The Best Seaside Towns In Yorkshire - Beautiful Yorkshire Coast

Last Updated on 17th March 2022

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When you think of idyllic sandy beaches, yummy seafood and glorious sunshine and blue skies, your mind probably wanders to the likes of Bondi Beach in Australia, Bali’s bountiful supply of beautiful beaches or the remarkable island paradise of the Maldives. You probably don’t think of the coastal towns in the British county of Yorkshire…

However, having lived in Yorkshire for most of my life, I think I can vouch for its supply of charming British seaside towns. Sure, the beaches and seaside resorts in Yorkshire might not be quite as magical or magnificent as the ones listed above, but they still pack a punch when it comes to offering visitors a wonderful time during the British summertime, or indeed at any other time of the year.

In today’s post, I’ll be taking you on a journey along the breathtaking Yorkshire Coast, from popular towns such as Scarborough and Whitby to the slightly lesser-known, but still very much worth a visit, coastal towns of Withernsea and Hornsea.

If you’re looking for inspiration for your British summer holiday, then look no further than these 11 beautiful Yorkshire coastal towns and villages!

Map of North Yorkshire coastal towns

Yorkshire’s seaside towns pack a punch when it comes to local “delicacies” such as the iconic fish and chips, a Mr Whippy ice cream and of course, the toothache-inducing rock and candy floss sweet treats.

If I had to narrow it down to just three of the best Yorkshire coastal towns, I’d probably pick Scarborough, Filey and Whitby.

I have so many fond memories of visiting Filey with my family when I was younger, so that definitely secures its place as one of the best Yorkshire seaside towns. It’s also one of the many seaside towns near Scarborough, so it’s the perfect place to visit if you’re in the area and you want to tick off as many coastal towns in Yorkshire as possible.

Take a look below at more of the best seaside resorts in Yorkshire that are all perfect for a day trip or as a little UK staycation.

Scarborough – best seaside towns in Yorkshire

Starting with my favourite town on Yorkshire’s coast; Scarborough is undoubtedly one of the best seaside towns in Yorkshire, if not the whole of England, in my opinion.

It’s the perfect place to go rock pooling, grab some fish and chips (a must-do in any British seaside town) and the arcade facilities here are some of the very best in the area.

I have so many wonderful memories from my childhood thanks to various trips to Scarborough with both friends and family and it’s a seaside town that I will happily return to time and again.

Whitby

Famed for its spectacular Abbey and the infamous 199 steps that take you up to a wonderful viewing point of the harbour and town below, Whitby is a fab seaside resort town in Yorkshire.

Whitby Abbey’s incredibly eerie and ominous presence is thought to have been the inspiration behind Bram Stoker’s Dracula and just one look at the towering structure makes it clear to see why.

The town also serves some of the best lemon top ice cream in the area and while it can be incredibly windy at times, it’s worth taking a stroll around Whitby to soak up the fresh, British seaside air.

Robin Hood’s Bay

The small, picturesque fishing village of Robin Hood’s Bay is another Yorkshire seaside town that needs to be on your must-visit list.

The beaches in Robin Hood’s Bay are the perfect place to go fossil hunting and while you’re not exactly guaranteed to find one, the process of looking is almost just as fun as actually finding one!

It’s also famous for being a smuggler’s paradise back in the day and from the clifftop viewpoints, it’s clear to see why. On a clear day, the views out to sea are truly mesmerising, just be careful if you visit on a windy day!

Bridlington

Another seaside town near Scarborough, Bridlington’s beaches are some of the very best in Yorkshire and on a hot summer’s day, you’ll find the seemingly endless stretches of sand positively teeming with locals and visitors from all over the county.

It’s a place that truly epitomises quintessential British seaside, with the abundance of amusements, funfair rides and even the occasional donkey ride on the beach!

Filey – best Yorkshire coastal towns

Filey is another place that will always have a particularly special place in my heart thanks to many wonderful visits there with my family both as a child and as an adult.

My parents actually had a caravan based in Cayton Bay for a little while (before they moved it to their garden in Cumbria which is where Matt and I spent most of our time in the UK lockdowns during the Covid-19 pandemic!) and it was the most adorable place to enjoy a weekend away.

I adore walking along the beach in Filey and there’s just something about it that always feels so comforting and nostalgic. If you’re looking to spend a few days staying along the Yorkshire coast, I’d definitely recommend basing yourself in Filey.

Flamborough

The rugged white cliffs of Flamborough Head are arguably the most distinctive part of this seaside village. It’s the ideal place for bird watching and even if you’re not a professional, you’d be hard-pressed to miss out on all the active wildlife that set up their homes along the mighty cliffs.

Make sure you pay a visit to the Flamborough Lighthouse for a taste of the local history, as well as for stunning views of the impressive coastline.

Saltburn-By-The-Sea

The northernmost seaside place on this list of Yorkshire’s best coastal towns is Saltburn-By-The-Sea. It’s home to Yorkshire’s last remaining pier and it’s a town that’s positively teeming with incredible things to see and do for everyone.

A ride along the Saltburn Cliff Tramway is an absolute must-do while you’re there, and while it’s only a short journey each way, you’ll be greeted with awesome views of the beach below. Once you’re safely back on the ground, grab some fish and chips and take a lovely stroll along the pier.

Avid surfers will also love a visit to Saltburn-By-The-Sea as it’s home to one of the UK’s biggest surfing competitions!

Staithes – North Yorkshire coastal towns

Staithes is a relatively small seaside town, so you don’t really need to spend a tonne of time here; a couple of hours should be more than enough.

It is worth visiting though as it’s a remarkably quaint fishing village and while there isn’t loads to do, a simple mooch around is more than enjoyable.

You can’t visit Staithes without popping into Dotty’s Vintage Tearooms for a bite to eat; the scones make for a wonderful afternoon snack and the smorgasbord of cakes cannot be missed!

Hornsea – top seaside towns on the Yorkshire Coast

Hornsea is another pretty unremarkable village along the Yorkshire Coast, but it’s still a lovely place to stop off in, in order to enjoy a family day on the beach.

The ice cream at Mr Moo’s serves over 30 different flavours of delectably indulgent ice creams, including apple crumble, chocolate orange (my personal favourite), white chocolate chunk and many more! If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you can’t leave Hornsea without sampling a flavour or two!

There’s also a fab local market to be discovered in Hornsea and even if you don’t fancy purchasing anything, it still makes for a lovely mooch around on a Sunday afternoon.

Runswick Bay

Located just a 6-minute drive from Staithes, Runswick Bay is truly one of the most picturesque villages along Yorkshire’s fantastic coast.

There are ample coastal walks to be enjoyed in Runswick Bay and if you’re looking for something slightly more adventurous than your typical sandcastle building activity, get ready to partake in fossil hunting and rock pooling!

While it’s only a very small seaside village in Yorkshire, there’s something about it that’s so incredibly warm and inviting. Be sure to grab something to eat at one of the many local eateries for some freshly caught seafood.

Withernsea – top Yorkshire coastal towns

Withernsea is home to numerous local landmarks such as the white inland lighthouse, the pier towers that sit right next to the beach, as well as St. Nicholas’ Church.

Of course, it also has its own offering of beaches, amusements, arcades and fish and chip shops; staples that form an integral part of every Yorkshire seaside town and village.

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What are the best seaside towns in Yorkshire in your opinion? Are there any others you’d add to this list? Let me know in the comments or on Instagram @imjustagirl_16.