The Best Places to Visit on the Yorkshire Coast

The Yorkshire Coast is such a beautiful place, and one of my favorite areas in the world. And I would know – I’ve walked the entire thing. My first coastal walk was in January 2018, and by summer 2022 I realized I’d hiked nearly half of the Yorkshire Coast between Saltburn-by-the-Sea and Bridlington. So I set off to finish the entire thing – my last section was in December 2022!

There are public footpaths along virtually the entirety of the Yorkshire Coast between Saltburn and Bridlington. This is part of the new England Coastal Path, which aims to create footpaths around the entire English coast as part of a National Trail. The Cleveland Way and Yorkshire Wolds Way (both National Trails) follow various sections of the coast. These parts of the coast are particularly well-signposted.

After 72 miles, I’ve seen every bit of the coast on my walks. Here are my top picks for the best places to visit on the Yorkshire Coast.

The Top Places to Go on the Yorkshire Coast

Saltburn-by-the-Sea

This pretty coastal town has a nice beach, a Victorian pier that stretches out into the water, and the oldest cliff tramway of its kind in the country. After a stroll along the promenade and the pier – or a dip in the water – you can take the funicular up the cliff and back to the rest of the town.

Looking for hostels? Book here!

Skinningrove

While the town is really just residential housing close to an industrial estate, Skinningrove Beach is one of the best in Yorkshire. The sand stretches for ages, and it’s a perfect spot on a warm sunny day. While there’s plenty of room for everyone, you won’t see the crowds that overwhelm Whitby or Scarborough – it’s more of a local’s place, in the best way. The Skinningrove Charm Bracelets, an art sculpture of pretty charms in a circle, is located just north of the beach along the coastal path.

Boulby

This is a very small village (really just a few sets of houses) on the coast between Skinningrove and Staithes. But in a field just outside of the village, you’ll find a statue of a miner sitting at a table, with a cup of tea and the communications board next to him. The sculpture was built in 2020 to celebrate 50 years of active mining in the area. The best part of this artwork is the informational display on the table, with a map of the area detailing all the underground mines – some right beneath your feet! This is one thing you’ll only see if you’re walking along the coast, so I definitely recommend stopping to see it.

Staithes

Staithes is one of the most picturesque places on the Yorkshire Coast. There’s not much in this little fishing village, but there are two pubs – one of which has an impeccable location right on the water – and a few shops and cafes. The view from Cowbar over the village is one of the best views in Yorkshire.

Runswick Bay

This was voted the best beach in Britain in 2020. While I think there are some pretty incredible beaches in Scotland, Runswick Bay is a great pick for a Yorkshire beach. It’s a quiet place, usually busy with dog walkers when I’ve been. There are a few places for food/drinks if you’re staying the day here – plus you can’t miss the pretty cottage at the north end of the beach, which was the old coastguard’s accommodation.

Sandsend

It’s just down the road from Whitby, but it feels like miles away from the hustle and bustle. There’s a pretty row of Insta-famous cottages in Sandsend, which are worth a photo stop. But the sandy beach here is great if you don’t want to fight the crowds in Whitby. Accommodation tends to be more affordable than Whitby – even though it’s nearby.

Whitby

The gem in the Yorkshire Coast’s crown – Whitby is a wonderful destination on the Yorkshire Coast. It’s popular and gets very busy with crowds, especially on a nice day and during the summer. But there’s a reason for it. You could easily spend a day or a weekend in Whitby and find plenty of things to do to fill your time. Spot the Whalebone Arch, climb up the 199 Steps, and see the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula at the magnificent ruins of Whitby Abbey. There are so many pubs, restaurants, cafes, fish and chip shops, and more – so you’ll really be spoiled for choice here. I recommend Whitby if you want to be close to lots of food/drink options, and want a central base for exploring the Yorkshire Coast.

Read More: A Perfect Day in Whitby

Robin Hood’s Bay

This pretty village is one of my favorites on the Yorkshire Coast. Split between the upper town and the lower town (with a calf-killing walk in between them), Robin Hood’s Bay is one of the best places in Yorkshire. While it might not have the best swimming beach, you can hunt for fossils and take a stroll out along the sand. The Bay Hotel, right by the water, is the traditional end point for the Coast-to-Coast long-distance trail (which starts in St. Bees in Cumbria). There are so many pretty cottages and houses here, too – it’s become very Insta-famous over the last few years.

Ravenscar

There’s not much in the village of Ravenscar – the Raven Hall Hotel dominates this bit of the coast, and there’s a tearoom and a National Trust visitor center. But the real draw is hiking down the cliffs at Ravenscar to see the seal colony! Getting to see so much wildlife, and from such a short distance, is amazing! I highly recommend visiting Ravenscar to see all the seals.

Hayburn Wyke

This pretty waterfall, located between Ravenscar and Cloughton, flows freely into the sea. It’s not very tall, and on the smaller side – you couldn’t swim in the pool, for example. But it’s right on the rocks next to the sea, and worth seeing when you’re in the area.

Scarborough

I couldn’t write about the Yorkshire Coast without mentioning Scarbados, now could I? This is one of the most popular places to visit on the coast, and nice days (particularly in summer) will bring hordes of visitors. It’s much more pleasant to visit this popular seaside resort during the off-season. Don’t miss a visit to Scarborough Castle, perched on a hill overlooking both the North Bay and the South Bay. Literary fans should seek out Anne Brontë’s grave in St. Mary’s Church.

Read More: A Sunny Day in Scarborough

Cayton Bay

Cayton Bay is meant to be one of the best surf spots in Yorkshire – and you’ll likely see serious surfers here year-round. It’s only just down the road from Scarborough, but thankfully sees fewer crowds. I’d recommend the beach at Cayton Bay over Scarborough or Filey in a heartbeat. The beach is long, so even if there are lots of people on a nice day, it shouldn’t feel too crowded.

Filey Brigg

About a mile north of the town of Filey, Filey Brigg is a rocky peninsula that juts out dramatically into the sea. It’s a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its geological importance – and it’s believed that a Roman watchtower was located here before being abandoned around 400CE. Walking out along Carr Naze (the edge closest to the land) and the Brigg (the long stretch of rock at the end), watching the waves and seeing the high cliffs, is a must when you’re at this part of the coast. Make sure to check the tide times before going on the rocks, as it’s not safe on the Brigg at certain times.

Filey

This seaside town is located between Scarborough and Bridlington, just north of the North Yorkshire/East Yorkshire border. The real draw is the 5-mile-long sandy bay that stretches from Filey Brigg south. The beach is so big, it’ll never really feel that crowded – there’s plenty of space for everyone. Glen Gardens and a stroll along the promenade shouldn’t be missed.

Hunmanby Gap

The beach at Hunmanby Gap is just a few miles south of Filey Beach – but it’s much quieter, less crowded, and usually cleaner. This beach doesn’t have as many facilities and attractions as Filey, but it makes up for it with a more peaceful atmosphere.

The North Yorkshire/East Riding of Yorkshire Boundary Marker

This is a small landmark, blink and you might miss it! But if you’re walking the coast between Filey and Bempton, you’ll cross a fence with several posts. This marks the border between the counties of North Yorkshire and the East Riding of Yorkshire. You can stand with one foot in each county! There is no official sign that this fence is the boundary marker, so you’ll need to keep an eye on the map.

Bempton Cliffs

Towering 100 meters above the sea, the white chalky cliffs here are a sight to behold any time of year. But Bempton Cliffs is home to one of the largest seabird colonies in the UK – between March and October approximately 500,000 seabirds nest here. The best time to spot seabirds like gannets, guillemots, and puffins (my favorite!!) is from April to July. I love seeing puffins here – I visit at least once every year now to see them here. The area is an RSPB reserve, which does charge an admission fee if you enter the coastal paths from the car park.

Flamborough Head

Just south of Bempton Cliffs, you’ll find the impressive white cliffs of Flamborough Head. There’s a lighthouse here that’s still active – it dates back to 1806! This is one of my favorite parts of the Yorkshire Coast – there are so many bays and inlets around this peninsula for swimming and exploring. Thornwick Bay might be my favorite. There’s a great coastal loop from Flamborough Head to North Landing, down through the village to South Landing, and back to the lighthouse.

Bridlington

Brid is a coastal town with a long stretch of beach, a pretty promenade, and a large harbor. Sewerby Hall and Gardens is just north of the town, while the sandy beach is south of the harbor. This was the finish point for my Yorkshire Coast walk. There’s obviously another ~40 miles of coast south of Bridlington, to Spurn Point. But very little of this coastal area has public footpaths along the coast – there is quite serious coastal erosion here – so it’s simply not practical to hike.

How I Hiked the Yorkshire Coast

I only decided to hike the coast between Saltburn-by-the-Sea and Bridlington in 2022, after I’d done several different sections. This meant that I had several short sections to complete, bookended by longer sections that I’d already done. Some walks were done as out-and-back routes, some were done as loops, some were linear walks where I’d use public transport one way.

Altogether, I hiked 14 different sections of the Yorkshire Coast, which was approximately 71-72 miles. As one singular hike, my OS Maps app gave a distance of 71.07 miles (114.39km), with 3,292 meters of ascent. Here are all the sections of the coast I hiked, along with the dates that I completed them.

Saltburn-by-the-Sea to Skinningrove – 25 June 2022 (3.77 miles)
Skinningrove to Staithes – 6 November 2022 (4.77 miles)
Staithes to Runswick Bay – 11 April 2021 (3.36 miles)
Runswick Bay to Whitby – 9 October 2022 (7.97 miles)
Whitby to Robin Hood’s Bay – 20 January 2018 (6.72 miles)
Robin Hood’s Bay to Ravenscar – 11 September 2021 (3.22 miles)
Ravenscar to Hayburn Wyke – 19 November 2022 (4.05 miles)
Hayburn Wyke to Cloughton – 22 January 2022 (1.65 miles)
Cloughton to Scarborough – 13 November 2022 (6.10 miles)
Scarborough to Filey – 17 July 2022 (9.25 miles)
Filey to Bempton – 24 July 2022 (9.78 miles)
Bempton to Flamborough Head – 4 June 2020 (5.43 miles)
Flamborough Head to Flamborough South Landing – 29 April 2018 (2.29 miles)
Flamborough South Landing to Bridlington – 15 December 2022 (3.56 miles)

Walking the Yorkshire Coast

Thinking of walking the entire Yorkshire Coast like me? If I could go back in time, I’d divide up the walk differently. This is the itinerary I’d recommend for hiking the Yorkshire Coast over 7 days, doing roughly 10 miles per day. These are all linear walks, using public transportation (trains or buses) to get back to the starting point. You could always park at the further end, take transport to the start of the hike, and then walk back to your car. Alternately, you could ditch your car altogether and do the entire route with public transport!

Saltburn to Staithes: 8.6 miles

Public Transport: Bus X4 between Staithes and Saltburn

Staithes to Whitby: 10.4 miles

Public Transport: Bus X4 between Whitby and Staithes

Whitby to Robin Hood’s Bay: 6.9 miles

Public Transport: Bus X4 between Robin Hood’s Bay and Whitby

Robin Hood’s Bay to Scarborough: 14.6 miles

(You could split this into two days, Robin Hood’s Bay to Ravenscar, and Ravenscar to Scarborough)

Public Transport: Bus X93 between Scarborough and Robin Hood’s Bay

Scarborough to Filey: 9.3 miles

Public Transport: Train from Filey to Scarborough

Filey to Bempton: 8.8 miles

Public Transport: Train from Bempton to Filey

Bempton to Bridlington: 11.3 miles

Public Transport: Train from Bridlington to Bempton

Planning Your Trip to the Yorkshire Coast

The Yorkshire Coast is a great choice for a weekend road trip! I like to take the long way around, so I hiked the whole thing instead of driving. I walked all of the coast as daytrips from where I live in York. Most of the popular places such as Whitby, Scarborough, and Bridlington, are accessible by public transport from York. The Coastliner 840 bus runs from York to Whitby, and there are regular rail services to Scarborough and Bridlington. I recommend booking train tickets in advance on Trainline. Some stations (like Bempton) don’t have ticket machines, so you can either buy a ticket before traveling, or on board. If you’re flying, the nearest airports for the Yorkshire Coast are Leeds Bradford or Newcastle airports. I book flights through Skyscanner.

Planning on staying overnight in York? I’d recommend the following places:

Budget: Safestay York or the Fort Boutique Hostel
Mid-range: Hotel Indigo or Galtres Lodge
Luxury: The Grand

You can book hostels in York here, and check out hotels in York here!

Basing yourself somewhere along the Yorkshire Coast is also a great idea. I’d recommend Staithes, Sandsend, Whitby, or Robin Hood’s Bay. They’re all fairly central for getting around all parts of the coast by car, have multiple dining options for the evening, and have that cute seaside vibe. Use the map below to search!

Booking.com

Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

If you’re looking for a tour that visits the coast, check out the below options!

The weather can be extremely variable on the Yorkshire Coast. If you’re planning on hiking anywhere along the coast, I recommend sturdy hiking boots, a waterproof rain jacket, layers, and plenty of water and snacks. I use the OS Maps app for nearly all my hikes in the UK now – it’s so convenient! You can check out my outdoor gear guide for all my recommendations. If you’re planning to swim anywhere along the coast, please do so safely. For any visits to Bempton Cliffs, I highly recommend a pair of binoculars to spot seabirds – including puffins!

The Yorkshire Coast is an incredible part of the country. With dramatic cliffs and coastal scenery, beautiful sandy beaches, cute seaside villages, and plenty of history, you won’t get bored here. While you might not feel like hiking the whole coast, I definitely recommend a visit to these spectacular places along the Yorkshire Coast! I hope this post helps planning your next visit to the Yorkshire Coast.

Have you visited any places on the Yorkshire Coast? What were your favorite spots?

You might also like my posts:

The Ultimate Yorkshire Guide: 88 Incredible Places to Visit in Yorkshire

The Yorkshire Coast: Staithes and Runswick Bay

Walking From Whitby to Robin Hood’s Bay: One of My Favorite Walks in Yorkshire

A Perfect Day in Whitby

Flamborough Head: Hiking Along the Yorkshire Coast

21 of the BEST Places to Visit in the North York Moors

The Best Hikes in the North York Moors

All of my Yorkshire posts!

Like this post? Pin it for later!