We are lucky enough to live within easy reach of North Yorkshire's glorious coastline. The beaches of North Yorkshire are all different from each other and all offer different things. These are our favourite beaches going up the North Yorkshire coast from Hunmanby Gap to Staithes with information if dogs are allowed and various facilities and attractions available.
HUNMANBY GAP
Dog Policy: Dogs Allowed
Hunmanby Gap beach is a big wide expanse of beach with clear water. It is surrounded by dramatic cliffs which can make it quite sheltered depending which way the wind is blowing. There is ample parking on the cliffs then a fairly steep walk down to the beach. Half way down to the beach is the dog-friendly Hunmanby Gap Cafe with indoor and outdoor seating which offers great sea-views, hot and cold food and home-made cakes. You can walk quite a distance on this beach, heading north you will come to The Bay Holiday Village and Primrose Valley.
Useful Information: To access this beach, turn off the roundabout on the A165, signposted Reighton and Hunmanby Gap and take the first left down Sands Rd. Follow this road all the way along until you see the car park on the left. Postcode: YO14 9QW
Dog Policy: Dogs Allowed
Hunmanby Gap beach is a big wide expanse of beach with clear water. It is surrounded by dramatic cliffs which can make it quite sheltered depending which way the wind is blowing. There is ample parking on the cliffs then a fairly steep walk down to the beach. Half way down to the beach is the dog-friendly Hunmanby Gap Cafe with indoor and outdoor seating which offers great sea-views, hot and cold food and home-made cakes. You can walk quite a distance on this beach, heading north you will come to The Bay Holiday Village and Primrose Valley.
Useful Information: To access this beach, turn off the roundabout on the A165, signposted Reighton and Hunmanby Gap and take the first left down Sands Rd. Follow this road all the way along until you see the car park on the left. Postcode: YO14 9QW
FILEY
Dog Policy: Dogs not allowed from the 1st May until 30th September. (From the Royal Parade up to the coble slipway). Dogs Allowed from the Slipway towards and onto the Brigg.)
Filey is a family favourite. There is lots on offer here. The beach is a lovely sweeping sandy bay with clear water. You can walk out onto the Brigg where you might even spot a seal. There are sea-food kiosks and ice-cream / waffle kiosks and cafes with outdoor seating near the slipway and there is the Lifeboat station which is always of interest to children. The traditional Coble fishing boats are still operating from here and there is a good promenade with crazy golf, trampolining and more...An excellent spot - it is not surprising that Filey was voted the beach of the year by The Times in 2018...
Useful Information: There is pay and display parking down Ravine Road and along The Beach Road. There is also pay and display parking in the Filey Brigg Caravan Site from which you can access the Brigg down the steps or the beach down the path.
Dog Policy: Dogs not allowed from the 1st May until 30th September. (From the Royal Parade up to the coble slipway). Dogs Allowed from the Slipway towards and onto the Brigg.)
Filey is a family favourite. There is lots on offer here. The beach is a lovely sweeping sandy bay with clear water. You can walk out onto the Brigg where you might even spot a seal. There are sea-food kiosks and ice-cream / waffle kiosks and cafes with outdoor seating near the slipway and there is the Lifeboat station which is always of interest to children. The traditional Coble fishing boats are still operating from here and there is a good promenade with crazy golf, trampolining and more...An excellent spot - it is not surprising that Filey was voted the beach of the year by The Times in 2018...
Useful Information: There is pay and display parking down Ravine Road and along The Beach Road. There is also pay and display parking in the Filey Brigg Caravan Site from which you can access the Brigg down the steps or the beach down the path.
CAYTON BAY
Dog Policy: Dogs allowed
Cayton Bay is a great family and dog friendly beach. Located south of Scarborough, it is a big, sheltered, sandy sweeping bay. There is lots to keep everyone entertained here. There are lifeguards in the summer, there is good surf and a surf school, there is good fossil hunting towards the far end of the beach and there is a cafe and toilets just up from the beach. This is one of our favourite beaches both in winter and summer.
Useful Information:You can park in the surf school car park for a few pounds for all day parking. There is a surf school shop with surfing equipment and snacks at the top near the car park. There are also toilets (20p). From the car park there is a footpath down to the beach. You can also park on the road at the top for free and walk down another path which takes you past the cafe and toilets near the beach. Wherever you park, be aware it is a steep walk down to the beach. Fossil hunting sessions can be booked with Hidden Horizons.
Dog Policy: Dogs allowed
Cayton Bay is a great family and dog friendly beach. Located south of Scarborough, it is a big, sheltered, sandy sweeping bay. There is lots to keep everyone entertained here. There are lifeguards in the summer, there is good surf and a surf school, there is good fossil hunting towards the far end of the beach and there is a cafe and toilets just up from the beach. This is one of our favourite beaches both in winter and summer.
Useful Information:You can park in the surf school car park for a few pounds for all day parking. There is a surf school shop with surfing equipment and snacks at the top near the car park. There are also toilets (20p). From the car park there is a footpath down to the beach. You can also park on the road at the top for free and walk down another path which takes you past the cafe and toilets near the beach. Wherever you park, be aware it is a steep walk down to the beach. Fossil hunting sessions can be booked with Hidden Horizons.
SCARBOROUGH SOUTH BAY
Dog Policy: Dogs Restrictions from the 1st May until the 30th September.
Scarborough South Bay ticks all the boxes for a traditional family day at the beach. Donkey rides (in the summer), good fish and chips, lots of ice-cream opportunities, good sand-castle building and good paddling. Also very close to the front is the Scarborough Rotunda Museum which is definitely worth a visit for a look at interesting fossils and ancient sea creatures. If you fancy a stroll away from the beach, the lovely South Cliff Gardens are just up the hill.
Useful Information: Dog Restrictions - Dogs not allowed on the main bit of South Bay (from just before the Grand Hotel to the Pier). Dogs are however allowed on the beach heading away from Scarborough. In the peak months it can be busy in Scarborough so parking can be a little tricky. A lot of the streets are mostly resident's parking, there are however quite a few car parks to go at.
Dog Policy: Dogs Restrictions from the 1st May until the 30th September.
Scarborough South Bay ticks all the boxes for a traditional family day at the beach. Donkey rides (in the summer), good fish and chips, lots of ice-cream opportunities, good sand-castle building and good paddling. Also very close to the front is the Scarborough Rotunda Museum which is definitely worth a visit for a look at interesting fossils and ancient sea creatures. If you fancy a stroll away from the beach, the lovely South Cliff Gardens are just up the hill.
Useful Information: Dog Restrictions - Dogs not allowed on the main bit of South Bay (from just before the Grand Hotel to the Pier). Dogs are however allowed on the beach heading away from Scarborough. In the peak months it can be busy in Scarborough so parking can be a little tricky. A lot of the streets are mostly resident's parking, there are however quite a few car parks to go at.
SCARBOROUGH NORTH BAY
Dog Policy: Dog Restrictions from the 1st May until the 30th September
Oooh Scarborough North Bay - where to start, there is so much to do here. The beach is great - it's a long sweeping bay with lovely clear water. You can look out for the Scarborough Porpoises which are frequent visitors to this bay. You can partake in a spot of surfing. You can visit Peasholm Park which is very close by and have a go on the pedaloes, Also close by are the Northstead Manor Gardens where you can go on the historic water chute and the boating lake. This is where the North Bay Railway is, from where you can take the short train journey to Scalby Mills and visit the very interesting Sealife Centre. For some history action, you can visit Scarborough Castle which is just up on the hill.
Useful Information: Dog Restrictions - Dogs not allowed on the main bit of North Bay (from Peasholm Gap to The Promenade Cafe). Dogs are allowed on the beach from Peasholm Gap heading south towards Scarborough. Dogs are allowed in Peasholm Park on the lead and on the North Bay Railway. Dogs are not allowed in the sealife centre. Dogs on leads are allowed at Scarborough Castle. There is no parking on site at Scarborough Castle, but there is parking in the area.
Dog Policy: Dog Restrictions from the 1st May until the 30th September
Oooh Scarborough North Bay - where to start, there is so much to do here. The beach is great - it's a long sweeping bay with lovely clear water. You can look out for the Scarborough Porpoises which are frequent visitors to this bay. You can partake in a spot of surfing. You can visit Peasholm Park which is very close by and have a go on the pedaloes, Also close by are the Northstead Manor Gardens where you can go on the historic water chute and the boating lake. This is where the North Bay Railway is, from where you can take the short train journey to Scalby Mills and visit the very interesting Sealife Centre. For some history action, you can visit Scarborough Castle which is just up on the hill.
Useful Information: Dog Restrictions - Dogs not allowed on the main bit of North Bay (from Peasholm Gap to The Promenade Cafe). Dogs are allowed on the beach from Peasholm Gap heading south towards Scarborough. Dogs are allowed in Peasholm Park on the lead and on the North Bay Railway. Dogs are not allowed in the sealife centre. Dogs on leads are allowed at Scarborough Castle. There is no parking on site at Scarborough Castle, but there is parking in the area.
BOGGLE HOLE
Dog Policy: Dogs Allowed
Boggle Hole is on the same stretch of beach as Robin Hood's Bay and at low tide you can walk from Boggle Hole to Robin Hood's bay in about 10 minutes. This is where smugglers would land their contraband in days of old. The name Boggle means a sort of hobgoblin that folklore said inhabited the coves and nooks and crannies along this bit of coast. It is a very interesting stretch of beach with dramatic cliffs and a river which runs onto the beach which is a great source of entertainment for children (don't forget your wellies - you might have to cross it!). There is some excellent fossil hunting to be had here - fossils can be found along the foreshore, particularly after storms or when the sand has been washed away. (Make sure you don't go too close to the cliffs, they do crumble, quite a big chunk of cliff fell off when we were last there and it hit the ground with right old thump.) It is quite a steep walk down to the beach from the parking at the top. Just before you reach the beach, you go past the popular Boggle Hole YHA, which underwent a £1.2m refurbishment in 2015. They have multiple bedrooms including dorm rooms, family rooms and ensuite rooms and a cafe / bar which is open to the public.
Useful Information: It is about 500m from the parking down to the beach. You can't stay overnight with dogs in the YHA , but dogs are allowed in the cafe / bar area. Boggle Hole is signposted as a turn to the right off the A171 from Scarborough to Whitby. Postcode YO22 4UQ
Dog Policy: Dogs Allowed
Boggle Hole is on the same stretch of beach as Robin Hood's Bay and at low tide you can walk from Boggle Hole to Robin Hood's bay in about 10 minutes. This is where smugglers would land their contraband in days of old. The name Boggle means a sort of hobgoblin that folklore said inhabited the coves and nooks and crannies along this bit of coast. It is a very interesting stretch of beach with dramatic cliffs and a river which runs onto the beach which is a great source of entertainment for children (don't forget your wellies - you might have to cross it!). There is some excellent fossil hunting to be had here - fossils can be found along the foreshore, particularly after storms or when the sand has been washed away. (Make sure you don't go too close to the cliffs, they do crumble, quite a big chunk of cliff fell off when we were last there and it hit the ground with right old thump.) It is quite a steep walk down to the beach from the parking at the top. Just before you reach the beach, you go past the popular Boggle Hole YHA, which underwent a £1.2m refurbishment in 2015. They have multiple bedrooms including dorm rooms, family rooms and ensuite rooms and a cafe / bar which is open to the public.
Useful Information: It is about 500m from the parking down to the beach. You can't stay overnight with dogs in the YHA , but dogs are allowed in the cafe / bar area. Boggle Hole is signposted as a turn to the right off the A171 from Scarborough to Whitby. Postcode YO22 4UQ
ROBIN HOOD'S BAY
Dog Policy: Dogs Allowed
Robin Hood's Bay is a very picturesque fishing village in North Yorkshire. The beach here is a sandy beach with rock pools to explore at low tide. There is lots to explore in Robin Hood's Bay, with quite a few cafes, pubs, restaurants and shops to visit along the cobbled streets down to the sea. There are also several ice-cream and fish and chip opportunities. Towards the bottom, there is the Robin Hood's Bay Museum where you can learn about the smuggling history and more. You will find the National Trust Coastguard Museum on the slipway. Also here is the very interesting Dinosaur and Fossil Museum and shop, where there are lots of really interesting fossils from around the area on display, with lots of smaller fossils which you can buy. If the fossil museum has inspired you, you can hunt for your own fossils on the beach. At low tide you can walk to Boggle Hole (about 10 minutes) where you will also find the Boggle Hole YHA Cafe. Visiting here is a perfect family day out with lots to keep everyone amused.
Useful Information: It is a steep walk down to the beach. You have to park at the top and walk down. Postcode: YO22 4QN
Dog Policy: Dogs Allowed
Robin Hood's Bay is a very picturesque fishing village in North Yorkshire. The beach here is a sandy beach with rock pools to explore at low tide. There is lots to explore in Robin Hood's Bay, with quite a few cafes, pubs, restaurants and shops to visit along the cobbled streets down to the sea. There are also several ice-cream and fish and chip opportunities. Towards the bottom, there is the Robin Hood's Bay Museum where you can learn about the smuggling history and more. You will find the National Trust Coastguard Museum on the slipway. Also here is the very interesting Dinosaur and Fossil Museum and shop, where there are lots of really interesting fossils from around the area on display, with lots of smaller fossils which you can buy. If the fossil museum has inspired you, you can hunt for your own fossils on the beach. At low tide you can walk to Boggle Hole (about 10 minutes) where you will also find the Boggle Hole YHA Cafe. Visiting here is a perfect family day out with lots to keep everyone amused.
Useful Information: It is a steep walk down to the beach. You have to park at the top and walk down. Postcode: YO22 4QN
SALTWICK BAY
Dog Policy: Dogs allowed.
The National Trust owned Saltwick Bay is just up the road from Whitby Abbey. I had no idea this place existed until we got into the world of fossil hunting. Someone recommended this beach to us as a good fossil-hunting spot and sure enough it is a fossil-hunter's treasure trove. It is a sandy beach, surrounded by large shale cliffs with rock-pooling opportunities at low tide. You can find ammonites galore, belamnites in the shale, reptile fossils, plant fossils and even dinosaur fossils apparently. There is a holiday park at the top on the cliffs. The beach is accessed through the holiday park down a steep slope with steps, which can get quite slippery.
Useful Information: Please do be aware if you go - the cliffs are crumbling so don't stand too close to them, We could actually hear the shale tinkling as it was falling out of the cliffs. There is limited parking available before the entrance to the holiday park. The holiday park caters for caravans, motor homes and has mobile homes available for rent.
Dog Policy: Dogs allowed.
The National Trust owned Saltwick Bay is just up the road from Whitby Abbey. I had no idea this place existed until we got into the world of fossil hunting. Someone recommended this beach to us as a good fossil-hunting spot and sure enough it is a fossil-hunter's treasure trove. It is a sandy beach, surrounded by large shale cliffs with rock-pooling opportunities at low tide. You can find ammonites galore, belamnites in the shale, reptile fossils, plant fossils and even dinosaur fossils apparently. There is a holiday park at the top on the cliffs. The beach is accessed through the holiday park down a steep slope with steps, which can get quite slippery.
Useful Information: Please do be aware if you go - the cliffs are crumbling so don't stand too close to them, We could actually hear the shale tinkling as it was falling out of the cliffs. There is limited parking available before the entrance to the holiday park. The holiday park caters for caravans, motor homes and has mobile homes available for rent.
WHITBY
West Cliff Beach - Dog Policy: Dogs not allowed on West Cliff Beach from 1 May to 30th September
There are a few beaches that are accessible in Whitby. West Cliff beach, also known as Whitby Sands is our favourite. It is a large, sandy beach located at the north end of Whitby. You can walk down to the beach on various paths or you can take the Cliff Lift (located on the West Cliff promenade, operational from May-October) which takes you all the way down to the beach. There are donkey rides in the summer months and there are a variety of food options available. It is possible to walk along the beach towards Sandsend, depending on the tides. (It is about 1.75 miles from Whitby to Sandsend).
Useful Information: There is parking available in the area around West Cliff.
West Cliff Beach - Dog Policy: Dogs not allowed on West Cliff Beach from 1 May to 30th September
There are a few beaches that are accessible in Whitby. West Cliff beach, also known as Whitby Sands is our favourite. It is a large, sandy beach located at the north end of Whitby. You can walk down to the beach on various paths or you can take the Cliff Lift (located on the West Cliff promenade, operational from May-October) which takes you all the way down to the beach. There are donkey rides in the summer months and there are a variety of food options available. It is possible to walk along the beach towards Sandsend, depending on the tides. (It is about 1.75 miles from Whitby to Sandsend).
Useful Information: There is parking available in the area around West Cliff.
SANDSEND
Dog Policy: Dogs not allowed on the main bit of the beach from 1 May - 30th September.
Sandsend is a great stretch of sandy beach, north of Whitby. A big, wide, bay, it is popular with families. There is a small river that runs through the beach into the sea which is popular with younger children to splash about in and at low tide there are good rock=pooling opportunities. There are cafes near the beach and toilet facilities in the car park. Lifeguards are present in the summer months. At low tide you can walk from Sandsend to Whitby (about 1.75 miles)
Useful Information: There is a car park near the beach which has toilet facilities. Postcode YO21 3TG
Dog Policy: Dogs not allowed on the main bit of the beach from 1 May - 30th September.
Sandsend is a great stretch of sandy beach, north of Whitby. A big, wide, bay, it is popular with families. There is a small river that runs through the beach into the sea which is popular with younger children to splash about in and at low tide there are good rock=pooling opportunities. There are cafes near the beach and toilet facilities in the car park. Lifeguards are present in the summer months. At low tide you can walk from Sandsend to Whitby (about 1.75 miles)
Useful Information: There is a car park near the beach which has toilet facilities. Postcode YO21 3TG
RUNSWICK BAY
Dog Policy - Dogs Allowed
Runswick bay offers something for everyone. A sheltered, sandy bay, overlooked by small cottages, from when Runswick bay was a busy fishing village. Runswick Bay has nice, clean water and offers good paddling opportunities, clean sand for good sand-castle building and good fossil hunting. There is a cafe and a pub just up from the beach and it you fancy staying here, rather than just visiting for the day, the cottages are mostly holiday lets.
Useful Information: There is a pay and display car park just up from the beach, which has 80 spaces. In peak season it can be quite busy. It is a fairly steep walk down form the car park to the beach, but it is not too far. Postcode: TS13 5HT
Dog Policy - Dogs Allowed
Runswick bay offers something for everyone. A sheltered, sandy bay, overlooked by small cottages, from when Runswick bay was a busy fishing village. Runswick Bay has nice, clean water and offers good paddling opportunities, clean sand for good sand-castle building and good fossil hunting. There is a cafe and a pub just up from the beach and it you fancy staying here, rather than just visiting for the day, the cottages are mostly holiday lets.
Useful Information: There is a pay and display car park just up from the beach, which has 80 spaces. In peak season it can be quite busy. It is a fairly steep walk down form the car park to the beach, but it is not too far. Postcode: TS13 5HT
STAITHES
Dog Policy - Dogs Allowed
Staithes - a firm favourite with children, mostly because this is where Old Jack's Boat (a CBeebies programme) was filmed. Do be prepared though to find a reason to explain to the children why the boat isn't actually there. (Old Jack and Salty the dog have gone off on an adventure ususally works...worked for us...). Staithes is a very picturesque old fishing village. You have to park at the top and walk down the steep path, through the village which has a variety of shops and cafe. At the bottom you will find the fairly small beach. There is a lifeboat station just across the bridge at the bottom and there are a couple of pubs very close to the beach. There are good fossils to be found on the beach here, but be aware of the cliffs and don't go too close, there are often rock falls.
Useful Information: The car park is postcode: TS13 5AD
Dog Policy - Dogs Allowed
Staithes - a firm favourite with children, mostly because this is where Old Jack's Boat (a CBeebies programme) was filmed. Do be prepared though to find a reason to explain to the children why the boat isn't actually there. (Old Jack and Salty the dog have gone off on an adventure ususally works...worked for us...). Staithes is a very picturesque old fishing village. You have to park at the top and walk down the steep path, through the village which has a variety of shops and cafe. At the bottom you will find the fairly small beach. There is a lifeboat station just across the bridge at the bottom and there are a couple of pubs very close to the beach. There are good fossils to be found on the beach here, but be aware of the cliffs and don't go too close, there are often rock falls.
Useful Information: The car park is postcode: TS13 5AD
TOP NORTH YORKSHIRE BEACHES
We hope you have enjoyed our list of our favourite North Yorkshire Beaches. You can read about here our favourite East Yorkshire Beaches.
We hope you have enjoyed our list of our favourite North Yorkshire Beaches. You can read about here our favourite East Yorkshire Beaches.