YORKSHIRE / COASTAL ROAD TRIP / 14 MAPPED STOPS
Yorkshire Coast Road Trip
Follow the Yorkshire coast from Mappleton to Saltburn-by-the-Sea, linking huge beaches, chalk cliffs, fishing villages, wildlife, waterfalls and some of England's best-known seaside towns. Take two days for the highlights or slow it down over three days and give each stop the time it deserves.
The route at a glance
Why this road trip is worth doing.
The Yorkshire Coast road trip is not one single type of day out. It begins beside the fast-changing cliffs of East Yorkshire, reaches the white headland at Flamborough, passes the broad bays of Filey and Scarborough, then follows the wilder North Yorkshire coast through woodland, fishing villages and the unmistakable skyline of Whitby.
This version starts properly at Mappleton and finishes at Saltburn-by-the-Sea. That corrects the order in the old guide, which described Bridlington as the start while placing Mappleton before it. The complete drive is roughly 105 miles once the coastal stops and local access roads are included.
You could rush the route over a long weekend, but three days works much better. It gives you time to leave the car, follow short paths, explore the villages and enjoy the coast without spending the whole trip watching the clock.
Mapped and ready
See the route before you set off.
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Route overview
Yorkshire Coast road trip at a glance
- Route type: Linear coastal road trip
- Start: Mappleton Beach, East Yorkshire
- Finish: Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire
- Distance: Around 105 miles / 169 km, depending on local detours
- Recommended time: Three days, or two days with fewer stops
- Main stops: Mappleton, Bridlington, Flamborough, Filey, Cayton Bay, Scarborough, Hayburn Wyke, Ravenscar, Robin Hood’s Bay, Whitby, Sandsend, Staithes and Saltburn
A sensible three-day split
- Day one: Mappleton, Bridlington, North Landing, Flamborough Head, Filey, Cayton Bay and Scarborough
- Day two: Hayburn Wyke, Ravenscar, Robin Hood’s Bay and Whitby
- Day three: Sandsend, Staithes and Saltburn-by-the-Sea
The map is for planning rather than live turn-by-turn navigation. Road closures, parking arrangements and cliff or beach access can change, so check conditions on the day and follow signs on the ground.
Follow the route
1. Mappleton Beach
Begin at Cliff Lane Car Park and walk down towards Mappleton Beach. The exposed Holderness cliffs and broad sweep of sand make this a striking start, particularly when the tide is out. Fossils may wash onto the beach, but do not dig into the cliffs or stand beneath them: this coast erodes quickly and cliff falls can happen without warning.
After the beach, return to the car and head north towards Bridlington. This is the longest southern approach of the trip, so allow extra time rather than treating Mappleton as part of Bridlington.
2. Bridlington
Choose either North Beach or South Beach for a seafront walk, then head towards the harbour for fishing boats, food stops and a proper look at the working side of the town. Bridlington also makes a useful breakfast or early lunch stop before the quieter headland roads.
If you have more time, add Bridlington Old Town. If the itinerary is already full, keep this stop to the harbour and promenade so there is enough daylight left for Flamborough.
3. North Landing, Flamborough
Drive onto Flamborough Head and follow the signed road to North Landing. The bay sits between high chalk cliffs and is reached on foot from the car park. The descent and return can feel steep, so allow longer than the short distance suggests.
Walk down only when conditions are suitable, or enjoy the clifftop views if the beach access is wet, rough or busy. Keep well back from cliff edges and never rely on the map alone where a path has been closed or diverted.
4. Flamborough Head
Continue to Flamborough Head for the lighthouse, white cliffs and huge North Sea views. Short paths from the parking area give you a taste of the headland without turning the stop into a long walk.
For seabirds, make an optional detour to RSPB Bempton Cliffs before continuing to Filey. The main breeding season runs through spring and early summer, with puffins generally present from April to around mid-July, although wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.
5. Filey
Filey is the place to slow the pace. Its long sandy bay, gardens and traditional promenade feel calmer than the larger resorts on either side. Walk towards Filey Brigg for the wider view, or keep things simple with the beach, a bench and an ice cream.
This is also a good point to decide how much of day one remains. If you have spent longer at Flamborough or Bempton, continue to Scarborough and save Cayton Bay for another visit.
6. Cayton Bay
Cayton Bay brings a wilder edge back into the route. The beach is backed by cliffs and is well known for surfing, but access involves a walk from the parking area and may be steep or uneven in places.
It works best as a viewpoint or short beach stop rather than a hurried five-minute call. Check the tide, wear shoes with grip and stay away from unstable cliff faces.
7. Scarborough
Finish the first day in Scarborough. South Bay brings the harbour, traditional seafront and easy access to food; North Bay feels more open and is useful if you want a quieter walk. Scarborough Castle stands between the two and gives the stop a strong historic centre.
Do not try to cover both bays, the castle and the town centre late in the day. Choose one main experience and keep the rest for the morning if you stay overnight.
8. Hayburn Wyke Waterfall
From Scarborough, follow the main road north and use the signed local access near Hayburn Wyke. This is a walking stop: the waterfall is not beside the road. A woodland path leads down towards a rocky bay where the stream drops close to the shore.
The path can be muddy and there are steep, concealed drops in the woods. Keep children and dogs close, wear proper footwear and turn back if weather, tide or path conditions make the descent unsafe.
9. Ravenscar
Continue to Ravenscar for broad views over Robin Hood’s Bay and a fascinating glimpse of the resort that was planned but never fully built. The clifftop setting is the main reward, with short walks available around the National Trust landscape.
Seals can sometimes be seen on the shore below, but the descent is steep and the animals need space. Use a distant viewpoint, keep dogs under control and never approach, feed or surround wildlife.
10. Robin Hood’s Bay
Park at the top of the village and walk down. The lower streets are narrow, steep and not the place to search for casual parking. At the bottom you will find old cottages, lanes, cafés and the beach beneath the sea wall.
Allow enough time for the climb back to the car. If you walk onto the shore, check the tide and stay at least ten metres from resting seals.
11. Whitby
Whitby deserves more than a quick photograph. Walk around the harbour and old town, then climb the 199 Steps towards St Mary’s Church and Whitby Abbey if your group is comfortable with them. Drivers or visitors with limited mobility can also approach the abbey from the clifftop side and check the current official access information.
The town becomes extremely busy during events, school holidays and sunny weekends. Use a signed car park, arrive early and allow for a slower journey through the centre.
12. Sandsend Beach
Sandsend sits only a short drive north of Whitby and offers a more relaxed stretch of sand, sea wall and cafés. It is ideal for an early walk before the car parks fill or a quieter pause after a busy morning in Whitby.
Beach space and safe walking distance depend on the tide. Check current restrictions if visiting with a dog and do not park outside marked bays.
13. Staithes
Leave the car at the top of Staithes and walk down into the old village. The route passes tightly packed cottages and narrow lanes before reaching the harbour. The steep return is part of the experience, so take your time and wear sensible shoes.
Staithes is compact but easy to linger in. Allow at least an hour if you want to reach the harbour, look around and return without rushing.
14. Saltburn-by-the-Sea
Finish at Saltburn for the pier, beach and views from the upper town. The historic cliff tramway connects the town and seafront when it is operating, but opening is seasonal and can be affected by maintenance or weather, so check before relying on it.
This is a strong final overnight stop, but it also has rail connections if one member of the group needs to return for a vehicle or continue without driving.
Live hotel map
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Before you go
Practical information.
Driving and navigation
Download the route before setting off and use a separate live navigation app for the roads between stops. The map shows the shape of the trip, but it cannot account for temporary closures, diversions or a full car park. Coastal village roads can be narrow, and progress is often slower than the mileage suggests.
Parking
Use signed public car parks and read the board at every stop. Charges, time limits, vehicle-height barriers and overnight rules vary. Robin Hood’s Bay and Staithes are easiest from the upper car parks, while Whitby and Scarborough are far less stressful when you arrive early.
Tides, cliffs and beaches
Check tide times before walking beneath cliffs or around rocky bays. Keep away from cliff bases and edges, do not climb on coastal defences and obey closures. The Holderness coast around Mappleton is especially fast-changing, while Hayburn Wyke and the North Yorkshire cliffs can become slippery after rain.
Families and accessibility
The road trip is flexible enough for families, but the complete experience is not step-free. Several stops include steep slopes, steps, rough beach access or uneven paths. Bridlington, Filey, Scarborough, Whitby, Sandsend and Saltburn all provide easier seafront options, but check each place’s current access information against the needs of your group.
Dogs
Many stops welcome dogs, but seasonal beach restrictions and local rules vary. Keep dogs on leads near cliffs, roads, livestock and wildlife, and give seals and nesting birds plenty of space. Check signs at the entrance to every beach rather than assuming one rule covers the whole coast.
Food, fuel and overnight stops
Bridlington, Scarborough, Whitby and Saltburn have the widest choice of food and services. Fill up before the more rural stretch between Scarborough and Whitby, and check opening times outside the main season. Scarborough and Whitby are the most practical overnight bases for dividing this route into three manageable days.
Build the whole day
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The route, hotel map, nearby ideas and free planning tools are all here when you need them.
See the shape of the journey
Return to the genuine route overview and interactive map before you set off.
Open the route map →Choose a base that makes sense
Compare live places to stay on the map instead of guessing from a list of names.
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Find a carefully placed attraction, experience or extra stop that works with the route.
See things to do →Take the useful bits with you
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Things to do near Yorkshire Coast, England.
Add a boat trip, historic attraction or guided experience to the journey. Whitby has the strongest concentration of bookable activities near the middle of this route, making it a useful base for a longer stay.
Useful answers
Yorkshire Coast Road Trip FAQs.
How long is the Yorkshire Coast road trip?
This mapped route is roughly 105 miles from Mappleton to Saltburn-by-the-Sea once the coastal stops and local access roads are included. The exact mileage will vary with parking choices, diversions and any optional detours.
How many days do I need for the Yorkshire Coast road trip?
Three days is the best fit for all 14 stops. Two days can work if you choose the highlights and accept a quicker pace. Trying to complete every stop in one day would leave very little time outside the car.
Where does the route start and finish?
The full route starts at Cliff Lane Car Park beside Mappleton Beach, HU18 1XX, and finishes at Saltburn-by-the-Sea. Travellers with less time can begin at Bridlington and remove the southern approach.
What is the best time of year to drive the Yorkshire Coast?
Late spring and early autumn usually offer a useful balance of daylight and smaller crowds. Summer brings the widest choice of seasonal attractions but also the busiest roads and car parks. Winter can be dramatic, although daylight, weather and opening hours are more limited.
Where next?
More road trips in Yorkshire Coast, England.
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Useful next steps
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