Best Beaches in East Yorkshire: The Complete Coastal Guide
East Yorkshire's coastline stretches for over 50 miles, from the dramatic chalk cliffs of Flamborough Head to the ever-shifting sand spit of Spurn Point. It is one of the most dynamic and varied coastlines in Britain, and its beaches range from bustling seaside resort sands to wild, windswept stretches where you might not see another soul all day. Whether you are looking for the best beaches near Hull for a quick day out, quiet beaches on the Yorkshire coast for a peaceful walk, or family beaches in East Yorkshire with proper facilities, this guide covers them all.
Bridlington North Beach: The Classic Seaside Day Out
Bridlington North Beach is the quintessential East Yorkshire seaside experience. Backed by the promenade, amusement arcades, and ice cream parlours, this long stretch of golden sand is the beach most families picture when they think of a day at the coast. The sand is clean, the beach is regularly maintained, and when the tide goes out, the expanse is enormous.
Facilities and Practical Information
Bridlington North Beach has everything you need for a traditional day out. Public toilets are located along the promenade, and there are cafes, fish and chip shops, and pubs within a stone's throw. Deckchair and windbreak hire is available during the summer months. The beach is patrolled by lifeguards from late May through to September.
Parking: The main car parks are at Leisure World and along the seafront. Expect to pay around three to four pounds for a few hours, with day rates available. Arrive before 11am in summer or you will be circling for a space.
Dog rules: Dogs are banned from the main beach between the harbour and Belvedere Parade from May 1st to September 30th. Outside these dates, dogs are welcome everywhere.
Best for: Families with young children, traditional seaside days, accessible beach visits.
Bridlington South Beach and the Harbour
South Beach sits on the other side of the harbour and has a slightly different character. It is less busy than North Beach, with a more local feel. The Spa Bridlington complex sits at the southern end, and the harbour itself is worth exploring, with fishing boats, crab pots, and the chance to buy fresh seafood straight from the quayside.
The beach is sandier closer to the harbour and becomes more pebbly as you walk south towards Sewerby. It is a good Bridlington beach for those who want to avoid the biggest crowds while still having easy access to facilities.
Parking: South Cliff car parks serve this stretch, and the Spa has its own parking.
Best for: Couples, quieter family visits, combining a beach trip with harbour exploring.
Fraisthorpe Beach: East Yorkshire's Hidden Gem
Ask any local where to find the best quiet beach in East Yorkshire and the answer is almost always Fraisthorpe. Located a few miles south of Bridlington, Fraisthorpe Beach feels like a different world. There are no amusement arcades, no promenades, no ice cream vans — just miles of clean, wide sand backed by low clay cliffs and farmland.
Fraisthorpe is one of the best dog friendly beaches in East Yorkshire. Dogs are welcome year-round with no seasonal restrictions, making it the go-to choice for dog walkers from Hull and the surrounding area. On a weekday outside school holidays, you can walk for a mile in either direction and see nothing but gulls and the occasional dog walker.
Getting to Fraisthorpe Beach
The beach is accessed via a farm track off the A165 between Bridlington and Barmston. There is a small car park at the end of the track, run by the farm. A fee of a few pounds per car is usually collected in a honesty box or by an attendant. There are no public toilets, no cafe, and no mobile phone signal in places — so come prepared.
Parking: Small farm car park at the beach access point.
Dog rules: Dogs welcome all year round, no restrictions.
Best for: Dog walking, peaceful beach walks, wild swimming, escaping the crowds.
Danes Dyke Beach: Sheltered Cove Near Flamborough
Tucked into a wooded ravine on the Flamborough Heritage Coast, Danes Dyke is one of the most atmospheric beaches in East Yorkshire. The beach itself is pebbly with patches of sand at low tide, sheltered by high wooded cliffs on both sides. The walk down through the ancient ravine — believed to be an Iron Age defensive earthwork — is part of the experience.
This is an excellent family beach for those with slightly older children who enjoy rock pooling and exploring. The rock pools at the base of the chalk cliffs reveal crabs, anemones, blennies, and other marine life, especially on a low spring tide.
Danes Dyke Woodland Walk
The ravine and surrounding woodland are managed by East Riding of Yorkshire Council and make for a lovely short walk in their own right. The paths are well-maintained and there are picnic areas among the trees. In spring, the woodland floor is carpeted with bluebells and wild garlic.
Parking: Pay and display car park at the top of the ravine, managed by East Riding Council.
Dog rules: Dogs welcome on the beach year-round. Must be kept under control in the woodland due to nesting birds.
Best for: Rock pooling, nature walks, photography, sheltered beach days.
Flamborough Head: Rock Pools and Dramatic Cliffs
Flamborough Head is not a traditional beach destination, but North Landing and South Landing deserve a place on any East Yorkshire beach guide. North Landing is a small, dramatic cove with a slipway, a few fishing cobles pulled up on the pebbles, and some of the best rock pools on the Yorkshire coast. The chalk cliffs tower above and the birdlife is extraordinary, especially between April and August when hundreds of thousands of seabirds nest on the cliffs.
South Landing is sandier and more sheltered, sitting in a natural bay. It is a popular spot for kayakers, coasteerers, and anyone who wants to swim in relatively calm water. The RSPB Flamborough Cliffs reserve is nearby, and the clifftop walk between the two landings is outstanding.
Parking: Pay and display car parks at both North Landing and South Landing.
Best for: Rock pooling, birdwatching, kayaking, cliff walks, geology.
Hornsea Beach: Seaside Town With Character
Hornsea sits roughly midway along the Holderness coast and has a long, wide beach backed by a promenade and sea defences. The town has a pleasantly old-fashioned feel, with independent shops along Newbegin, the famous Hornsea Freeport shopping village, and Hornsea Mere — the largest freshwater lake in Yorkshire — just a short walk from the seafront.
The beach itself is a mix of sand and shingle, with more sand exposed at low tide. It is a good family beach in East Yorkshire, with toilets, cafes, and a small amusement area along the front. The beach can pick up a good swell, and you will often see surfers and bodyboarders here when conditions are right.
Hornsea Mere and the Beach Combined
One of the best things about Hornsea is that you can combine a beach visit with a walk around Hornsea Mere. The RSPB manage part of the mere, and the bird hides offer excellent views of waterfowl, grebes, and in winter, large flocks of wildfowl. It makes for a varied day out that goes beyond a simple beach trip.
Parking: Several car parks along the seafront and in the town centre.
Dog rules: Dogs are banned from the central beach area during summer months. The stretches north and south of the main promenade are dog friendly year-round.
Best for: Family days out, combining beach and nature visits, surfing.
Withernsea Beach: Honest and Unpretentious
Withernsea wears its heart on its sleeve. This is not a polished resort — it is a working seaside town with a wide, sandy beach, a lighthouse in the middle of the high street, and a community that takes real pride in its coast. The beach is vast at low tide and the sunrises here, looking out across the North Sea, are some of the best in the region.
The Withernsea Lighthouse Museum is worth a visit. Climb to the top for panoramic views of the coast and the Holderness countryside. The town also has cafes, fish and chip shops, and a seasonal funfair.
Parking: Free parking is available along the seafront and in the town centre.
Dog rules: Dogs are restricted from the main beach during summer. The northern and southern stretches remain open to dogs year-round.
Best for: Budget-friendly days out, sunrise walks, visiting the lighthouse, authentic seaside atmosphere.
Mappleton Beach: For the Adventurous
Mappleton is a small village on the Holderness coast, and its beach is a striking reminder of the power of coastal erosion. The rock armour defences at Mappleton contrast sharply with the rapidly eroding clay cliffs to the south. The beach is reached by a steep path down from the village and is mainly used by dog walkers and those looking for a truly quiet beach on the Yorkshire coast.
This is not a beach for swimming or sunbathing — the access is steep, there are no facilities, and the clay cliffs can be unstable. But for a dramatic coastal walk and a lesson in the raw power of the North Sea, it is hard to beat.
Parking: Very limited roadside parking in the village.
Dog rules: No restrictions.
Best for: Coastal geology, photography, solitary walks.
Spurn Point: Where the Land Runs Out
Spurn Point is not a conventional beach, but it is one of the most remarkable coastal landscapes in Britain. This narrow, three-and-a-half mile sand spit curves into the mouth of the Humber Estuary and is home to the Spurn National Nature Reserve, managed by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.
Walking the length of Spurn is a memorable experience. The beach on the seaward side is wild and windswept, strewn with driftwood and shells. On the estuary side, the mudflats are rich feeding grounds for thousands of wading birds. At the tip, you can see the old lifeboat station, the lighthouse, and the military buildings from both World Wars.
Practical Tips for Visiting Spurn
The road to Spurn was breached by storms in 2013 and is now only accessible on foot or by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust's Unimog vehicle. The walk from the car park at Kilnsea to the point and back is around seven miles. Check tide times before you go, as sections of the path can flood at very high tides.
Parking: Car park at the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust visitor centre at Kilnsea. There is a parking charge for non-members.
Dog rules: Dogs must be kept on leads throughout the nature reserve.
Best for: Birdwatching, wildlife, wild walks, photography, history.
Best Time to Visit East Yorkshire Beaches
The East Yorkshire coast is at its best from May through to September, when the weather is warmest and the days are longest. July and August bring the biggest crowds to Bridlington and Hornsea, so if you prefer quieter beaches, aim for weekdays or visit in June or September.
For dog walkers, the shoulder months of spring and autumn are ideal. Most seasonal dog restrictions run from May to September, so visiting in April or October gives you the run of every beach without restrictions. Winter walks on the Holderness coast can be spectacular — just wrap up warm and be prepared for the North Sea wind.
Quick Reference: Dog Friendly Beaches in East Yorkshire
Finding a dog friendly beach in East Yorkshire is straightforward if you know where to look. Here is a quick summary:
- Fraisthorpe: Dogs welcome all year, no restrictions
- Danes Dyke: Dogs welcome all year
- Mappleton: Dogs welcome all year, no restrictions
- Spurn Point: Dogs on leads at all times
- Bridlington, Hornsea, Withernsea: Seasonal restrictions on main beaches, but dog-friendly stretches available year-round
Getting to the Coast From Hull
Most East Yorkshire beaches are within easy reach of Hull. Bridlington is around 30 miles north via the A165, reachable in about 45 minutes. Hornsea is 15 miles northeast and takes around 30 minutes. Withernsea is 18 miles east via the A1033. Fraisthorpe is roughly 25 miles from the city centre.
The East Yorkshire Coastliner bus service runs from Hull to Bridlington via Beverley, and there are bus services to Hornsea and Withernsea, though a car is the most practical option for reaching the more remote beaches like Fraisthorpe and Spurn.
Whatever kind of beach day you are looking for — a traditional seaside outing with the family, a quiet walk with the dog, or a wild adventure at the edge of the land — East Yorkshire's coast has something for you. The best beaches in East Yorkshire are not just a summer destination. They are places to return to throughout the year, each visit revealing something different.