Yorkshire Coast

The Yorkshire Coast stretches for over 40 miles from the chalk cliffs of Flamborough Head in the south to the fishing villages of Staithes and Runswick Bay in the north. It is one of the most varied coastlines in England — dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, working harbours, and seaside resorts that have been drawing visitors since the Georgian era. For motorhome travellers from our Pontefract depot, the coast is comfortably within reach, with Scarborough around 90 minutes away and Whitby just under two hours.

The quickest route to the coast from Pontefract heads north on the A1(M) to the A64 junction near York, then east through Malton and across the western edge of the Wolds to Scarborough. It is a straightforward drive that takes you through the gentle agricultural landscape of the Vale of York before the land rises toward the moors and then drops dramatically to the sea. Alternatively, you can head for Bridlington via the M62 and the A614, approaching the coast from the south and working your way northward along the cliff road.

Scarborough is the grande dame of Yorkshire seaside resorts. The town sits in a natural amphitheatre between two sweeping bays, divided by the headland on which the castle ruins stand. The South Bay, with its harbour, arcades, and the ornate Spa Complex, has the traditional seaside atmosphere. The North Bay is quieter and more family-oriented, with the Peasholm Park — home to a famous naval warfare re-enactment on the boating lake — and the open-air theatre, which hosts major concerts throughout the summer. The castle itself, dating from the twelfth century, offers commanding views along the coast in both directions.

Whitby, 20 miles north of Scarborough, is the undisputed star of the Yorkshire Coast. The town sits where the River Esk meets the sea, its red-roofed houses climbing the steep valley sides toward the ruins of Whitby Abbey on the clifftop. The 199 steps up to the abbey are a rite of passage for every visitor, and the views from the top — across the harbour, along the coast, and out over the North Sea — are magnificent. The harbourside is the place for fish and chips. The Magpie Cafe has been serving what many consider the finest fish and chips in Britain for decades, though the Trenchers and the smaller chippies along the quayside all have their loyal followers.

Whitby's connections to Captain Cook — who served his maritime apprenticeship here, and whose ships, including the Endeavour, were built in the town's shipyards — are told in the Captain Cook Memorial Museum on Grape Lane. The town also has a rich association with Bram Stoker, who was inspired by the abbey and the graveyard of St Mary's Church when writing Dracula during a stay in Whitby in 1890. The Whitby Goth Weekend, held twice a year, celebrates this dark literary heritage with considerable enthusiasm.

Between Scarborough and Whitby, Robin Hood's Bay is a village of extraordinary character. Its narrow streets, too steep and tight for cars, tumble down the cliff to a rocky shore that is one of the best fossil-hunting spots on the coast. The village marks the eastern end of Wainwright's Coast to Coast Walk, and there is a satisfying tradition of walkers dipping their boots in the sea upon arrival. The Bay Hotel at the bottom of the hill has been the unofficial finishing line since the walk was first published in 1973.

South of Scarborough, Filey is a quieter, gentler resort that has resisted the temptation to modernise at the expense of its character. The long, wide beach stretches from Filey Brigg — a natural rock promontory that is excellent for rock pooling — southward toward the cliffs of Speeton. The town itself has an Edwardian charm, with colourful beach huts, traditional ice cream parlours, and a pace of life that feels pleasantly unhurried.

Flamborough Head, the great chalk headland south of Filey, marks the geological boundary between the chalk cliffs of East Yorkshire and the sandstone and shale of the north. The cliffs here are home to one of the largest seabird colonies on the English mainland. Bempton Cliffs RSPB reserve, just north of the headland, provides viewing platforms from which you can watch gannets, puffins, razorbills, and guillemots at close range during the breeding season from April to August. The sight of over 100,000 seabirds wheeling above the white cliffs is one of the great wildlife spectacles in Britain.

Motorhome campsites along the Yorkshire Coast are plentiful and varied. Cayton Village Experience near Scarborough is well-equipped and within easy reach of the town. Hooks House Farm above Robin Hood's Bay has clifftop pitches with views that justify the price alone. Whitby Holiday Park offers a convenient base for exploring the town and the surrounding coast. Thornwick Bay near Flamborough is popular with families and has good access to the cliff walks and beaches.

The Yorkshire Coast is one of those places that motorhome travel was made for. The distances between attractions are short, the scenery changes constantly, and there is always somewhere to pull over and take in the view. From the bustle of Scarborough to the quiet solitude of the clifftop walk between Ravenscar and Robin Hood's Bay, this coast has something for everyone. Ninety minutes from Pontefract, and you are there.