Filey Bay is one of the great British family beaches, five miles of firm golden sand, and the wider Yorkshire coast turns the whole holiday into time in and on the water. Paddling and rockpools for the little ones, surfing and paddleboarding for the older ones, and an inflatable aqua park when you want a proper day out. Here is how to make the most of it from Caramel Cottage.

The beach at the end of the lane

The nearest beach, Hunmanby Gap, is a short walk down from The Bay: a quiet, natural beach that empties out at low tide for buckets, spades, kites and cricket. It is not lifeguarded and the currents can be strong, so keep a close eye on children, even when paddling. For lifeguarded swimming in summer, head the few minutes into Filey, where RNLI lifeguards patrol the main beach daily from late May to early September (10am to 6pm). Always swim between the red and yellow flags.

Rockpools and clear water

At low tide, Filey Brigg, the rocky headland at the north end of the bay, is superb for rockpooling, with crabs, small fish and the odd starfish in the pools. A little further down the coast, North Landing at Flamborough (pictured above) has some of the clearest water in Yorkshire, tucked under white chalk cliffs, a lovely spot for a paddle and a snorkel on a calm day. Sensible footwear and an eye on the tide times, always.

Learn to surf at Cayton Bay

When someone fancies more, Cayton Bay, about 15 minutes up the coast, is the best-known surf beach on this stretch. Scarborough Surf School runs from the bay seven days a week, all year round, with qualified instructors who are also trained lifeguards. Group lessons suit complete beginners and improvers, there is a summer kids’ club, and they also teach stand-up paddleboarding and coasteering. The clifftop base has parking, changing rooms, hot showers and toilets. Check current prices and book ahead at scarboroughsurfschool.co.uk.

North Yorkshire Water Park

For a full day on the water, North Yorkshire Water Park at Wykeham Lakes is around 35 to 40 minutes’ drive, just west of Scarborough. The star turn is the inflatable aqua parks (Warrior, Wipeout and Splash Kingdom), a floating assault course of slides, climbing walls and wipeout zones, and there is paddleboarding, kayaking, pedaloes, open-water swimming and wakeboarding too. Sessions get booked up in the school holidays, so reserve in advance.

Caramel Cottage sleeps six, is dog-friendly and family-friendly, and sits minutes from the sea at The Bay, Filey. Book direct through Filey Bay Direct and pay the best price.