Scarborough - Crowded beach looking towards buildings. Part of Box 145 Boswell Collection - East Coast. Scarborough is a town on the North Sea coast of North Yorkshire, England. Historically part of the North Riding of Yorkshire, the town lies between 10?230 feet (3?70 m) above sea level, rising steeply northward and westward from the harbour on to limestone cliffs. The older part of the town lies around the harbour and is protected by a rocky headland.