Bridlington to Flamborough Head Coastal Walk

5.9 miles (9.5 km)

Enjoy a wonderful coastal hike from Bridlington to Flamborough Head on the North York Moors coast. It's a great cliff top section of the path with large numbers of seabirds to look out for on the way.... The route runs for a distance of about 6 miles so 12 miles there and back
Walk Report August 23rd 2026 by Greg Parsons
We couldn’t have asked for a better start—it was a nice, clear day when we set out from Bridlington Harbour. Walking along the sandy expanse of North Sands, the morning air was beautifully crisp, and the sun reflecting off the water gave the North Sea a surprisingly turquoise, almost tropical appearance against the horizon. The trail took us past Sewerby and the edges of the golf course, before dropping us into the deep, ancient wooded ravine of Dane's Dyke Local Nature Reserve. The trail gets incredibly steep going down and steep going up as you cross the ravine. Your thighs will definitely feel it on the steps! But the shelter of the woodland canopy and the sudden transition back out to the raw, rugged cliff edges made every ounce of effort completely worth it.
As we pushed on toward South Landing, the true highlight of the day began to unfold. We had heard that wildlife spotters frequently congregate along these paths, and we were absolutely thrilled by what we spotted. Looking down from the high clifftops near the famous "Drinking Dinosaur" rock formation, we used a pair of binoculars and saw dozens of grey seals wallowing on the rock platforms below and playfully bobbing up and down in the surf.
The sheer white chalk cliffs were alive with activity. The skies were filled with an absolute blizzard of nesting seabirds—from elegant gannets performing breathtaking dives into the waves to auks and razorbills. But nothing compared to the absolute delight of spotting a few colourful puffins tucked into the narrow cliff ledges near North Landing.
Watching them frantically flap their wings with their bright orange feet on display was one of those priceless, unforgettable moments.
By the time we reached the iconic, towering Flamborough Head Lighthouse, the coastal winds had definitely picked up, making the final stretch feel beautifully bracing. We wrapped up the trek with a deeply satisfying stop for refreshments at the Headlands Cafe, letting our feet rest after roughly 7 miles of spectacular coastal immersion. If you are looking for a walk that blends deep woodland trails, dramatic cliff vistas, and world-class wildlife, this is absolutely the one to do.
The East Riding Heritage Way passes through Flamborough Head so you could continue along this path to the nearby Bempton Cliffs where you can see more seabirds.
Pubs and More Info
On Flamborough Head you can visit the 19th century North Star Hotel for refreshments. There's fine sea views and an award-winning restaurant renowned for its fresh Flamborough seafood and wild game caught on the Yorkshire Wolds.
If you head a few miles west you could visit the village of Rudston. It's well known for it's ancient monolith and adjacent Grade I listed church. The photogenic stone is said to be the tallest standing stone remaining in England.
A few miles south west of Bridlington there's the lovely Tophill Low Nature Reserve to explore. The reserve includes two pretty reservoirs and easy footpaths along the River Hull. It's a great place for birdwatching with several hides dotted around the site. Near here is also the worthy vlllage of Brandesburton with its medieval church and historic 16th century pub
To the south there's the worthy village of Skipsea where you can explore the photogenic ruins of the 11th century Skipsea Castle. You could follow the Barmston and Fraisthorpe To Bridlington Beach Walk for part of the way. This will take you along the lovely stretch of sandy beach to neighbouring Barmston via the medieval village of Auburn.
For more walks in the area see the North York Moors Walks page.