Oh I do like to be beside the seaside

IF YOU’RE PLANNING A DAY TRIP THIS SUMMER, YOU’LL FIND PLENTY OF OPTIONS ON THE EAST COAST. BY REBECCA WALES.

Whitby

The seaside town of Whitby has long been popular with visitors to Yorkshire’s coast, mainly because of its connections to Bram Stoker’s Dracula. However the town’s attraction as a tourist destination is also enhanced by its proximity to the North York Moors and the heritage coastline.

Whitby’s association with Gothic culture is reflected in its quirky streets, shops and abbey ruins. Situated at the top of East Cliff, the 7th century Whitby Abbey ruins are undoubtedly the town’s main tourist attraction. Alongside the ruins, the site also features a revamped museum and offers fantastic sea views over the coast.

Attractions located in the town include Whitby Museum, which exhibits specialist collections relating to Jurassic fossils, Whitby jet, Captain James Cook and the whaling industry. Whitby’s large sandy beach featuring donkey rides, colourful beach huts and a children’s paddling pool is also a popular attraction.

Filey

Scarborough

Head further up the North Yorkshire coast and you’ll find Scarborough – the country’s oldest seaside resort. The town has been a popular holiday destination for hundreds of years and is renowned for its variety of attractions. Scarborough is home to a range of award-winning picturesque beaches that offer spectacular views of the coastline.

The North Bay Beach – which is celebrated for its cleanliness – has traditionally been the more peaceful end of the resort, with South Bay Beach being the main tourist area. The South Bay Beach is close to a variety of eateries, theatres, amusement arcades and other entertainment facilities, making it a favourite with visitors and locals alike.

The 12th century Scarborough Castle, which is situated on top of the rocky promontory, is a popular attraction. The former medieval Royal fortress has a fascinating past and is renowned for being one of North Yorkshire’s finest historic sites. The 12th century St Mary’s Church can also be found nearby, with its large graveyard featuring the grave of novelist Anne Brontë.

Attractions located in the town include the Rotunda Museum, which is one of the oldest purpose-built museums still in use in the UK. The museum is housed in a 19th century Grade II* listed building and features one of the foremost collections of Jurassic geology on the Yorkshire Coast.

Scarborough is also home to a variety of wonderful gardens and parks, including the South Cliff Gardens, Peasholm Park, Falsgrave Park and the Mere Country Park. Other popular attractions include the Alpamare Waterpark, Sea Life Scarborough, Scarborough Spa and Scarborough Open Air Theatre.

Crossing over from East Yorkshire to North Yorkshire, Filey is a popular holiday destination for many people. The former fishing village is renowned for its historic promenade, beautiful Edwardian architecture and five-mile-long sandy beach.

Filey has a reputation for being quieter and less crowded than other coastal resorts, making it a great place to go if you’re looking for a more relaxing seaside break. One of the town’s main attractions is its expansive beach, which is backed by a sculpture-dotted promenade featuring a series of artworks inspired by the local natural heritage. Situated north of the beach is Filey Brigg, a long narrow peninsula with steep cliffs. The area offers amazing views and is a great spot for birdwatching.

In the town itself, visitors can enjoy going on peaceful strolls in the Crescent Gardens, which offers stunning views across the bay, or the Glen Gardens, which has plenty of open space for ball games and picnics. Other attractions in the town include Filey Museum, which exhibits antiques, fossils and other artefacts, and the 12th century St Oswald’s Church. The church is the oldest building in Filey and has nearly 1,500 pieces of well-preserved medieval graffiti on the roof of its tower.

Attractions situated west of the town include the Filey Dams Nature Reserve, which consists of large freshwater lagoons surrounded by marsh and grassland, and the Filey Bird Garden & Animal Park. The five-acre park features birds from across the globe, plus meerkats, alpacas and reptiles.

Cleethorpes

Situated on the estuary of the Humber, Cleethorpes is a traditional seaside town renowned for its rich heritage, beautiful scenery and family-friendly attractions.

Cleethorpes’ large, clean beach is a fantastic place to enjoy the sunshine whilst taking in the views of the picturesque coastline.

Located next to the beach are the Pier Gardens, which offers visitors plenty of places to sit and relax whilst enjoying wonderful panoramic views. Alongside a cafe, bar and restaurant, the Pier Gardens also feature a crazy golf course and a 19th century seaside folly.

Cleethorpes Country Park, a 160-acre nature reserve, is a great place to spot wildlife. The one-mile path that runs around the big lake in the centre of the park is ideal for family walks.

One of the town’s most popular attractions is the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway, which is one of the country’s oldest miniature seaside railways. The two-mile return journey offers visitors a relaxing way to enjoy beautiful views along the picturesque coast.

Skegness

Situated on the Lincolnshire coast, Skegness is one of the country’s most popular seaside resorts.

The town’s main attractions include its large Blue Flag beach, which is renowned for being one of the cleanest in the country. Next to the beach, you’ll find Skegness’ famous pier, which offers beautiful coastal views, plus a traditional funfair with an amusement arcade, rollercoasters and other classic rides.

Other attractions nearby include the Natureland Seal Sanctuary, which rescues and houses distressed seals, and Skegness Aquarium, which features a variety of marine wildlife.

Near the funfair is Skegness’ famous live entertainment venue, the Embassy Theatre, which hosts tribute acts, musicals, pantos and other family shows. If you head into town, visitors can also check out the Village Church Farm, which is an open-air museum featuring exhibitions about local and agricultural history.

Attractions located just outside of Skegness include Fantasy Island, an amusement park based in Ingoldmells, and the Gibraltar Point Nature Reserve, which is renowned for its dynamic stretch of unspoilt coastline.

Bridlington

Situated further up the East Yorkshire coast is Bridlington, a charming seaside town renowned for its award-winning beaches and promenades. Bridlington is a popular tourist destination and its fantastic range of attractions offer something for everyone.

The scenic Bridlington North Beach is a popular tourist destination that offers visitors a range of traditional seaside activities. Situated next to the restored Edwardian North Promenade, the beach also offers stunning views of the impressive chalk cliffs of Flamborough Head.

The extensive Bridlington South Beach situated next to the Princess Mary Promenade also offers stunning views and is an excellent place to go for long walks.

One of Bridlington’s main attractions is its close proximity to Flamborough Head and Bempton Cliffs. Both sites are renowned for their sheer white cliffs which provide nesting sites for thousands of seabirds.

Other attractions situated within Bridlington include the Grade I listed Bridlington Priory and Bayle Museum, the latter of which contains artefacts and exhibitions showcasing the town’s history. There is also Bridlington Animal Park, which is located just south of the town.

Saltburn-by-the-Sea

Saltburn-by-the-Sea is a charming coastal town that offers visitors an authentic seaside experience. Saltburn’s large sand and shingle beach is a popular location for watersports, with the town being renowned for having one of the best surf spots along the North Sea coast.

Running alongside the beach is Saltburn’s Grade II* listed renovated pier, which is the only remaining pleasure pier on the whole North East and Yorkshire coast. To get down to the beach and pier, visitors can take the nineteenth century Saltburn Cliff Lift, which is the oldest operating water-powered funicular railway in the country. The town also has a miniature railway that follows the Skelton Beck through the Saltburn Valley Gardens.

Visitors to Saltburn can also enjoy going on various circular woodland walks in the tranquil Valley Gardens before stopping for a break at the Victorian tea rooms.