29km (18 miles) SE of Scarborough
Bridlington is a good starting point for a trip up the North Yorkshire coast. A fishing port with an ancient harbor, the wide beach and busy seafront markets draw crowds who enjoy relaxing on the sand or browsing through the gift shops and stalls that line the streets. Flamborough Head is one of the most distinguishable features on England's east coast. Jutting out into the North Sea, it features a 26m-tall (85-ft.) lighthouse that stands atop a chalk cliff towering 51m (170 ft.) above the sea. A path that winds up the cliffs ends at Bempton, site of a bird sanctuary that is one of the finest reserves on the coast. You can enjoy watching the seabirds or simply take in the view of the sea off Flamborough, the final resting place of more than a few ships. Bridlington also has many country houses that are open for tours, in addition to Pickering and Helmsley castles and the deserted village of Wharram Percy.
