Emily Cunningham
08 July 2024
If you yearn to get away from it all, head to this stretch of the Yorkshire coast where sea meets sky and nature is in abundance. The calming silence of the coves and bays around Flamborough Head is only punctuated by the call of seabirds from their cliff-top homes and the lap of the deep, navy sea beyond.
Things to do in Flamborough include visiting a historic lighthouse which has played a vital role in maritime life and taking a trip to the local stately home and gardens where you can play lord of the manor. Immersing yourself in the local area is one of the best things about going on holiday and how better to do it than checking out the charming cafes, pubs and restaurants around you?
Flamborough itself has a gentle pace of life, offering the chance to revive your senses and reset your clock. Take a look at our Flamborough cottages and start planning your getaway to this wonderful Yorkshire seaside village.
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Flamborough beaches
Positioned on a headland, Flamborough is blessed with several beaches that wrap around the coast, all linked by a spectacular cliff-top path beloved by hikers. They’re all pooch-friendly, making a trip to the beach one of the great things to do in Flamborough with a dog. The most northerly beach is Thornwick Bay, with crystal-clear water and at low tide, rock pools teeming with life. There’s also a lovely café at the top of the steps with sea views.
This is followed by North Landing, a beach that’s flanked by dazzling white cliffs and has photo-friendly fishing boats. There are caves to explore, and the sandy shore is a great setting for a picnic. Round the corner is Selwicks Bay, which is a steep scramble down from Flamborough Lighthouse, but you may be rewarded by the site of seals basking down below.
At the other side of the headland is the beautiful expanse of South Landing Beach with its white pebbles and soft sand. It’s well worth the 75 steps down and there’s also the Living Seas Centre to explore, a small but fascinating educational hub where you can learn all about marine life.
Good to know
- All of Flamborough’s beaches are dog-friendly with no restrictions throughout the year
- Thornwick Bay has very limited facilities and the nearest car park is around a 15-minute walk away at North Landing Beach
- The address for North Landing Car Park is Flamborough, Bridlington YO15 1BJ
- Parking for Selwicks Bay is at Flamborough Lighthouse, Lighthouse Road, Flamborough, Bridlington YO15 1AR
- Parking for South Landing is at South Sea Road Car Park, South Sea Road, Flamborough YO15 1AG
Flamborough Lighthouse
Standing proudly atop Flamborough Head, the elegant Flamborough Lighthouse is both a historical landmark and a vital beacon, guiding boats safely into the harbour. It’s no longer manned, but flashes every 15 seconds day and night, year-round. If you want to up your step count for the day, you can add 119 for the trip to the top, where the views will make you linger long enough to catch your breath. It's easy to get lost in a reverie as you watch the ever-changing undulations of the North Sea and see the acrobatics of the seabirds as they swoop down to catch fish.
Flamborough Head itself is a site of special scientific interest due to its incredible array of flora and fauna, including rare lichens and algae, as well as the more popular puffins. Check out the Drinking Dinosaur – not a pub, but an arched rock formation resembling a brontosaurus!
A great opportunity to refuel during a visit is at the nearby Cliff End Café that serves a generous English Breakfast all day as well as tasty bacon rolls and toasties. As predicted by the name, the view is very easy on the eye!
Good to know
- Location: Lighthouse Road, Flamborough, Bridlington YO15 1AR
- Opening times: Times vary throughout the year, check their website
- Entry fee: Adults £5.50, under-15s £4.50
- Parking: Car park costs £2.10 for 2 hours
- Stay nearby: Rock Lobster | sleeps 4 + 1 dog
RSPB Bempton Cliffs
Even if you’re not an ornithologist, you can’t help but be bowled over by the spectacle that is RSPB Bempton Cliffs. There’s estimated to be half a million seabirds living in this lofty location, and you can well believe it by the sound (and smell) of it. During the spring and summer months you can expect to see puffins, guillemots, razorbills and gannets all busy living life to the full and raising families.
In the heathland you can also look out for corn buntings, skylarks and linnets, and watch kestrels soar above. As dusk settles, you may be lucky enough to glimpse barn owls coming out to hunt in this stunning coastal setting.There are six safe lookout spots from which to view these feathery marvels, three of which are fully accessible with hard-surface paths. The friendly and knowledgeable guides will help identify the different birds – be sure to bring binoculars for a good view, or you can hire them from the visitor’s centre for £7.
Good to know
- Location: Cliff Lane, Bridlington YO15 1JF
- Opening times: Dawn to dusk, the visitor’s centre is open 9.30am–5pm
- Entry fee: Summer prices: Adults £8, free for 16–24-year-olds, first child goes free, £4 for additional children
- Parking: Free parking is included in the entry fee
- Stay nearby: Owl View Cottage | sleeps 4 + 1 dog
Bempton cottages
Flamborough pubs
You can gauge the feel of a village by its pubs and Flamborough doesn’t disappoint – hearty food and a warm welcome are standard. If you’re looking for a traditional pub atmosphere, head to The Viking in the centre of Flamborough. There are quiz and karaoke nights, while the very reasonable menu offers a good range of tempting dishes. Outside there’s an enormous lawn with picnic benches – perfect for sundowners.
It’s always a good sign when a pub is popular with the locals – get a flavour of life in Flamborough at The Royal Dog and Duck where the community choose to sup. This quaint old pub is dog-friendly (not sure about ducks) and offers homecooked food in generous portions.
There’s stiff competition for the best Yorkshire pudding in this county, but The Rose and Crown is definitely in the running. The Sunday roasts here are worth writing home about and there’s live music at the weekends.
Flamborough restaurants
A day spent enjoying the delights of Flamborough should be rounded off with a special meal out and there’s no need to leave the village to have a top-notch night out. The Seabirds suits all palates as there’s an impressive range of veggie, vegan and gluten-free options as well as tempting, locally caught fish dishes and slow-cooked British beef.
Perched on the clifftops overlooking North Landing Beach, The North Star offers the chance to sample a Neptune’s feast of fish dishes caught in the ocean below. There’s also wild game on offer from the Yorkshire Wolds if you can be tempted away from the succulent steak selection.
The Ship Inn begs you to ‘feast your eyes on our pies’ and they’re hard to resist, with freshly made steak and kidney taking the crown. The comprehensive menu also includes a hog roast stottie served with Yorkshire pudding and roasties – how satisfying after a day in the fresh air!
Flamborough cafes
One of the simple pleasures in life is well-cooked food made with uncomplicated ingredients and Flamborough’s cafés tick these boxes. Behind Copperfields’ unassuming frontage is a diner of exceptional quality offering home-cooked meals at very reasonable prices, including on Sundays when they offer superb roasts.
If you’re all about the baking, make a beeline to Scrumdiddlyumptious where both sweet and savoury treats battle for supremacy. The homemade steak slice is a cut above the chain-store classic and the freshly baked scones are begging to be smothered in jam and cream.
A heartwarming tale of reliving childhood memories lies behind Lighthouse Fisheries, when a family decided to buy the fish and chip shop they loved visiting years previously. Since opening in 2021 they’ve gone on to win ‘Best Newcomer’ in the national fish-frier awards – no doubt the homemade crab cakes made from Flamborough crab helped the judges’ decision.
Flamborough walks
Whether you are looking to get some fresh sea air into your lungs on a bracing coastal walk or fancy a relaxing stroll around a peaceful nature reserve, Flamborough has you covered with a selection of lovely walks to try. For a wonderful wildlife walk follow a pathway through YWT Flamborough Cliffs, a nature reserve on the headland that’s one of the best places on the UK mainland to spot puffins. You can also enjoy seabirds soaring and swooping overhead on a circular walk from Flamborough to Bempton Cliffs. It was named one of Britain’s 100 Favourite Walks in an ITV show with Julia Bradbury so it’s well worth tackling this challenging 11-mile route.
The chalk cliffs of Flamborough Head are perfect for a scenic walk with spectacular sea views but if you’re looking for more of a woodland walk, Danes Dyke is a local nature reserve where you can take a ramble along tree-lined paths before stopping at a picnic table for refreshments. Sewerby Hall can be easily reach on foot and you’ll pass by the Danes Dyke woodland on your way to the stately home and gardens. You can also take a gentle 2-mile walk from Flamborough Head to North Landing Beach where you can spend time exploring a series of sea caves before heading back.
Don’t miss
- Following the 2-mile circular Tree Trail which starts at a display panel in the Danes Dyke car park which takes you through ancient woodland and past the neighbouring beach for the best of both worlds
- Enjoying an 8-mile circular stroll around Flamborough Head to enjoy the best of the area including Thornwick Bay, South Landing and the historic lighthouse
- Walking for 4 miles along a new section of the King Charles III England Coast Path to reach Bridlington where you’ll find beautiful sandy beaches and an array of traditional British seaside attractions
Sewerby Hall and Gardens
Arrive in style to Sewerby Hall and Gardens by taking the land train from Bridlington (it runs from Easter to September and costs £4 for a return) – you’ll get a fantastic cliff-top journey passing Flamborough Head to this stunning location. The folk here have gone the extra mile to make it a day to remember; the history of this exquisite Georgian house is brought to life with plenty of interactive exhibits including dressing up as a servant and chatting with the costumed guides. Throughout the summer there are outdoor performances by lively characters such as pirates and time travellers to engage and entertain the kids.
The grounds are glorious – stroll through the kaleidoscope of colourful floral displays in the walled garden and meander around the 20-minute woodland walk. There’s also a brass-rubbing challenge to complete; it’s heartwarming to see this old hobby revived. You’ll be sure to want to emulate the inventive planting schemes, so swing by the garden centre that also serves as a supported working opportunity for people with learning disabilities. Discover more Yorkshire gardens.
You’ll understand why there are two-day tickets on offer, because there’s so much to do! You can’t miss the zoo with its great selection of beasts from all continents – feeding time is a hoot with the Humboldt penguins diving for fish and the lemurs nibbling their treats. All the animals look happy and well cared for in this charming attraction.
Good to know
- Location: Church Lane, Sewerby, Bridlington YO15 1ED
- Opening times: Check the website for details
- Entry fee: Adults £11.50, children aged 3–15 £7.50 – please check the website as prices change over the season
- Parking: Free parking
- Stay nearby: Skippers Rest | sleeps 12
Map of things to do in Flamborough
Find the best things to do in Flamborough with this useful map:
Places to stay in Flamborough
Rock Lobster | sleeps 4 + 1 dog
Tucked away down the coast from the bright lights of Scarborough, Flamborough focuses on fresh air and natural beauty. When it’s time to head home after a day exploring, you’re spoilt for choice – pick from gorgeous properties in the village or more remote spots where you can really unwind in a rural idyll.
Take a look at our lovely Yorkshire coast cottages and plan your memorable getaway to Flamborough.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.