The walk from Bridlington to Flamborough Head follows the England Coast Path along dramatic chalk cliffs, and if you time it right, you might spot puffins too. We went for the puffins and came away with far more.
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Essential Information
I wore hiking shoes and brought a walking pole, which was useful for the steep sections. However, I don’t think this is strictly necessary, and you can get away with doing this walk in a decent pair of trainers in good weather.
There are just a few places you can buy provisions en route: the Blu Savannah café near Sewerby Hall near the start of the route, and the RNLI shop at South Landing.
Pack water, snacks and sunscreen in your daypack. A pair of binoculars is essential if you want to explore the wildlife around the cliffs.
The Route
Fuelled by the excellent breakfast at our guesthouse (The Tennyson), we followed Bridlington’s North Beach north (the sea to our right). Passing a parade of beautifully maintained beach huts, the path leads towards Sewerby Hall and its famous gardens.
The Blu Savannah café was an excellent opportunity to top up our caffeine levels (their coffee was excellent), before continuing on the path.
Dane’s Dyke was the next landmark, where the path briefly veered inland before returning to the cliff tops.
We stopped for an ice-lolly at the friendly RNLI shop at South Landing – it would have been rude not to – and, refreshed, climbed the steepest steps of the day to South Cliff. Here, you can take a short detour to visit an art installation (we didn’t) before returning to the coastal walk
The stretch from South Cliff to Flamborough Lighthouse is the highlight of the walk. As the path hugs the cliff edge, you have unobstructed views of the North Sea. Seabirds wheel and shriek overhead, and there are fields fringed with scarlet poppies.
Along this dramatic coastline, there are sea stacks and arches carved by the waves of the North Sea. The so-called Drinking Dinosaur is the most famous of these,shaped uncannily like a dinosaur gulping the sea.
The lighthouse itself marks the official end point, although you’ll need to keep walking to North Landing to catch the bus for your return trip to Bridlington.
Getting Back to Bridlington
Rather than retracing our steps, we took the hourly bus service (14) from Flamborough North Landing to Bridlington. In 2026, the fare is £3 and the journey takes around 35 minutes. Check East Yorkshire Motor Services timetable before setting off, as there’s a reduced service on Sundays.
Puffin Spotting at Flamborough Head
Puffin watching requires patience, decent weather and a willingness to crane your neck at awkward angles for extended periods. These birds aren’t performing for tourists, they’re busy raising chicks, fishing and generally getting on with life.
However, with the right timing and a bit of luck, you’ll likely spot a few of these comical seabirds.
When to spot puffins
The best time to see puffins is from mid-April to late July. We visited in June, when they’re at their busiest tending nests and bringing in fish for their chicks, before disappearing back out to sea for the rest of the year.
How to spot them
Bempton Cliffs RSPB reserve, north of the headland, is the best bet if puffins are your main goal, though it’s awkward to reach without a car. We spotted ours on the cliff faces near North Landing.
Bring binoculars and patience, as their burrows sit on narrow ledges and they can be frustratingly hard to pin down. I didn’t have a long enough lens to get a close shot, but that meant I spent more time watching them rather than fiddling with a camera.
Other wildlife encounters
The puffins may get the headlines, but Flamborough’s wildlife roster runs much deeper. The cliffs are teeming with thousands of other seabirds, including kittiwakes and razorbills with their sleek black and white plumage and confident swagger.
There’s plenty of seal activity too, especially around the bays and inlets close to shore.
Should You Do This Walk?
If you want dramatic coastal scenery, good photography and a decent shot at wildlife without a multi day commitment, this route delivers. Unlike some coastal walks that require scrambling or technical ability, this route is accessible to most fitness levels.
The path is clear and well maintained throughout, and the bus back to Bridlington makes logistics simple. We paired it with a second day exploring Bridlington Old Town.
About Bridget
Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.
Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.
To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.