My Top 5 Beaches on the Yorkshire Coast

Beaches are one of the few places where I feel at complete ease with life and the world around me. I love the simple activities of finding tiny fish in rock pools and eating chips from a cone. You can never go wrong with a beach day even in the snow it’s just nice to be beside the seaside.

5. North Bay, Scarborough. 

There are two large beaches at Scarborough but North Bay is the only one that allows dogs in certain areas during the school holidays because of this it was packed. The long, sandy beach at North Bay is backed by sea defences, an esplanade, hills and cliffs.  It has a distinctly wilder feel than the more commercialised South Bay area. Rocky outcrops at the north end of the beach become cut off at high tide, so anyone planning a rock pooling trip, needs to check tide times before setting out. The food choice is great for quick hot dog and chips which definitely satisfies the kids.

4. Filey Brigg, Filey Bay. 

Filey Brigg is technically a country park, but if you walk along the cliff and if your brave enough, down the edge of the cliff. When the tied is completely out you will get to Filey Brigg where many people like to do some sea fishing, rock pooling and pool diving. The beach runs from the Brigg at the northern end to the cliffs at Reighton. Roughly five miles of sand. At low tide, the beach is over quarter of a mile wide. The southern end is quiet and a favourite place for families and dog walkers alike.

3. Selwicks Bay, Flamborough Head. 

Selwicks Bay lies on the Flamborough headland, set in a bay at the foot of high cliffs this sand and pebble beach stretches for around 3/4 mile. As the tide goes out a rocky shoreline, with many rock pools, is revealed. This beach is dog friendly all year round and is fabulous for bird watching as its part of the Bempton Cliffs owned by the RSPB. Cormorants, kittiwakes, razorbills and even puffins can be spotted by those who know what to look for.

2. Thornwick Bay, Flamborough Head.

This small bay is located on the north coast of Flamborough Head. The beach is mainly rocky with a few caves and a magnificent sea arch in the cliffs. This bay is great for rock pooling, crab catching and paddle boarding when the sea is calm. This is another dog friendly beach all year round and Sitting at the top of Thornwick Bay beach is a gorgeous spot for a picnic. There’s plenty of benches or you can just sit on the grass.

1. North Landing, Flamborough Head. 

This small, picturesque beach is flanked by stunning chalk cliffs, which are backed by grassy hills it is by far my favourite beach in this area and I have been back time and time again. It is situated in a natural cove on the north side of the Flamborough headland, about 7 miles south-east of Reighton. The beach here is a mix of soft sand and pebbles.  At low tide this can be a good place to hunt for marine wildlife in the rockpools, although care must be taken as the rocks can get very slippery.

In summer the beach is used by bathers and snorkelers, despite the lack of any lifeguard presence.  The beach can be accessed from the reasonably-priced car park at the end of the B1255.  Toilets and a café can be found here. The descent to the beach from the car park is quite steep and may be difficult for those with mobility problems.