Scarborough is the perfect base from which to explore the stunning Yorkshire Coast. From dramatic cliffs towering over 600ft above the North Sea, to coastal villages where houses cling to the cliff, between which you can get lost in a maze of narrow streets filled with the echoes of smuggling. Busy resorts like Whitby & Bridlington, wide sweeping bays like Filey Bay, dramatic chalk cliffs at Bempton and Flamborough all await to be discovered. Here's some ideas to get you started...
Just 3 miles south of Scarborough, Cayton Bay offers a wide sandy beach and is very popular with families, dog walkers and surfers. There is ample parking above the cliff and there are toilets and the Salty Dog Cafe for refreshments and beach accessories. There is also a surf school based at Cayton Bay.
Hayburn Wyke is a secluded coastal gem on the North Yorkshire Heritage Coast, located between Scarborough and Whitby. It is famous for its unique combination of woodland meeting the sea, featuring a double waterfall that cascades directly onto a rocky, pebble-filled beach
Robin Hood's Bay is a historic fishing village and former smuggling haven on the North Yorkshire coast, situated within the North York Moors National Park. Known for its steep, winding cobbled streets and 18th-century architecture, it marks the eastern terminus of the Coast to Coast Walk.
Filey is a charming, traditional seaside town in North Yorkshire, England, known for its peaceful atmosphere and historic Edwardian character. Located between the busier resorts of Scarborough and Bridlington, it offers a more relaxed pace of life focused on natural beauty and simple coastal pleasures.
Whitby is a historic seaside town in North Yorkshire, England, famously split by the River Esk and set against the dramatic backdrop of the North York Moors. It is widely celebrated for its rich maritime heritage, Gothic atmosphere, and as the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
Flamborough Head is a prominent, eight-mile-long chalk headland on the Yorkshire coast of England, known for its dramatic white cliffs, significant seabird colonies, and two historic lighthouses. It is a popular destination for nature lovers, walkers, and history enthusiasts.
With its stunning location and panoramic views over the dramatic Yorkshire coastline, the castle will be the pinnacle of your visit to Scarborough. Experience 3,000 years of history, play on the grassy headland, and grab a take away coffee from the coffee shed.
Staithes is a picturesque, historic fishing village in North Yorkshire, England, nestled in a steep ravine within the North York Moors National Park. Known for its narrow, cobbled streets,, and,,tightly packed, coastal cottages, it was once one of the North East's largest fishing ports and is now a popular tourist, artist, and fossil-hunting destination.
Sandsend is a tranquil, picturesque village on the North Yorkshire coast, located just north of Whitby. Known for its expansive sandy beach, fossil hunting, and scenic coastal walking, it offers a quieter alternative to nearby towns. It is a popular, dog-friendly (with restrictions) "foodie" spot featuring quality cafes, restaurants, and stunning, direct views of Whitby Abbey.
Hunmanby Gap is a secluded, sandy beach located south of Filey in North Yorkshire, known for its tranquil atmosphere, dramatic cliffs, and dog-friendly, year-round access. It features a popular cliff-top café and a large, paid parking area, making it a "hidden gem" for walkers and families seeking a quieter alternative to nearby Filey.
Ravenscar is a dramatic clifftop village in North Yorkshire, England, perched 600 feet above the North Sea between Scarborough and Whitby. Known as "the town that never was," it is a former Victorian seaside resort project that failed, leaving behind a quiet, scenic location famous for its seal colony, rugged coastline, and historic Peak Alum Works.
Bridlington is a classic British seaside resort on the East Yorkshire coast, renowned for its two expansive sandy beaches, a historic working harbour, and its status as the "Lobster Capital of Europe"
Bempton Cliffs is home to England's largest mainland seabird colony. Located on the Yorkshire coast between Bridlington and Filey, this RSPB Nature Reserve is famous for its 400-foot chalk cliffs that host nearly half a million birds during breeding season.
The cliffs just north of Robin Hood's are steep and spectacular! The area, known as Bay Ness can be accessed on the Cleveland Way from Robin Hood's Bay, or from Whitby a few miles up the coast.
Saltwick Bay, located one mile east of Whitby in North Yorkshire, is a secluded, dog-friendly, northeast-facing beach known for its dramatic scenery, fossils, and shipwrecks. Accessible via a steep footpath from Whitby Holiday Park, it features sand and rock, providing excellent opportunities for rock pooling, fossil hunting (ammonites/belemnites), and viewing wrecks like the Admiral von Tromp.
Kettleness is a remote hamlet and clifftop destination in North Yorkshire, situated between the popular coastal villages of Runswick Bay and Sandsend. Known for its dramatic history and rugged beauty, it is a key point on the Cleveland Way National Trail. In 1829, the original village of Kettleness dramatically slid into the sea due to coastal instability caused by alum quarrying.
Scarborough
As a holiday destination, Scarborough
really does have it all; dramatic cliffs and castle headland, award-winning beaches, historic harbour, great family attractions, booming town centre, huge choice of accommodation and a warm Yorkshire welcome to match. Scarborough's proximity to Dalby: Yorkshire's Great Forest, The North York Moors National Park, the Wolds and the dramatic scenery of the Yorkshire Coast makes Scarborough a perfect base from which to explore this most diverse region of Britain.
