Dog poo at a seaside town in Yorkshire has sparked scathing criticism from some visitors. The traditional resort town of Scarborough boasts sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs and an elegant Victorian esplanade. But despite its charms, some claim the location has been spoiled by dog fouling, with a number of complaints appearing on Tripadvisor.
One reviewer, commenting under the name Fran S in January, said she visited Scarborough for two days. “I was very disappointed to be dodging dog poo,” she said, adding that it became a “bigger issue” at night when “you couldn’t see it until it was too late”. The reviewer urged the local authority to do something to catch the culprits. North Yorkshire Council has been approached for comment.
Another reviewer, posting from an account named loopy1407 in September, said the beach was the only place “not covered in dog mess”.
This reviewer added: “The town itself is littered with dog poop absolutely everywhere you walk. And all you see is kebab shops, takeaways and hairdressers amid the many, many closed-down shops and rundown areas.”
The same reviewer asked how Scarborough could be so “rundown and filthy” when 30 minutes away is Bridlington, which they said “is incredibly clean” and “tourist-focused”.
Fellow reviewer Chrissie S wrote on the same platform in August: “What has happened to Scarborough? We were saddened to see the amount of street litter and c***** shops – there was nothing good on offer except one little gem of a fossil shop on the way into town.
“Why did people stop caring about this place, and the locals that live there? Why aren’t they giving their council hell about the state of the town?”
Another reviewer, writing from an account named ITTS in July, praised Scarborough’s coastline, “fantastic” beaches and “well-maintained” gardens.
But they claimed the town “has a general feeling of decay”, adding: “Of particular note is the proliferation of seagulls nesting in many of the buildings just up from the beach, particularly around the grand hotel.
“It’s so overpopulated with gulls and hatchlings, screeching and flying around, that it’s akin to some sort of horror movie. Bird droppings everywhere – just really gross.”
While a minority of reviews (58) rate Scarborough as “terrible”, the vast majority describe the town as “excellent” (2,197), according to Tripadvisor.
Reviewer, Julia L, posting in August, said the town is an “amazing” and “lovely” place, offering “everything you could wish for”, including boat trips, trams to the sea front and “charming” alleys full of shops.
The DINKs, posting a review in the same month, said they had a “great day out” but said Scarborough is a “typical cheap” seaside town that was “very crowded”.
Garfield S wrote in April: “Scarborough beach is a great English seaside beach that offers everything you’d want for a traditional day out by the coast. The beach itself is clean and spacious, perfect for relaxing walks or building sandcastles with the kids.
“One of the highlights is the abundance of fish and chips shops – crispy, hot, and best enjoyed with a sea breeze and a view of the waves.
“There are also plenty of arcades along the seafront, providing classic fun with slot machines, claw games, and more for all ages.
“Whether you’re there for a family day out or just a nostalgic visit, Scarborough has that classic seaside charm.”
