The Story of Scarborough's Aquarium & Gala Land

Exploring the history of another of North Yorkshire's lost attractions - Scarborough Aquarium & Gala Land. A key part of establishing Scarborough & the Yorkshire coast as one of the UK's premier seaside holiday destinations.

Once known as the People's Palace and closed for the final time over 50 years ago, this video details its fascinating history as an underground world of wonder & curiosity, before showing what is left today of the groundbreaking structure!

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[BigWingUK]

I thought Gala Land was such a magical place when I visited it as a kid in the 50's and 60's. We had a caravan nearby so we visited Scarborough regularly in the summer months. I was a choir boy, so I once participated in the weekly "Kids' Talent Contest" in the theatre in Gala Land - singing "Loving Shepherd of Thy Sheep". I won the daily heat, but came second in the final to a girl in a kilt performing some Scottish dancing.

[jonchapman]

I think I must have been one of the last visitors to Gala Land. It would have been around 1965, aged 10, when I was mooching around one late afternoon while my parents were visiting an elderly family friend up the cliff lift at the top of St Nicholas Cliff. I had escaped the boring conversation for an hour or two and was surprised to discover an amusement arcade where I had thought none existed. I remember it as empty, run down and full of old and rather decrepit attractions. I did go on the 'rollercoaster', played on some very old fashioned arcade games, and was rather excited to discover a 'What The Butler Saw' penny Mutoscope - something of an anticlimax! There were even some dodgems, though being the only driver was not especially thrilling! I spent a couple of shillings of holiday pocket money and then headed back to find my mum and dad. The following year when we returned for our annual holiday visiting my grandparents, the arcade had closed. Even though ist was rather tired and run down, it had an exotic and rather magical feel to it.

[Springline]

Hi Andrew, Your video of the demise of Galaland has cleared my memory at last . I was born in 1943 and must have been 7, 8 or thereabouts when I was taken to Galaland, and it left indelible memories which your video has cleared up ! How many people can say they rode on the mini railway inside Galaland.. I remember it being elevated and it seemed (as a child) to track almost in the ceiling.
My grandfather ( a butcher, cattle dealer and then farmer) used to allow his wife an annual trip to Scarborough, from Lincoln, for their ANNUAL days holiday. Can’t remember with whom I was taken, but certainly went more than once.
I could never be sure exactly where I remembered this mini railway, but now you’ve confirmed it for me. Well researched, thank you, now my mind can rest that Galaland DID exist, and I’ve been there and seen it.
I’m 80 years old now, but those memories are still vivid.

[allthingsandyb]

Lovely video Andrew. My Grandma was Scarborough born and bred, she sadly left us in 2020 at the age of 100, she used to tell us of the attractions that could be seen throughout the South Bay on our regular walks in the area so it was lovely to see it all, thankyou!

[rachelwalker]

Fascinating video, extremely well researched and presented. The abandonment of entertainment venues in Scarborough seems to be a recurring theme over the years.

[thewoodenhouse]

I remember being taken to Gala land as a small child just before it closed, my grandad worked on the site during the demolition and he had a small collection of the victorian tiles that he brought home in his dinner bag.

[yorkshirecoastadventures]

Well researched and presented.
It's great, as a local, to learn a bit more about our history.
So many attractions have closed down in Scarborough, even in my half century of life.

[MoldaiTroy]

This video explains so much. The underwater scenes decoration of the underground walk-ways through the roundabout at the side of Beachcomber café makes perfect sense now.

[rositaallen]

A magical place ! I remember it well, with the talent contests held there, palm readings, a man who guessed our weight and many other amusements which took place. I was there 75 years ago.

[wendyransome]

I just visited an exhibition in The Shakespeare Rooms last week about the Aquarium. Very interesting and it’s something I had never heard of before. I think it definitely deserves a permanent place to display what few photographs are available documenting its history.

[wildbillharding]

This is excellent work. I remember seeing Benny Hill in Scarborough in the late '50s and I'm pretty certain the show was in Galaland. My Mum remembered listening to live music there after World War 2.

[malcolmrichardson]

Engrossing and enjoyable video, of what was by all accounts, a key part of Scarborough's entertainment infrastructure, now sadly buried under a gloomy car park. Well done for bringing it to light!

[grahamdavidcowley]

I remember this well as a young child. Got stuck down there once in a thunder storm. The water came flooding in! It was just a fair - under - ground by then.

[shinkicker]

I've been holidaying in Scarborough since I was a child in the late 60s and had no idea about this. Thanks for the video. It is a gem.

[juliebutton]

I found this video absolutely absorbing, so well researched and presented. Brought to life the memories spoken about by my Mother and Father and their siblings about the wonderful times they had spent at Gala Land. Dad was born in 1921 and Mum 1923, sadly no longer with us but they, and many elderly local residents that I used to speak to, had such very fond memories of their times here. I remember it being it being cleared and the building of the underground car park. Sadly I don't ever recall going in it, I was born in 1958 so may have done as a little one but no memory of it. Thank you so much for all the work you have put into producing this.

[kennethprobst]

I remember going to Gala Land on frequent occasions as my family stayed with my Aunt and Uncle in Devonshire Drive from mid 50's to the 90's. I especially remember the 3 Legged Duck along with other oddities as well as the Pump Action rifles the only place I have used them. Brilliant memories. Keep up the good work.

[Simon_Nonymous]

We both live in sunny Scarbados, and loved this. We knew nothing of the Aquarium even though we've walked over its remains many, many times. You have created a professional piece of work, and it was fascinating to watch. But at least Scarborough does have a 'hole in the road' even if Sheffield lost its.

[rodkennedy]

Just discovered this channel and must say even though I don’t remember this venue I always wondered about the underground car park’s history and surmised it had been repurposed in some way!

[mlowbridge]

Been there many times and would have never known the history of this place if you didn’t make this excellent video.
Yet again we’ll worth the wait, thanks

[carltaylor]

As a Londoner Scarborough is one of my favourite places to escape to. I first visited c1970 when I was v young. This is a brilliant piece of amateur documentary-making. I'll be viewing your other films with interest. Keep up the great work!