Scarborough has two surviving cliff railways, or funiculars, which connect the clifftop Esplanade to the beaches below. The Central Tramway, opened in 1881, drops down the cliff face to the South Bay beach in about 90 seconds; the South Cliff Tramway takes passengers from Esplanade to the Spa complex. Both are genuinely Victorian in their construction and operation.
The funiculars are a practical way to get between the clifftop hotels and the beach without the long walk around, and they are also a minor attraction in themselves. The Central Tramway in particular has barely changed since the 19th century. Tickets are cheap — a few pounds each way — and the views across the South Bay from the car as it descends are a satisfying Scarborough experience.