Categories
British Isles

Walks round Flamborough Head

Our walk of the week give you the chance to visit not one, but two lighthouses, writes Mike Bagshaw.

Written by Mike Bagshaw

 

Flamborough Head by George Stoyle, Yorkshire Wildlife TrustThe enormous chunk of chalk that is Flamborough Head, an extension of the Wolds, sticks out a good six miles into the North Sea © George Stoyle, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust 

The obvious walk to do here is one that takes you right around the end of the promontory, and just for a change public transport is on your side if you choose to use it. My choice would be to start on the gentler south coast and finish at the spectacular cliffs further north.

The walk begins at South Landing, which you can drive to, but its only just over half a mile’s stroll from Flamborough village where the Bridlington bus (510) stops every 30 minutes. Facing the sea at South Landing, turn left and follow the coastal path for two miles to Flamborough Head itself. After admiring an historic pair of lighthouses overlooking Selwicks Bay, continue along the steadily rising cliffs of the northern shore for two further miles to North Landing.

Gannet Bempton Cliffs North Yorkshire by Tom Marshall Yorkshire Wildlife TrustLook out for gannets flying overhead, as well as puffins, seals and even porpoise at Flamborough © Tom Marshall, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust 

While you could catch the bus back from here, the cliff scenery will probably tempt you on for a further mile to where a public footpath leads across the fields and back to Flamborough village. If you did use the bus from Bridlington to get here, then this seven-mile circuit can be extended by another two miles by continuing along the coast to the RSPB visitor centre perched atop the stunning cliffs of Bempton (free entry if you arrive on foot). From here, an amble downhill for a further 11/2 miles will take you to Bempton railway station, where you can catch one of the nine trains a day back to Bridlington.


For more walks around the North York Moors and Yorkshire Wolds, check out our new guide: 

Bradt guide to the North York Moors and Yorkshire Wolds by Mike Bagshaw

Back to the top