Central Tramway cliff lift in Scarborough town centre keen to stress it is still operational

Manager Colin Powell stated: “Central Tramway is still very much open for business, and we look forward to transporting our customers between the foreshore to the cliff top over the autumn and winter periods.

"While we do have a period where we do close to conduct essential preventative maintenance, we will continue to inform people through our website and social media platforms with dates for this work.

“Central Tramway does hope the Spa lift re-opens to the public as soon as safely possible and are happy to support where possible".

Built in 1881, the Central Tramway in St Nicholas Street adjacent to The Grand Hotel, was the third such cableway to be built in the town following the pioneering cliff lift at The Spa which was the very first in the country.

The Central Tramway has the particular acclaim as Britain’s oldest surviving cliff railway company with the original corporation still operating the business today.

Following the establishment of The Spa Cliff Lift in 1875, Scarborough would develop a wealth of funicular railways with four other such tramways built over the subsequent decades, the Central Tramway being the only other one to survive to the present day.

The other three funiculars were Queens Parade Cliff Lift (opened in 1878, ceasing operation in 1887), St Nicholas Cliff Lift opened in 1929, closed in 2007 and now a cafe) and North Bay Cliff Lift, opened in 1930, its use ending in 1998, the infrastructure dismantled and presently with the Launceston Steam Railway in Cornwall. 

Introduced By Central Tramway in 2025, Scarborians are offered a Resident’s Partner Card that gives 50% discount on all fares.

Timetables as to operating days/times are available on the company’s website.

The Spa Cliff Lift on the Esplanade has been inoperative since August.

Visit centraltramway.co.uk for further details on the Central Tramway Company.