The Yorkshire coast packs a lot into a short drive. From Caramel Cottage on The Bay, Filey, you can be on a Blue Flag beach, a puffin cliff, a Gothic abbey or a Georgian hall within the hour. Here are the best days out, with drive times. Opening hours and prices change, so check the official site before you set off.

Filey and The Bay

Start on the doorstep. Filey Brigg is a dramatic rocky headland for a bracing walk; the long beach is made for buckets, spades and dogs; and the town does a proper Yorkshire fish and chips. On The Bay itself the leisure centre (pool, sauna and gym) is included with your stay, which is handy on a wet afternoon.

Scarborough (about 20 minutes)

Two big beaches, a clifftop castle with 3,000 years of history, and SEA LIFE at Scalby Mills for the little ones. Peasholm Park and the North Bay miniature railway make an easy morning with young children.

Bridlington, Sewerby and Flamborough (about 25 to 30 minutes)

South of Filey, Bridlington has a wide beach and a working harbour. Just above it, Sewerby Hall is a Georgian house with gardens and a small zoo. A little further round, Flamborough Head is a spectacular chalk headland with a lighthouse dating from 1806 and rock pools at North and South Landing.

RSPB Bempton Cliffs (about 30 minutes)

One of England’s finest mainland seabird colonies. Half a million birds nest on the chalk cliffs, and puffins are usually around from April to July. The viewing platforms are worth the trip on their own, even if you do not fancy the full cliff walk.

Whitby (about 45 minutes)

The abbey ruins that inspired Dracula, the 199 steps, a working harbour, whitby jet and some of the best fish and chips in the country. A full day out, and extremely dog-friendly around the town.

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway

For a proper day out, drive over to Pickering (about 50 minutes) and take a heritage steam train on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, one of the most popular steam railways in the country. It climbs 18 miles through the North York Moors, from Pickering up through Newtondale to Goathland (Hogsmeade in the Harry Potter films, and Aidensfield in Heartbeat) and Grosmont, and some services run right through to Whitby. Windows down, the smell of coal smoke and the moors rolling by: it is a guaranteed hit with children, and with anyone who remembers the age of steam.

York (about an hour)

Worth the drive for the Minster, the medieval walls, the Shambles and the museums. An easy rainy-day city for older children and adults.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best days out from Filey?

Within about 45 minutes of Caramel Cottage you have Scarborough, Bridlington, Sewerby Hall, Flamborough Head, RSPB Bempton Cliffs and Whitby, with York about an hour away by car. Filey itself has the Brigg, the beach and its famous fish and chips.

What is there to do near Filey when it rains?

Good wet-weather options include SEA LIFE at Scarborough, the house and gallery at Sewerby Hall, the shops, cafes and museum in Whitby, and the free leisure centre (pool, sauna) on The Bay itself.

Can you see puffins near Filey?

Yes. RSPB Bempton Cliffs, about 30 minutes south, is one of England’s best mainland seabird colonies. Puffins are usually seen from around April to July, with gannets present into the autumn.

How far is York from Caramel Cottage?

York is roughly an hour away by car and makes an easy day trip for the Minster, the city walls and the museums.

Base yourself at Caramel Cottage, a dog-friendly cottage on The Bay, Filey. See the cottage and check availability →   Holidaying with a dog? See our dog-friendly Filey guide →