8 Best Beaches To Visit In North Yorkshire
When you think of England’s most appealing bays and coves, Cornwall and Devon probably spring to mind. But the eight best beaches to visit in North Yorkshire give these southern counties a run for their money. Choose from scenic swathes of sand, sheltered family favourites and spectacular seaside resorts – all with campsites to book nearby.
Here are the eight best beaches to visit in North Yorkshire on your next break.
Saltburn Beach
Colourful beach huts and woodland walks
This stretch of sand and shingle has a bit of a buzz to it. Buy ice cream and waffles from eateries near the sand to chomp on as you survey surfers tackling the waves. There’s also a pier to potter along, as well as a series of beach huts in crayon-box colours.
Need to cool off? Take a dip in the water or wander along the river enroute to the car park through lush woodland. You could also walk as far north as quiet Marske-by-the-Sea beach, a couple of miles up the coast.
Find campsites near Saltburn-on-the-Sea
Runswick Bay
One of the best beaches in Britain
Descend through the village of Runswick Bay – reconstructed in the 17th century after the entire settlement slipped into the sea – to reach the award-winning beach of the same name. The bobbing fishing boats and red-roofed cottages here set the backdrop for a scenic day on the sand. Hunt for fossils among the rocks or lie back on a towel to take in the views – you could even attempt to spot the only thatched house left on the Yorkshire seafront. If the kids tire of creating castles in the sand, keep them entertained with a hike to Hob Holes, a series of tiny caves said to house hobgoblins.
Browse campsites near Runswick Bay
Whitby’s beaches
Sandy spots set below a famous Gothic abbey
Whitby has two beaches: the long West Cliff, where donkeys trot up and down on the sand, and the smaller, more sheltered Tate Hill. Both are pretty places to rest after scaling the harbour town’s famous 99 Steps for jaw-dropping views out over the coast. While you're up on the cliffs, tour Whitby Abbey as well, a series of crumbling ruins immortalised in Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula.
This top town is also on our list of the nine places you should visit in North Yorkshire.
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Robin Hood’s Bay
The best rocky beach in North Yorkshire
Come to this beach to hunt for fossils on the Dinosaur Coast – visitors have found ammonites and belemnites, as well as Jurassic and Cretaceous-era footprints, among the rocks. Or try to seek out the subterranean passageways said to lurk underneath some of the village’s houses and used by smugglers in the past. It’s also well worth embarking on the three-to-four-hour Cleveland Way coastal walk from this beach towards the Ravenscar seal colony.
Stay at campsites near Robin Hood’s Bay
Scarborough’s North Bay
Scarborough Castle views and access to an aquarium
Which has better beaches: Whitby or Scarborough? Well, it depends. Both seaside towns are worth visiting for excellent coastal amenities – from cafés to car parks. Scarborough’s North Bay suits those seeking serenity, though. Despite being backed by eateries and near the Sealife aquarium, it often has more of a low-key feel than the town’s South Bay or Whitby's West Cliff beach.
Scarborough’s South Bay
Fabulous fairgrounds and a Victorian promenade
Fancy some fish and chips? Set off towards Scarborough’s South Bay. There are several establishments serving up hot food near the sandy beach. Lined by fairgrounds and stalls selling cockles and winkles, this is also just the spot for soaking up traditional British seaside scenes. At high tide there’s still plenty of beach to bask on, making it an excellent place to visit at any time of day.
Stay at campsites in Scarborough
Cayton Bay
The best beach in North Yorkshire for dog-friendly days on the coast
This award-winning sweep of sand on the Yorkshire coast welcomes four-legged pals all year around. Squidged between Filey and Scarborough, it’s usually a little less busy than the beaches in the popular seaside resorts. The cliff surroundings and the fact you have to walk a little way down a slope to reach it also help. As Cayton Bay isn't shielded from the North Sea by headlands, it tends to pick up a decent amount of swell for surfing.
Book a campsite near Cayton Bay
Filey Beach
A family-friendly option near puffin and gannet colonies
This five-mile beach sits at the foot of the seaside resort of the same name. It runs from the Filey Brigg peninsula down to the RSPB nature reserve in Bempton (head here in spring and early summer to see puffins), so there’s plenty of space to spread out. Low tide is the best time to visit for rockpooling, but you can see art inspired by the surrounding nature any time of year on the seafront promenade. Once you're done, point your compass even further south from Filey to North Landing beach at Flamborough Head in the East Riding of Yorkshire for epic coastal views over bright-white chalk cliffs.
Flock to a campsite in Filey
More into strolling than sunbathing? Check out the nine best walks in North Yorkshire. Our Ultimate North East Camping Guide also has more essential info about the entire region’s beaches.