something unexpected.

Towering above the town stands Scarborough Castle, one of the most impressive coastal fortresses in England. Perched dramatically on the headland between the North and South Bays, the castle has guarded the coastline for over 800 years. Built by King Henry II in the twelfth century, it offers spectacular views across the sea and surrounding countryside.

One of the highlights of our visit was walking around the footpath that follows the perimeter of the castle grounds. With the sea stretching endlessly below and the wind blowing across the cliffs, it was easy to imagine the generations of soldiers, sailors and townsfolk who had stood in the same spot looking out across the North Sea.

Back down on the seafront, we admired the striking fisherman sculpture which celebrates Scarborough's long connection with the sea. Fishing has been an important part of the town's history for centuries, and the sculpture serves as a reminder of the hardworking communities who made their living from the often unforgiving waters.

We also took a trip to Oliver's Mount, famous throughout the motorcycling world. This unique road-racing circuit has hosted races since the 1940s and remains the only natural road racing circuit on the English mainland. Even when racing isn't taking place, the setting offers wonderful views across Scarborough and the surrounding coastline.

After enjoying the fresh sea air and coastal scenery, it was eventually time to point Peggy towards home. On the way, we made a stop in the charming market town of Howden.

Howden may be small, but it has a fascinating history. The town was once famous for its horse fairs, which attracted traders and buyers from across the region. For centuries, horses were essential for farming, transport and commerce, making these fairs important events in the local calendar.

Dominating the town skyline is the magnificent Howden Minster. Much larger than you might expect for a town of its size, the Minster reflects Howden's former importance and prosperity. Parts of the building date back to the medieval period, and its impressive architecture makes it one of East Yorkshire's hidden treasures. Standing beneath its towering stone walls, it is easy to appreciate why it has been described as one of the finest churches in the region.

After a final wander around the town and a chance to stretch our legs, we climbed back into Peggy for the journey home.

Looking back, this adventure had everything we could hope for: Roman history in York, hidden passages in old Scarborough, dramatic castle views, coastal sculptures, racing heritage at Oliver's Mount and a fascinating glimpse into Yorkshire's past at Howden.

As always, some of the best discoveries were the unexpected ones — a quiet alleyway, a clifftop footpath or a historic market town that many travellers simply pass by.

Until the next adventure,

Peggy and Crew