The Yorkshire Coast
Walking in Yorkshire
Walking in Yorkshire is like nowhere else in the world. Hikers and walkers from across the country and further afield flock to Yorkshire to enjoy its unbelievable scenery all year round. From mile-long sandy beaches to craggy clifftops, rolling hills, forests, and moorland, Yorkshire has a walk for everyone.
We always recommend strolling along Filey Beach and enjoying the East Coast Path (Cleveland Way) which runs right through our village, offering rocky cliffs, flower-rich meadows, sandy beaches, and rock pools. There’s also the nearby Cleveland Way, a 109-mile National Trail through beautiful and ever-changing landscapes and scenery. The North Yorkshire Moors National Park and Yorkshire Wolds Way also offer unbeatable walks from hour-long jaunts to day-long scrambles and everything in between.
A Day at the Beach in Yorkshire
The Yorkshire coastline is renowned for having some of the best beaches in Britain, including sandy and shingle beaches, wide promenades, and warm shallow water. From long dog walks to building sand castles with the grandkids, paddleboarding, kayaking, and sunset strolls in the surf, Yorkshire’s coast boasts plenty of beautiful beaches, many of which are only short drives from Anchor Bay holiday cottages.
While staying at Anchor Bay, make sure to check out Bridlington Bay’s award-winning beaches including Fraisthorpe Beach, Withernsea and Hornsea Beaches both of which are about an hour away, and Filey’s own 5-mile long golden sand beach which was recently voted one of the top 6 beaches in the world! The Filey Beach is accessible via a choice of three walks from any of Anchor Bay Cottages / lodges and all traffic free!
The Bay is available to access using cars (plenty of parking available) or by public transport having a bus stop right outside the village and being on the main road from Scarborough to Bridlington. There are trains to Scarborough and Filey itself as well. Just google “The Bay Filey” to find its location.
Local Coastal Towns and Villages
Filey
In 2021, Filey Beach was named as one of Europes top 20 beaches and in 2018 Filey won The Sunday Times’ ‘Beach of the Year’. Both came as no surprise to us. With its long stretch of golden sand and picturesque views, it’s the perfect place for friends and family to enjoy a seaside holiday. Close-by to the north, Filey Brigg has some impressive rock pools to explore, where you may even find the odd fossil or two, and also marks the start/end of the Cleveland WayTrail.
Quieter than our other coastal resorts, Filey is the perfect choice for those wanting to enjoy a break away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. Escape for a few days, a week or more as you explore all that the Yorkshire Coast has on offer.
Filey is a vibrant town with lots of shops, cafes, a museum, active RNLI station and a concert hall. There’s plenty to do in and around Filey if you’re looking for a relaxing way to pass the day, or if you need to escape from the rain! Housed in a converted historic farmhouse, Filey Museum is only a short walk from the town centre and is ‘Probably the Best Small Museum in the World!’
With its special mix of friendly animals, birds, gardens and wildlife habitats, Filey Bird Garden and Animal Park is perfect for visitors of all ages, while Playdale Farm Park in Scarborough is great fun for small kids with its farm animals as well as indoor and outdoor play areas.
For older kids, Bondville Model Village in Bridlington and Scarborough Castle are both exciting, interesting, and unique attractions for the whole family, and the Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery in Filey offers tours and tastings for the grown-ups!
Scarborough (8 miles)
Imagine a place where families and friends have visited for years, a home away from home that people have known, loved and keep coming back to year after year.
A place to make memories and enjoy traditional seaside fun, local shops and eateries, beautiful gardens.
This is just part of Scarborough’s charm – as Britain’s original seaside resort, holidays to Scarborough offer something for everyone with two picturesque beaches, numerous exciting attractions and a rich history that is just begging to be explored.
Did you know that the town is home to one of the first purpose-built museums in the world? The Rotunda tells the incredible story of our natural history and the rich fossil-finds on offer across the Yorkshire Coast.
Bridlington (6 miles)
If you’re looking for a leisurely day out, how about visiting the elegant promenades of bright and breezy Bridlington? With its sandy beaches, award-winning promenades and historic harbour, this is a hidden seaside gem awash with kitsch traditional entertainment.
Visit the leisure centre, John Bulls Candy Kingdom, Spa, Theatre, Funfair, amusements and donkey rides on the beach for a traditional British day out with seaside in spades!
Also, whilst you’re in this neck of the woods, why not go and explore Bridlington’s wonderful Old Town or visit Sewerby Hall, garden and zoo
There’s also Bridlington Priory which was founded in 1113 and is now a Grade 1 listed building, Sewerby Hall and Gardens, Flamborough Lighthouse visitor centre, and the Stained Glass Centre in Scarborough, all of which offer interesting insights into the unique history of Filey and the local area.
Flamborough (5 miles)
Enjoy stunning walks, an RNLI lifeboat station, coves, beaches and a clifftop cafe next to the amazing historic lighthouse.
Marked by a stretch of rugged white cliffs surrounding a small village, Flamborough Head is an outdoor lover’s paradise.
The coastline is a great base for bird watching, hiking along windswept paths and sea canoeing around the bay – but only for the experienced outdoor pursuits enthusiast!
With a scenic nature reserve and two ancient lighthouses nearby, this Special Area of Conservation is a haven for anyone looking to explore the Yorkshire Coast at its most wild and untamed. Other nearby towns include Howden and Pocklington.
Nearby there is Bempton Cliffs RSPB reserve – this stunning natural beauty is worth a visit particularly at nesting time.
Whitby (40 minutes by car)
Famous for its connections to Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Whitby has always embraced its association with Gothic culture which is reflected in the town’s quirky streets, shops and Abbey ruins, and of course the annual celebration of the culture – The Whitby Goth Weekend.
When you visit you can explore ornate cobbled paths, locally-owned shops and quirky cafes that give Whitby its intriguing yet welcoming atmosphere, making it a great place to visit. Being by the sea you’ll also get to enjoy classic seaside fun and food with locally caught crab & lobster as well as sandcastle building and walks along the pier! Whitby is also a place for explorers, with connection to the famous voyager Captain James Cook. The great man is immortalised in a monument up on West Cliff, where he can be seen looking out to his favourite place – the sea. You can also learn more about his life and journeys in Whitby at the Captain Cook Memorial Museum. Finally whilst shopping you can find lots of shops selling locally found and jewelled Whitby jet.
Robin Hoods Bay (40 minutes by car)
Probably one of the most photographed locations in the UK, Robin Hood’s Bay is a picture perfect escape for those who are looking to enjoy this quaint little village.
Known for its steep and winding paths, you’ll definitely need to wear your sensible shoes when visiting Robin Hood’s Bay! However as you walk up and down the cobbled streets you’ll find charming cottages, a variety of shops and a selection of cafes – ideal for a pit stop or two! If those steep hills weren’t enough for you, Robin Hood’s Bay is also a great place to enjoy walking and cycling as its part of many popular trails such as The Coast to Coast, The Cleveland Way and The Cinder Track. Due to its maze like winding paths and fishing harbour you can see why Robin Hood’s Bay was once known as a smuggler’s haven! You can even re-live life as a smuggler on one the many tours the village has to offer.
Other Activities / Attractions
Don’t forget there are loads of other attractions, on the coast and a little inland including:
- City of York
- Scarborough Fair Collection
- Sea Life Centre
- Alpamere Water Park
- North Yorkshire Water Park
- Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery
To access more information about these, check out our things to do page.