Scarborough History : Resort of the National Aristocracy 1666 - 1766

The desire to drink water was something of a novelty. Dr. Wittie of Hull, one of the first advocates of Scarborough's spa, found it necessary to argue at length in its favour, besides drawing attention to the special virtues of the mineral spring. "Can water by the commonest, of other things, and yet the best?" he rhetorically asked. He and others could claim that it was good for epilepsy, apoplexy, catalepsy and vertigo, diseases of the nerves, lowness of spirits, hypochondriacal disorders and unpleasant tumours.

Here was something that could correct the scanty exercise, excess of food and late airless hours which characterised the life of wealthy people in Restoration and Georgian times. As the yearly journey to recuperate at Scarborough became an accepted part of their habits, the town acquired a unique access to the riches of the greatest families of the land. A cistern was put over the spa spring and free use of the water restricted.

A governor was appointed and old women employed to wait on the visitors. Before long the impact of the spa-goers was immense. Old inns grew larger, and began to provide 'ordinaries' - common meals for those staying at the private houses of merchants and traders. Celia Fiennes found that the best lodgings were in the hands of the Quakers.