The Oakwheel
Historic inn with its own private parking
About this hotel
The Oakwheel occupies a historic building a few kilometres outside central Scarborough, with Peasholm Park 4.7 kilometres away, Scarborough Open Air Theatre 3.9 kilometres and Scarborough Castle 6 kilometres, positioning it as a drive-in rather than walkable base for Alpamare. Private parking on site removes the North Bay parking hunt entirely, a genuine advantage for families driving in each day. The family-friendly restaurant serves British cuisine with vegetarian and gluten-free options for lunch and dinner, and the garden and bar give evenings a relaxed, traditional-inn feel. Rooms include private bathrooms, free WiFi and work desks. It closes as a practical drive-in option for families who would rather have guaranteed parking than a shorter walk.
- Private parking included
- Historic setting
- Family-friendly dining
Our take
This suits families driving to Alpamare who would rather have guaranteed private parking than fight for street parking closer to North Bay. The historic setting and family-friendly restaurant add real character, though the several-kilometre distance from Peasholm Park and the castle means every Alpamare trip involves a drive rather than a walk, which matters for anyone hoping to leave the car keys in the room for the whole stay.
- ✓Use the private parking rather than assuming you need to book elsewhere, since it is a genuine on-site amenity here.
- ✓Eat at the on-site restaurant after an Alpamare day to avoid an extra drive back into Scarborough for dinner.
- ✓Plan roughly a fifteen to twenty minute drive each way to North Bay when scheduling your water park days.
Why we love it
- Free private parking on site
- Historic building with character
- Family-friendly restaurant with dietary options
- Garden and bar for relaxed evenings
Why guests love itWe booked The Oakwheel specifically for the guaranteed parking after reading about North Bay's street parking squeeze in summer, and having our own space to pull into after a tiring Alpamare afternoon made the short drive completely worth it. The restaurant's gluten-free menu meant one dinner out without extra planning for our daughter, and the garden gave the kids somewhere to play before bed.