Whether you’re chasing a classic family day out or a peaceful coastal escape, discover the perfect shoreline with our definitive guide to the best beaches across North and East Yorkshire.
You don’t need to board a flight to find pristine golden sands, dramatic cliffside paths, and clean waves. The Yorkshire coastline is packed with diverse seaside spots, from bustling resort fronts to hidden, fossil-rich bays. To help you plan your next coastal trip, we’ve rounded up the top beaches in Yorkshire, complete with insider parking tips, local safety details and seasonal dog restrictions.
Whitby
The tranquil Whitby beach is the ideal setting for whiling away a summer’s day. A Blue Flag Award winning beach, it’s wonderfully clean and high quality, with crisp gentle waters and golden sands. It’s a great option for anyone looking to take a dip, especially as the beach is patrolled by lifeguards during the summer season. Elsewhere, rock pools invite you to explore when the tide is out, or you can just laze back and enjoy the surrounding views of the dramatic cliffs and Whitby Abbey.
Best for: Families, swimmers and iconic coastal views.
Water quality and safety: Excellent. Proud holder of Blue Flag status with seasonal RNLI lifeguard patrols.
Dog policy: Seasonal restrictions apply. Dogs are banned from the main beach (West Cliff) from 1st May to 30th September.
Parking and accessibility: Paid parking is available at the West Cliff Car Park (YO21 3PT). There is a cliff lift available during the summer season to save you the steep walk down to the sand.
Insider tip: Because it’s a premier beach, the sand closest to the pier gets packed quickly on hot days. Walk about ten minutes further down the coast toward Sandsend to find plenty of breathing room and the best undisturbed rock pools.
Address: Whitby Beach, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO21 3EN.
Filey
This spacious five-mile stretch of sand serves up a quintessential seaside experience. Splash out and get swimming, with an RNLI lifeguard service on the beach in summer and a seafront paddling pool offering a refreshing alternative for little paddlers through May to September. A feast for the senses, Filey is also where you’ll find one of the best Yorkshire beaches for art lovers, thanks to the Sculpture Trail. It’s a selection of artworks along the historical promenade inspired by the town’s natural heritage.
Best for: Classic family days out, long beach walks and art enthusiasts.
Water quality and safety: Great for swimming with seasonal RNLI lifeguard cover and a dedicated kids’ paddling pool on the promenade.
Dog policy: Dogs are restricted from the main designated seasonal beach zones between 1st May and 30th September, but the northern end toward Filey Brigg remains dog-friendly.
Parking and accessibility: Direct, flat access from the promenade. Paid parking can be found along the seafront or at the Country Park Car Park (YO14 9HG) at the top of the hill.
Insider tip: If you’re walking the Sculpture Trail, keep an eye out for the giant high-backed fisherman bench – it’s the perfect, locally praised spot for a family photo frame with the sweeping bay right behind you.
Address: Filey Beach, Filey, North Yorkshire, YO14 9JQ.
Scarborough
Think of beaches in Yorkshire and there’s a good chance that Scarborough is the first picture that comes to mind. The seaside town is blessed with not one but two beaches, South and North Bay. South Bay is a bright and bustling scene, with that classic summer holiday feel courtesy of a backdrop of arcades, fish and chip shops and ice cream parlours. If you prefer a quieter scene, make your way to North Bay, where you’ll find the iconic rainbow-coloured chalets lining the promenade and views of Scarborough Castle above the cliffs.
Best for: Amusements and energy (South Bay); peace and scenic walks (North Bay).
Water quality and safety: North Bay typically holds higher water quality awards and features summer lifeguards. Take extra care swimming in South Bay near the busy harbour.
Dog policy: Both beaches operate a standard seasonal ban on main sections from 1st May to 30th September, with clearly marked dog-friendly zones at the far ends.
Parking and accessibility: Marine Drive connects both bays with plenty of pay-and-display parking. South Bay offers the historic Central Tramway cliff lift for easy accessibility down to the seafront.
Insider tip: You can walk from one bay to the other around the base of the castle headland via Marine Drive. It’s a beautiful, flat 25-minute stroll, but pack a jacket – even on hot days, the wind whipping around the castle headland can be incredibly brisk!
Address: North Bay Beach, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO12 7TN & South Bay Beach, West Pier, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO11 1PD.
Fraisthorpe
Dreaming of balmy and brilliant family days out? Fraisthorpe beach has you covered. This is a fantastic stretch of coast that forms part of the Bridlington Bay. It’s a hot spot for a number of fun activities, with the flat landscape and shallow waters here making it great for swimming, strolling and kite-surfing – or just packing a picnic and taking it easy. You can even bring your four-legged friend, as dogs are permitted on the beach all year round.
Best for: Dog owners, kite-surfers and escaping the traditional resort crowds.
Water quality and safety: Generally good, shallow waters make it popular for wading, but note there is no permanent lifeguard service here.
Dog policy: Exceptionally welcoming – 100% dog-friendly 365 days a year.
Parking and accessibility: Accessed via Auburn Farm. There is a large, independent pay-and-display field car park right behind the dunes, providing very easy, flat access to the beach.
Insider tip: Because it lacks commercial boardwalks, facilities are sparse on the sand itself. However, the beloved The Cow Shed café sits right by the farm car park – stop there for a locally sourced artisan ice cream or an excellent post-walk coffee.
Address: Fraisthorpe Beach, Fraisthorpe, East Yorkshire, YO15 3QU.
Sandsend
If you are looking for a sprawling, golden playground without the bustling crowds of nearby Whitby, Sandsend is the perfect antidote. This picturesque stretch of the heritage coastline is uniquely split by small, freshwater becks running down from the North York Moors straight into the sea. The main beck provides a shallow, safe paddling area for toddlers, while the open sea features a dedicated, lifeguarded zone for swimmers during the peak summer months.
Best for: Families with young children, surfers and coastal walkers.
Water quality and safety: Excellent. Zoned areas for swimming are patrolled by RNLI lifeguards from 1st May to 30th September.
Dog policy: Seasonal restrictions apply. Dogs are banned from the main beach area between 1st May and 30th September, though areas toward the cliffs remain open to them.
Parking and accessibility: Multiple pay-and-display car parks line the seafront (Sandsend Car Park, YO21 3SU), offering flat, direct access onto the sand without steep climbs.
Insider tip: Instead of driving between Whitby and Sandsend, park at Sandsend at low tide and enjoy the stunning, flat 90-minute walk along the sand straight into Whitby. Just make sure to time your return journey before the tide cuts off the beach route, or grab the local X4 bus back.
Address: Sandsend Beach, Sandsend, North Yorkshire, YO21 3SU.
Robin Hood’s Bay
Rich in history and striking to look at, Robin Hood’s Bay is a coastal gem with a dramatic past rooted in 18th-century smuggling. At high tide, the beach is almost entirely submerged by the North Sea, but as the water recedes, it reveals an expansive, rocky playground of ancient scars and rock pools. Sitting firmly on Yorkshire’s “Dinosaur Coast,” it’s one of the UK’s premier spots for finding ammonite and belemnite fossils embedded in the shale.
Best for: Fossil hunting, rock-pooling and atmospheric coastal walks.
Water quality and safety: Not recommended for swimming. The waters are notoriously chilly, currents can be strong and the terrain is heavily rocky.
Dog policy: 100% dog-friendly all year round with no seasonal restrictions.
Parking and accessibility: Cars are banned from the old village. You will need to park at the top of the cliff at Bank Top Car Park (YO22 4RL). Be prepared for a steep, cobbled walk down to the bay – and a strenuous walk back up. It is not ideal for those with limited mobility or heavy prams.
Insider tip: Before heading down, check the local tide times online. You want to arrive at least an hour before low tide to get the best fossil hunting experience safely. Once you’re done, reward your calves for climbing the hill with a pint at The Bay Hotel, sitting right on the sea wall.
Address: Robin Hood’s Bay, North Yorkshire, YO22 4SJ.
Cayton Beach
You can leave the passport at home – one trip to Cayton Beach and you’ll be soaking up the holiday vibes. This scenic, sweeping bay sits amongst unspoiled beauty in the area between Filey and Scarborough. It boasts all the wonders of the Yorkshire Coast, with clean waters, excellent facilities including refreshments and a public toilet and a quieter atmosphere that offers ideal conditions for walking, surfing and bird watching. It’s particularly beautiful in warmer weather, but no matter what the time of year, you won’t regret a visit to Cayton Beach.
Best for: Surfers, nature lovers and avoiding heavy tourist crowds.
Water quality and safety: Highly rated water quality. It is a popular surfing destination, meaning waves can get quite large. Check local surf reports if you’re a beginner.
Dog policy: 100% dog-friendly all year round with no seasonal restrictions.
Parking and accessibility: Parking is available at the clifftop water tower or the Surf Shop car park. Be aware that the path down to the beach is a fairly steep, winding woodland trail that can get slippery after a classic British rain shower.
Insider tip: Cayton Bay is a geologically fascinating spot. Keep your eyes on the cliffs to see dramatic evidence of ancient landslips, and check out the crumbling WWII pillboxes right on the beach that have slowly slipped down from the hills over the decades.
Address: Cayton Bay Beach, Cayton Bay, North Yorkshire, YO11 3NP.
Staithes
Looking as though it was plucked straight from a postcard, the small but perfectly formed Staithes beach is a real feast for the eyes. It’s backed by the seafront of the quaint fishing village and enveloped by dramatic cliffs, creating a secluded spot that takes the crown as one of the prettiest along the East Coast. It comes highly recommended for those wanting to indulge in some fossil hunting, thanks to its location on the Dinosaur Coast, but it doesn’t offer the best water quality, so it’s best to avoid swimming here.
Best for: Photography, rock-pooling and exploring a historic fishing village.
Water quality and safety: Not recommended for swimming. The beach sits within a working harbour shelter where water quality can fluctuate significantly.
Dog policy: 100% dog-friendly all year round with no seasonal restrictions.
Parking and accessibility: Strictly no visitor parking in the old village at the bottom. You must park at the Staithes Bank Top Car Park (TS13 5AD) and walk down the very steep, winding road into the historic centre.
Insider tip: While the beach itself is tiny, the real magic happens at low tide. Walk past the harbour wall onto the exposed rock flats to find some of the most densely populated rock pools on the coast – just wear sturdy shoes as the shale is incredibly slick with seaweed.
Address: Staithes Beach, Staithes, North Yorkshire, TS13 5DH.
