Bridlington (Population 37,000) is the second largest town on the Yorkshire coast and the largest town in East Yorkshire. It is still much smaller than Scarborough. Bridlington is the largest shell fish port in Europe and has a thriving fishing fleet all of which use crab pots to catch brown crab and lobsters. The seafront is centered on the Harbour with good beaches both to the North and South. It may not quite as fashionable as the other three resorts but probably has the best beaches and is less hilly as the cliffs are lower.
Bridlington Bay is the the only large body of sheltered water on the Yorkshire coast. It is sheltered from Northerly seas by Flamborough Head and Smithic Sands lies across the mouth of the Bay protecting it from the worst of the easterly gales as well. This all makes Bridlington an excellent place for boat trips into calm water and makes its long sandy beaches probably the safest on the Yorkshire coast. They are so extensive they rarely seem crowded.
Bridlington has the largest outdoor funfair on the Yorkshire coast with rides for all ages including old favourites like dodgems. The funfair is just to the North of the harbour near the busiest part of the town. Bridlington is also the closest seaside resort to Flamborough Head with its stunning white cliffs and small coves which are worth a visit wherever you stay on the Yorkshire Coast.
Bridlington beaches and seafront
The cliffs at Bridlington are low so getting around is easy with no big hills. There is also a land train which runs along the seafront. The largest area of good sand is to the south of the harbour. There are many places where there is still sand at high water and this is cleaned daily. You can see the high water mark on small tides on these photos leaving a lot of the beach still available. There is also a fairly large shallow paddling pool which does get warmer than the sea. The central part of the South Beach is arguably the nicest place for a day on the beach. All the facilities are close by.
The East riding Council page has details of all facilities on Bridlingtons seafront including Beach Chalet hire
Bridlington Spa is on the seafront and thanks to a major rebuild a few years ago is not only the biggest theatre but also the swankiest on the coast. the Spa also has an excellent coffee shop overlooking the sea and some of the best scones around. Visit Bridlington Spa’s website to see what is on.
To the North of Bridlington you can walk along the beach (or cliff top) to the the low chalk cliffs of Sewerby and then on to Flamborough head proper. It is possible to walk all the way around the cliff top of Flamborough to Filey. Bridlington beach gets increasingly stony as you leave Bridlington harbour and head North.
The area just to the North of Bridlington harbour has nice sand but does get covered as the tide comes in. You are also close to the funfair and the harbour attractions here. As you go further North the beach gets increasingly stony with attractive white chalk stones and does not get particularly busy. At low water there is nice sand.
There is a good footpath all the way to Sewerby Park as it climbs slowly onto the chalk of Flamborough Head. It then follows the cliff top on the grass. You can continue as far as you like and the next spots you come to on the cliff top are Danes Dyke and then South Landing. Both Danes Dyke and South landing usually have nice small beaches when the tide is out as well as rocks to hunt for crabs etc.
Sewerby park
Sewerby Hall has attractive informal gardens and park land overlooking Bridlington Bay. You can have a long walk up from Bridlington or get on the land train or of course take your car.
Sewerby Hall has a very attractive walled garden which is a blaze of colour for much of the year. There are a lot of simple attractions inside Sewerby Park; a play park, popular pitch and putt golf, mini zoo, puttng green, outdoor table tennis and a very nice cafe. Sewerby Hall itself has been refurbished. The Hall was used in October 2014 for the filming of the new Dads army Film starring Catherine Zeta Jones, Sarah Lancashire, Bill Nighy and Michael Gambon. It is still probably the cheapest stately home and gardens package in the county .Sewerby park has all sorts of events and you should go to their website if planning a visit
Bridlington harbour and funfair
Bridlington seafront funfair has lots of rides both for the very young and more scary rides too. Although it would not claim to rival the big theme parks, none of the other Yorkshire coast resorts have anything approaching it in scale. On the seafront above the park there are lots of amusements, bowling alley and cinema .
Bridlington has a brand new leisure center and swimming pool. Bridlington Leisure center is just above the funfair. It also includes a climbing wall a first for Bridlington and is very popular.
Many people go fishing off Bridlington’s South Pier. It is a very easy place to fish near high water onto the sandy beach. Flounders, dabs and occasionally mackerel and bass are caught.There are a couple of shops which sell cheap fishing tackle and bait. Many visitors enjoy a stroll along the South Pier. It is in fact a designated Ancient monument. Bridlington harbour is at the centre of the seafront and has various sea trips you can go on including the stately Yorkshire Belle, speed boats and a pirate ship. There are also angling trips. Bridlington bay is invariably the calmest place on the coast so a good place for that trip out to sea.
This Youtube video shows both the pirate ship and speedboats. The Bridlington fishing fleet lands its catch of crabs and lobsters on the end of the South Pier. There is a balcony above the landing area so visitors can safely watch the unloading.