Description
To the north and east of the beach at North Landing are the stunning secluded bays of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s Flamborough Cliffs nature reserve. Although shorter in stature than the 400ft sheer faces of nearby Bempton, the craggy bays and cave networks make for an equally intriguing place to explore.
On the clifftops, summer sees carpets of orchids burst into life, with a soundtrack of skylarks and an abundance of butterflies. The cliffs themselves have plenty to rival their famous counterparts further north, with kittiwakes, razorbills, guillemots and plenty of puffins too among the ledges. The closer proximity to the water means you may come under the watchful eye of grey seals, and for an even closer encounter try the boat trips offered by local fisherman directly from the beach in a traditional fishing ‘coble’.
A clear summer’s day will find the waters in the bay turn an array of tropical-looking blues and greens, and you could easily be forgiven for thinking you were anywhere but the Yorkshire coast!
Such is the similarity of the coastline to that of the south east of England, much of the exterior shots for the British-made 2015 film ‘Dad’s Army’ were made on location at Flamborough, providing a striking backdrop for Captain Mainwaring and his Home Guard friends.
Flamborough Cliffs Nature Reserve, as part of Flamborough Head, is designated as a SSSI, a SAC and a SPA, and is also a part of the Flamborough Head Heritage Coast.
A large reserve map and information display is situated at the top of the slipway with additional wildlife boards around the site. Toilets are available in the public car park at North Landing. Pubs and café’s are located very close by. Seabird spectaculars and ‘Peering at Puffin’ days run on regular weekends between May – July. The nearby YWT Living Seas Centre has great tips on rock pooling and the latest sightings of wildlife like whales, dolphins and porpoises.
