If you’re thinking about heading to the North Yorkshire Coast, chances are you will start off by thinking of the main seaside resorts of Whitby, Scarborough and Bridlington. But here are some North Yorkshire coast attractions that you may never have heard of. And these hidden gems should certainly should be on your to-do list for the future!
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North Yorkshire Coast Attractions – 5 Hidden Gems
It is very easy to miss these places amongst the hustle and bustle of the busier coastal resorts in the region. But I definitely think these smaller attractions are not to be missed!
Bondville Model Village, Sewerby
Sewerby is a small village to the north of Bridlington. And the village is more well known for having Sewerby Hall, a manor house that was once the home to the famous female aviator Amy Johnson.
But the first of my hidden gem attractions is the Model Village that can be found here. Bondville is a little miniature masterpiece. There is a working model railway that circles the town. Plus lots of village scenes have been recreated, some with movement and sounds. The star attraction is a castle and harbour, complete with lighthouse and boats. And the detail is amazing.
It is a great place to spend a couple of hours. It’s quite cheap to visit, and you get to play a spotter quiz as you walk around. Find all the clues and marvel at all the small details as you go.
Scarborough’s Historic Miniature Passenger Railway and Water Chute
I have visited Scarborough for many years, yet I only found out about this attraction last year!
If you carry on walking north from the wonderful Peasholm Park you come to the Scarborough Open Air Theater. And this looks out over the lake of Northstead Manor Gardens.
A small miniature railway runs around the outside of this park. And this in itself is one of the oldest miniature passenger railways in the UK, so is well worth a visit.
But also running into the lake is a large flume and boat chute. The boat chute is one of only three left in this country. And it is one of the oldest water rides in the world! Built in around 1930, the boat slowly releases and rolls down the track into the water with a large splash. The boat is then hauled back up the track to go again.
It is such a fantastic, unique and historic ride. And a real hidden gem of an attraction.
Falling Foss and Falling Foss Tea Rooms, Whitby
Whitby is probably my favourite resort on the north coast if I am honest. The whole gothic vibe of the town, its intriguing link to Bram Stoker and ‘Dracula’, the narrow streets and quaint shops are all definitely a draw for me.
And certainly my favourite spot in Whitby itself is the Abbey. Who could forget the 199 steps that you have to climb to visit this amazing ruined structure which dominates the cliff head?
But, just outside Whitby, signposted from the A171 to Scarborough is a woodland walk that ends with a waterfall and a tea room.
Falling Foss is a lovely site for a woodland ramble. And the tea room with its large garden is a great place to visit once you have explored the forest, streams and waterfall. It is a brilliant hidden gem tucked away in the North York Moors.
Staithes
If you have ever seen the CBeebies TV show “Old Jack’s Boat” then you will have seen the quaint seaside village of Staithes.
With its cobbled streets, tiny fishermen’s cottages and charming little shops, its a great place to spend the day. You can hunt for fossils down on the sands. Be prepared though! It’s a steep walk down from the village to the sandy beach of the bay.
Fancy a peaceful break away? Why not book a few days away from it all in a guest house or holiday cottage?
Filey Brig
Finally, some would say that the biggest attraction of the North Yorkshire heritage coastline is the stunning scenery. There are so many wonderful natural beauty spots to discover. From the sweeping flat sands at Hornsea to the stunning white cliffs and birds nesting at Bempton Cliffs, there are so many stunning sights to see.
But Filey Brig has to stand out for me as one of the most amazing natural gems of this coast. Found just north of the quiet seaside resort of Filey, the brig can be accessed by walking along the cliffs and down onto this long narrow peninsula. The special geology of the region has allowed this long natural section of rock to remain pointing out into the North Sea. And as the brig has plenty of rockpools, it brings its own selection of sea birds and wildlife to the area. You may even see puffins! It’s a great place to explore.