One of the most spectacular sections of the Yorkshire coastline has been added to the King Charles III England Coast Path.
A further 21 miles of coastal path from Bridlington (Wilsthorpe) to Filey Brigg has been officially added, creating 208 miles of national trail from Bridlington to Bamburgh in Northumberland – the longest opened part of the trail so far.
The route forms the first section of the coast path to open since being renamed from the England Coast Path to the King Charles III England Coast Path to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III. It is the first section to open in the East Riding of Yorkshire and the last section to open in North Yorkshire. It completes 50 miles of coastal path within the county.
As well as Bridlington, the trail passes through Flamborough and the UK’s largest seabird colony, which can be viewed from the cliff tops at RSPB Bempton. Puffins, gannets, kittiwakes and guillemots can be seen on the sheer cliffs.
Starting just north of Bridlington near the Coast Guard Station, the route passes along the gently undulating low chalky cliffs rising to Flamborough Head, with its high stacks and cliffs, the most northerly chalk cliffs in the UK. Visitors can wind around the coves and bays used by smugglers in the 18th century, before arriving at the two lighthouses of Flamborough, the old Lighthouse from 1674 and the new 1806 lighthouse, both of which are Grade II listed buildings.
North of Bempton, the trail keeps to the cliff tops and reaches its highest point on Speeton cliffs where the views north on a clear day take in Filey Brigg, the site of a Roman Signal Station, Scarborough Castle, and Cloughton Wyke in the distance. Sections of new access give new views across Speeton Gap and Flat Cliff Gill, Reighton before entering Filey Country Park.
The trail also takes visitors past Sewerby Hall, just north of Bridlington, a Grade I listed Georgian country house and along a 19th Century Promenade, which is part of a conservation area. Primrose Valley, which also forms part of the route, was previously RAF Hunmanby Moor. Speeton Sands is peppered with the remains of WWII coastal defences and when the tide is right, shipwreck remains can be seen, including those from the steam collier, Laura, which ran aground in 1897.
National trail
While there were always trails along the cliffs, as a national trail the creation of the King Charles III England Coast Path’ has improved the popular ‘Headland Way’ route with better signage and easier access, making this Heritage Coastline of lighthouses, wildlife and the northern chalk cliff scenery more accessible for all.
Delivered by Natural England, The King Charles III England Coast Path will be a 2,700-mile long National Trail around the whole of the English coast.
Natural England has worked in partnership with local authorities to open 794 miles of the route so far and the trail will be fully walkable by the end of 2024 – connecting communities from Northumberland to Cumbria via Cornwall. The addition of the stretch in Yorkshire and another 36 miles opening at Crosby Sands, Liverpool brings to total to 851 miles now open.
Paul Duncan, Natural England area manager for Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire, said the boost to local economies by joining up existing coastal footpaths to create a stretch of high-quality, well-signposted coastal National Trail could be significant.
Patrick Wharam, countryside access manager for East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said, “We are extremely pleased that this first section of the new National Trail is open, linking North and East Yorkshire with the King Charles III England Coast Path.”
Accessibility
Filey, Bridlington and Bempton all have train stations on the same line within walkable distance of the route. There is a coastal bus service between Bridlington and Scarborough, the East Yorkshire 12, 12A, 12C and 13, which pass through Bempton, Buckton and Reighton as well as Filey. Flamborough and North Landing are serviced by the 14 bus to Bridlington.
A map showing a timetable for the work is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/england-coast-path-improving-public-access-to-the-coast
