We’ll take a day at the beach over a trip abroad any day. The Yorkshire Coast is a popular hotspot for Brits when it comes to the summer months, but do you fancy finding those secret seaside escapes with unspoiled beaches? We’ve put together some of our favourite hidden gems for you to escape the crowds. Enjoy our list of the best-kept secret beaches in Yorkshire to visit. All we need is a little bit of sunshine now.
From the dinosaur coast, where you’ll find fossils and enjoy tranquil coves, to the wide stretches of beach that have those lesser-known sandy beaches away from the usual tourist traps, we’ve got the best hidden beaches in Yorkshire for you.
Yorkshire also has some fantastic beaches for those looking for that vibrant classic British seaside holiday, including the oldest seaside town in Britain. So, whether you want to visit those spots that only locals know about or head for a classic family holiday by the sea, we’ve got you covered.
So, what are the best secret beaches in Yorkshire?
1. Fraisthorpe
Just outside of Bridlington, this is our favourite beach and also our local one. I’ve been going there since I was a child for family days out. This hidden beach in Yorkshire is a great alternative to the busy North and South beaches. Located down a long country lane, Fraisthorpe beach is the perfect beach that only locals tend to know about. It has a lovely, wide stretch of beach where you can walk for miles in either direction. You can enjoy observing windsurfers whilst you wander along the vast expanse of the sandy beach. Afterwards, head down to the Cow Shed cafe for a lovely brew and a snack. Fraisthorpe, Bridlington, YO15 3QT
Why we love Fraisthorpe
- It’s off the beaten path, away from the tourist spot of Bridlington
- It is such a long stretch of beach, and you can walk for miles along it.
- The Cow Shed offers up great food and drink options, which is something you don’t get at these secluded spots usually.
- It’s a proper locals spot and feels like its in the middle of nowhere. You have to go down a winding track to get to it.
- You can walk to Bridlington, if you like. So, you get the best of both worlds.
2. Mappleton Beach
This stretch of beach is 3 miles from Hornsea, one of the smaller seaside towns found on the Yorkshire Coast, and is a great place to go fossil hunting. It’s one of those beaches that you stumble on by chance, and then can’t find again. It offers miles and miles of flat, beautiful sandy beach that is perfect for exploring and swimming. It’s a two-minute walk away from the Old Post Office Tea Room, where you can get a brew after traversing this quaint spot. We also recommend heading back into Hornsea and exploring some of its great places to eat. Mappleton, Hornsea HU18 1XX
Why we love Mappleton Beach
- Unlike neighbouring beaches, it’s dog-friendly all year round.
- The rapid erosion of the surrounding red till cliffs (the fastest in Europe) makes it a premier location for finding fossils.
- It offers such dramatic views with the surrounding cliffs.
- It’s a proper family-friendly spot away with a sandy beach, great for digging, building sandcastles and playing games.
3. Cayton Bay
The super-secret surf spot only locals know about is a great place for a picturesque walk, close to the popular tourist resorts of Scarborough and Hornsea. It has some lovely views and is great to see people surfing, but be wary of the steep climb to get there and when you get back off the beach. It has a little bit of history with the WWII pillboxes, which can be found along the coastline. This is a serene and picturesque hidden beach in Yorkshire. Visit the Salty Dog for a snack and a drink after enjoying the sandy beach. Cayton, Scarborough YO11 3NR
Why we love Cayton Bay
- Unlike the neighbouring Scarborough, the oldest seaside town in Britain, it offers a quieter, less busy experience.
- It is such a long stretch of beach, and you can walk for miles along it.
- The Salty Dog offers up some tasty treats and great views over the bay.
- It’s got plenty of parking, which is always good for these hidden beaches.
- You can surf dude!
4. Hunmanby Gap
Hunmanby Gap is another beloved gem on the Yorkshire coastline and one of the best Yorkshire beaches in our humble opinion. It has some amazing panoramic views to enjoy a fabulous view of Filey. You can enjoy a great big wide beach that is best visited during low tide. It can get busy in summer, and the parking is limited, so make sure you go down early if you want to take advantage of the yellow sand and dog-friendly beach. We’ll never get bored with those views out to the North Sea and the fantastic, dramatic cliffs that overlook the beach. There is also the beach cafe for refreshments. The advantage of this is that it’s one of the more family-friendly beaches, as you can always grab some lunch. Hunmanby Gap, Filey, YO14 9QP
Why we love Hunmanby Gap
- It offers up one of the longest stretches of beach and rarely feels crowded because of this, even in the height of summer.
- It’s dog-friendly all year round.
- The hidden Yorkshir beach has the Gap Cafe offering up food options, perfect for grabbing a snack.
- It offers a chance for a scenic, long walk towards either Filey or Speeton.
5. Hayburn Wyke
The little-known beach of Hayburn Wyke can be found just outside of Scarborough. There is a coastal path that dips down (which is a fairly difficult climb back up), and when you emerge onto the beach, you are greeted with a pair of mesmerising waterfalls. This is a predominantly rocky beach, which makes it great for searching for fossils, but not so great for sunbathing. It’s in its own little cove, which makes it all the more special. This one literally defines ‘off-the-beaten-path beaches’. When you are finished, you can stop off at the Hayburn Wyke pub for a lovely lunch. Hayburn Wyke, Scarborough, YO12 6LD
Why we love Hayburn Wyke
- It has its own waterfall falling right onto the beach!
- It’s such a great spot for hunting for fossils on the Jurassic-age Hayburn Wyke plant bed.
- Up top, there is a stunning pub, The Hayburn Wyke Inn, to head to after for a nice pint and some great pub grub.
- It is accessed via the Cleveland Way National Trail, which runs along the top of the cliffs between Scarborough and Ravenscar.
6. Danes Dyke
Another local favourite of ours, where we have spent many a dog walk, Danes Dyke is a pretty underrated beach that gives you the best of both worlds – enjoy a steep walk down through the woods, where you are greeted with a wonderfully secluded beach that has beautifully golden sands when the tide is out. When it’s in, however, enjoy clambering over the white rocks while searching for fossils. The beach is a little stony in places, but it has some outstanding views of the white chalked cliffs. It also boasts some great views from the cliff tops and a little shop where you can get food and drink to enjoy a little picnic. Unnamed Road, Bridlington YO15 1PQ
7. North Landing, Flamborough
This is one of Yorkshire’s most tranquil beach retreats. The idyllic beach of North Landing has a rather intimate feeling, as though the white chalky cliffs of Flamborough hem you in to make the place feel even more secluded. The natural cove is one of Yorkshire’s coastal gems, and a mixture of soft sand and pebbles and is great for swimming in the sea, exploring caves and hunting for marine life in the rock pools. At the top of the hill, there is a cafe that offers food and drinks, so you don’t have to worry about a picnic if you don’t want the hassle – one less thing to carry down to the beach with you. North Landing, Bridlington, YO15 1BJ
Why we love North Landing
- It’s overlooked by white chalk cliffs and grass-covered hills, offering the most scenic setting for a beach in Yorkshire.
- It’s a family favourite of ours for exploring the rock pools and caves when the tide is out.
- The area is famed for bird spotting; you can catch the likes of kittiwakes, guillemots, and puffins nesting on the cliffs.
- The Boathouse at North Landing offers a fantastic food & drink offering and is a cool spot to visit in itself.
- Restless on the beach? This secret Yorkshire spot has a fantastic cliff walk to be enjoyed for the adventurous out there.
8. Kettleness Beach
If you’re looking for one of the best secret beaches in Yorkshire with a difference, then the Kettleness beach waterfall is for you. The little stretch of beach with golden sands, as well as being a great spot for beach fun, is great for exploring the rocks for crabs and fossils. In fact, it is a popular haunt for fossil hunters. You can find anything from dinosaur bones to ammonites along the shores, while, of course, enjoying the stunning beach waterfall.
Why we love Kettleness beach
- It’s a remote and quiet atmosphere, and a real gem of Yorkshire.
- Another bay that is great for the fossil hunters out there, families can venture out and see what marine reptile remains they can find.
- It is known for its wide, sandy beaches combined with dramatic coastal views.
There you have it, if you’re looking to stay in England this summer, these Yorkshire Coast spots with unspoiled beaches will keep you from missing those European holiday spots. Our favourite secret beaches in Yorkshire are just as good, especially when the weather is nice and hot. If you’re looking for fantastic walks to enjoy whilst you’re visiting these hidden Yorkshire beaches, check out the link below.
