Grand Hotel

The largest hotel in Europe when it opened in 1867 — a Victorian colossus above the South Bay

The Grand Hotel dominates the Scarborough skyline as it has since 1867, when it opened as the largest hotel in Europe and one of the largest buildings in the world. The building is a massive Victorian confection in yellow brick, with four towers, ornate ironwork, and a scale that was intended to impress — and still does.

The hotel continues to operate, though its condition and ownership have varied over the decades. Even if you are not staying, it is worth walking up to the terrace in front of the building for the view over the South Bay, which is one of the classic Scarborough vistas. The building is Grade II* listed. Anne Brontë died here in 1849 and is buried in St Mary's churchyard below the castle — a pilgrimage point for Brontë fans.

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A story
The Grand Hotel was designed with elaborate Victorian symbolism: four towers representing the four seasons, 12 floors for the 12 months, 52 chimneys for the 52 weeks of the year, and originally 365 bedrooms — one for every day. The architect was Cuthbert Brodrick, who also designed Leeds Town Hall. Sigmund Freud stayed here; so did Anne Brontë, who came to Scarborough hoping the sea air would help her tuberculosis. She died at the hotel in May 1849 at the age of 29.