Things to do in Flamborough: Sea air, chalk cliffs and coastal East Yorkshire charm

Tucked just north of Bridlington, this charming village and its surrounding headland can often sneak under the radar. Which, to be quite honest, is actually part of the charm.

Whether you’re looking for your next family day out in East Yorkshire, planning a salty weekend away, or want a longer scenic stay, here’s a list of things to do in Flamborough to really help you make the most of it.

Head to see Flamborough Head Lighthouse

You’ll find yourself drawn to Flamborough Lighthouse almost instinctively. It’s been standing proudly on the East Yorkshire coastline since 1806, watching over the vast North Sea with calm authority.

You can’t currently venture inside the lighthouse due to a modernisation project, but that hardly matters. Standing in front of the towering beacon as the salty breeze tangles your hair and whips your cheeks is already impressive enough. On a particularly clear day, the sea beyond it seems to stretch on forever.

There’s a gift shop nearby too, and a welcoming family run restaurant, ideal for warming cold hands around a coffee and letting little legs have a breather while you admire the magnificent coastal views from the terrace.

Visit Bempton Cliffs for a spot of puffin watching

If you’re lucky enough to be visiting Flamborough in the spring and summer months, then a short drive up the coast to Bempton Cliffs is a must. This RSPB reserve is one of the best places in the country to see puffins from land. In fact, you’ll find around half a million enchanting seabirds here between March and August, gliding across the breezy landscapes, swooping towards the sea to catch their dinner, or nesting on the craggy, chalky cliff faces.

There’s something undeniably joyful about puffin watching, especially with your little ones in tow. Their clumsy charm is utterly captivating, and the overwhelming amount of birdlife here is something you really feel as well as see.

Binoculars will be useful here, but not essential. Even without them you’ll be wrapped up in the spectacle!

Wander through Danes Dyke Nature Reserve

For something a little different, head to Danes Dyke, a whimsical nature reserve tucked between Flamborough and Bridlington.

Meandering through Danes Dyke feels like seeing glimpses of different worlds all in one place, the landscape changing before your very eyes. You’ll start by winding your way through secluded ancient woodland, where ash, elm, lime, beech and sycamore trees flourish on the edges of a ravine, providing cool shade for your adventure. Before you know it, you’ll be greeted by the wide open clifftops, with the seemingly endless sea to one side, and arable fields to the other, all of which are managed with wildlife in mind. And finally, you’ll wind down to the beach, where the chalky cliffsides tower above you, and the calming sea laps gently on the shore.

It makes for the perfect adventurous family day out in Yorkshire, but make sure to wear appropriate shoes… You’ll thank yourself when you come across a particularly steep ascent, or a wet and slippery slope!

Spend time spotting seals

Few things spark instant excitement quite like spotting seals in the wild in your very own country. And Flamborough is one of the best places on the East Yorkshire coast to do it.

Head down to coves like North Landing and Thornwick Bay for the chance to spot them from cliff-top paths, or by exploring the rocks at low tide. You might just see them bobbing about in the water, or lounging lazily on the rocks like they own the place. As they should, of course.

It’s easy to become overwhelmed with excitement if you’re lucky enough to see one up close, but make sure to be responsible and give them plenty of space. Binoculars or a camera with a good zoom will help!

Walk along the Flamborough cliff trails

One of the absolute highlights of Flamborough is, without a doubt, walking the clifftop trails, where you’ll be greeted with stunning views of dramatic chalk rock faces, mysterious wave-cut caves, and sweeping sea panoramas, with popular circular routes like the Flamborough Head Circular, and longer options too.

The real beauty here is that you don’t have to commit to a huge hike. Wander for ten minutes or for two hours. Do a full circuit, or turn back whenever you fancy. Either way, you’ll still feel satisfied that you’ve done something, and seen something beautiful along the way too.

Just make sure to have waterproof and windproofs at the ready. Even on the sunniest of days, the Yorkshire coast can keep you on your toes!

Discover something new at the Living Seas Centre

If you want to add an extra little dose of learning, inspiration and hands-on fun to your family day out, then make sure to book an event with the Living Seas Centre.

Discover what lies beneath the waves on the East Yorkshire coast, uncover the mysteries of the night sky, embark on a guided tour of the rocky shore in search of weird and wonderful marine life, make recycled colourful crafts from seaglass found on Yorkshire’s beaches, or do your bit for the wonderful wildlife by joining in with a beach clean. It really does feel like the opportunities here are endless.

Visits and activities must be pre-booked on the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust website, so make sure to plan ahead for an inspiring little addition to your day.

Tuck into some fish and chips, obviously

Okay, this one is essential.

Make sure to grab some fish and chips from one of the local chippies, find a nice spot overlooking the water, and tuck into one of the most quintessentially British delicacies just how it should be tucked into – slightly hunched over, with one eye on the sneaky seagulls, and a sea breeze wafting the smells of salt and vinegar through the air.

And it’ll taste even better if you’ve earned it after a long, cold, coastal walk.

Hunt for crabs on the rocky beaches

If the tide is right, Flamborough’s rocky shoreline soon becomes a miniature world of discovery. Arm yourself with a bucket, a spade, and a little bit of patience, and you can spend a surprising amount of time crouched on sand, peering into shallow pools, and hunting for tiny scuttling crabs, dinky little shells, and other mysterious little sea creatures.

And it’s not just little ones with curious minds who can get stuck in. It’s one of those rare activities where adults end up just as invested as the kids, so get ready to whisper excitedly together over each new discovery.

Just remember to be gentle, keep an eye on the tide, and return everything exactly where you found it.

Find a souvenir to take home

Before you head home, it’s well worth popping into The Headlands Gift Shop, a treasure trove where you can find everything from beach-day essentials, lighthouse memorabilia, thoughtful souvenirs, and plenty of fun trinkets that will serve as a lovely reminder of your day on the Yorkshire coast.

Browsing the shelves soon becomes an activity in itself, especially with curious little ones who’ll stand ogling at every quaint fridge magnet, shiny beach ball, and musical wind chime. It’ll become surprisingly easy to lose some time in there, and even easier to cave into picking up a little keepsake.

Take in the views at Flamborough Head Golf Club

Even if golf isn’t on your agenda, Flamborough Head Golf Club deserves a mention for its incredible clifftop setting alone. The course has been carefully moulded around the contours of the cliffs that form Flamborough. And, needless to say, it is surrounded by magnificent views.

If someone in your group fancies a round, it’s definitely a memorable place to play. Just don’t be surprised if the scenery steals away your attention from the game!

Stay the night (you’ll be glad you did!)

Flamborough is truly best enjoyed when you don’t rush it. Staying overnight allows you to experience the area early in the morning, when the sun starts to rise and everything standing on the clifftops is nothing more than a silhouette, or at golden hour, when the coast feels quiet and the light adds an extra layer of magic to everything.

There are several camping and glamping options near Flamborough, from family-friendly campsites to cosy pods and coastal glamping spots, where you can fall asleep with fresh sea air in your lungs and wake up to the quiet sounds of the coast.

If camping isn’t your thing, there are also charming guesthouses and pretty little holiday cottages dotted around the area, or even a Haven Holiday Village, if you’d like to go all out.

And trust me, giving yourself that extra morning to wake up slowly with a coffee in hand and the sea breeze just outside the window makes all the difference after a busy adventure.

Do nothing at all (arguably the best bit!)

Potentially one of the very best bits of Flamborough is… doing absolutely nothing. Sit on the cliffs. Admire the waves rolling in. Watch the kids run around. Let conversations wander. Allow time to stretch a little.

You’ll soon remember how good it feels to truly slow down.

By Ashton Gibbs

Image credits, Ashton Gibbs & Dreamstime