Culture & Leisure
Osterode am Harz
The historic areas and industrial buildings
of Osterode am Harz are testimonies to its cultural tradition
and economic history.
Attractive churches, monasteries and museums display treasures
from different eras. These include the Cistercian
monastary in Walkenried, the Eisenstein mine and the clock
museum in Bad Grund, the Kinderlandmuseum, the historical
Konigshutte (iron and steel works) as well as the mining tunnel of
the venerable Scholmzeche/Aufrichtigkeit mine in Bad Lauterberg
which is open to the public.
The Welfen Castle in Herzberg and the townscapes of
Osterode and Bad Lauterberg are places of particular historical
interest which are well worth seeking out.
Buildings from the middle ages contrast with those
from the modern era and all reflect the diversity of the
cultural and economic history of the region.
Many clubs in the villages and towns offer a variety of
leisure and cultural activities. Theatre, concerts,
sports and games, festivals and educational facilities
provide many activities for the discerning visitor.
The Borough of Scarborough
Scarborough
The world-famous
dramatist Sir Alan Ayckbourn is based in Scarborough and has lived
in the resort for a number of years. He has produced some sixty
plays in Scarborough and is the artistic director of the famous
Stephen Joseph Theatre, the town centre theatre where almost all
his plays receive their first performance.
The town also plays host to the annual National Student Drama
Festival, which is held at various venues throughout the town,
including the Stephen Joseph Theatre and the
Spa Complex.
The Scarborough Spa Complex is home to the fabulous Scarborough
Spa Orchestra, the last remaining seaside orchestra in the UK. The
orchestra plays ten concerts every week during the summer
months, playing music from an extensive repertoire of classical and
light music.
The area is also home to a blossoming number of artists working
in a variety of media and boasts several galleries. The presence of
the University of Hull's School of Arts and New Media in the town
helps fuel a vibrant local music and arts scene.
In recent years,
arts, business and education have collaborated annually to produce
'Digital Scarborough' - a celebration and promotion of the town's
digital projects, including a wide range of events from
business networking to film showings and gigs with DJs and VJs.
The town is home to a significant jazz festival each year,
and in the summer boasts the remarkable 'Beached' festival - an
eclectic rock and pop music event which takes place on the
beautiful South Bay beach and features local talent alongside
internationally-known artists.
In 2006, work started on the conversion of the Wood End
Museum - former home to the famous Sitwell family - to
convert it into a creative centre incorporating workspace for
artists and the digital cluster and exhibition
space. Scarborough's iconic Rotunda Museum also reopened
in May 2008 following a a multi-million-pound redevelopment
that has seen it become a national centre for geology.
Whitby
Whitby is famed for the 199 steps leading down from its
magnificent Abbey, upon whose descent you will find yourself in an
historic maritime town, situated just half an hours' drive north of
Scarborough
The town offers a
fine selection of diverse attractions. These include the Captain
Cook Memorial Museum, the Victorian Jet Works, the Dracula
Experience, Pannett Park and Whitby Museum - the
latter offering a cabinet of curiosities from geology to jet
carving, birdlife to bygones and costumes to clocks.
Those fond of the arts will love the spectacular cliff-top
setting of the Whitby Pavilion Theatre,
Food connoisseurs will find that Whitby has it all:
award-winning seafood restaurants, continental delights,
traditional sea-shanty inns preparing locally-cooked produce and
'olde worlde' English tea rooms serving freshly baked pastries and
Yorkshire teas.
Filey
Filey, an Edwardian resort a mere fifteen minutes south of
Scarborough, boats a five-mile stretch of award-winning sandy
beach protected by the rocky grandeur of Filey Brigg, a haven for a
variety of birds and wildlife.
Every generation will enjoy the nature trail
along Filey Brigg as they explore the many rock pools in search of
sea creatures. Surfing, fishing, yachting, golf, walking and bird
watching are just a few of the activities which Filey has to
offer.
Award-winning gardens complement the resort's natural heritage,
especially along the elegant Crescent. The colourful history
of Filey can also be viewed by paying a visit to the local museum.
Delve into the past and experience recreations of rural life.
A firm favourite for visitors is the annual Filey Festival, a
week-long look at life in bygone days, including strawberry teas
served by ladies in period costume, Punch and Judy shows, barrel
organs, brass bands and processions.