Yorkshire Coast Day Trips

Chalk cliffs, sandy beaches, seabird colonies, and traditional seaside towns — all within easy reach of the cottage.

The East Yorkshire coast runs from Flamborough Head in the north to Spurn Point at the mouth of the Humber, offering a striking variety of landscape along its length. Dramatic chalk cliffs give way to the soft clay of the Holderness coast, where erosion constantly reshapes the shoreline. Seabird colonies, quiet beaches, and unpretentious seaside towns make the coast a natural companion to the inland walks and countryside around the cottage.

Flamborough Head

Flamborough Head is where the Yorkshire Wolds meet the sea, and the result is spectacular. The chalk that forms gentle, rolling hills inland becomes sheer white cliffs at the coast, with sea caves, arches, and stacks carved by the waves. It's some of the most impressive coastal scenery in eastern England.

Two lighthouses stand on the headland. The older one, a chalk tower dating from 1674, is one of the oldest surviving lighthouses in England. The Victorian replacement, still operational, can be visited during summer opening hours.

A circular walk around the headland covers about 7 miles and takes in both lighthouses, North Landing (a sheltered cove where fishing boats launch from the beach), and South Landing (another attractive cove with rock pools). The clifftop path is exposed and dramatic — keep children and dogs well back from the edge. Shorter walks are easy to arrange using either landing as a starting point.

Bempton Cliffs

Just north of Flamborough, Bempton Cliffs RSPB reserve hosts the largest mainland seabird colony in England. Between April and August, the 400-foot chalk cliffs are packed with nesting gannets, guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes, and puffins. The sight and sound of thousands of seabirds wheeling, diving, and squabbling on the cliff ledges is one of England's great wildlife spectacles.

The reserve has well-maintained viewing platforms along the cliff edge, a visitor centre, and a car park (free for RSPB members). Binoculars improve the experience significantly, but the birds are close enough to see well with the naked eye. Puffins are present from April to mid-July; gannets stay longer, into September.

For more detail on the area's birdlife, see our birdwatching guide.

Bridlington

Bridlington is the nearest seaside town to the cottage, roughly 30 minutes' drive. It's a traditional English resort with a sandy beach, a harbour, a promenade, and the usual seaside diversions — fish and chips, amusement arcades, and ice cream. It doesn't pretend to be anything it isn't, and on a sunny day it does what it does well.

The harbour is worth a wander. The fishing fleet still operates, and you can buy fresh crab and lobster from stalls near the quayside. The old town, set back from the seafront, has the Bayle Museum and the priory church of St Mary — both more interesting than you might expect.

Bridlington's north beach is the main bathing area. The south beach is quieter and more interesting for walking. Sewerby Hall and its gardens sit on the clifftop north of town.

Filey

Filey, about 45 minutes north of the cottage, is a quieter alternative to Bridlington. A long, wide beach curves beneath modest cliffs, and the town behind has a gentle, unhurried feel. Filey Brigg, a rocky headland at the northern end of the bay, marks the end of both the Yorkshire Wolds Way and the Cleveland Way — walkers arriving here have covered 79 miles or 109 miles respectively.

The beach is excellent for families: shallow water, firm sand, and rock pools at the Brigg end. The town has good cafes, a few independent shops, and a pleasantly old-fashioned atmosphere.

Hornsea

Hornsea sits on the Holderness coast, about 30 minutes south-east of the cottage. The town is small and unpretentious, with a beach backed by clay cliffs and a pleasant promenade. The main attraction beyond the beach is Hornsea Mere, the largest freshwater lake in Yorkshire, which sits just inland and is excellent for birdwatching.

The Hornsea Freeport outlet shopping centre draws visitors, and the town's cafes are a good stop for lunch. The beach walk north towards Mappleton is a pleasant stretch with wide views.

Spurn Point

Spurn is one of England's most remarkable natural features — a narrow spit of sand and gravel stretching 3.5 miles into the mouth of the Humber estuary. Managed by the National Trust as a nature reserve, it's a hauntingly beautiful place, especially out of season when you might have the entire spit to yourself.

The walk to the end of Spurn and back takes about 3 hours. Along the way you pass abandoned military buildings, a disused lighthouse, and the Humber Pilots' station. Birdwatching is outstanding, particularly during spring and autumn migration. Rarities turn up regularly, drawing birdwatchers from across the country.

Spurn is about 50 minutes' drive from the cottage. The road can flood at very high tides, so check conditions before visiting.

Planning a Coastal Day

A typical coastal day trip from the cottage might combine two destinations. Flamborough Head and Bridlington work well together — walk the headland in the morning, then have fish and chips in Bridlington in the afternoon. Bempton Cliffs and Filey make another good pairing, with seabirds in the morning and a beach afternoon.

Spurn Point is far enough south to deserve a full day. Combine it with a stop at the atmospheric village of Easington or the coastal town of Withernsea on the way.

For other day trip ideas, see our East Yorkshire attractions guide or our family days out guide.