The Yorkshire Coast - a guide for visitors to the resorts of the Yorkshire Coast

The Yorkshire coast offers an amazing variety of scenery and resorts, varying tremendously in character and type. I've listed them from South to North, and as a general rule the southerly resorts are more suitable for beach holidays with young kids, while the Northerly resorts are more suited to those wanting an outdoors holiday.

Apart from the coast itself, the scenery inland varies. In the South, Filey and Bridlington back onto the Wolds, a beautiful area of undulating farmland, while Robin Hoods's Bay and Whitby are on the edge of the North York Moors, one of the most beautiful National Parks in the UK. In the middle is Scarborough, ideally situated to explore both areas. It's very difficult to recommend one resort over another, each caters to very different tastes as outlined below.

From a transport point of view, Filey, Brid, Scarborough and Whitby all have train stations, and there are buses up and down the coast linking all the resorts. So, without more ado, here's the overview.

Yorkshire Coastal Resorts

	Bridlington Brid was a bit of a dump in the 1980's, but has now been considerably smartened up and is rather nice. There are two magnificent beaches, and the whole place is very flat indeed, so an excellent choice for those who have trouble getting about. A little bit downmarket with cafes and chip shops on every corner, but nice for kids and plenty to do on a rainy day.
	Flamborough Flamborough head is a spit of land sticking out to sea. Ideal for those who want a rural type of holiday, and there's great walking round the cliffs. Brid is walkable to the South and Filey  to the North - though that's a fair step. There's no great beaches here, but the whole place has a lovely quiet rural feel, and the many campsites are well hidden so don't spoil the character of the place. Flamborough village itself has a good selection of pubs and a couple of decent takeaways. Highly recommended for a quiet holiday.
	Filey Filey is by far the best resort for children, with a lovely calm and pleasant atmosphere. Much smaller than Brid or Scarborough, it's a gentle place with a magnificent sandy beach that's family friendly in the middle and dog friendly at the ends. To the North of the bay is Filey Brigg, a rocky outrcrop going out to sea which is full of rock pools that kids love to poke about in, and possibly the lumpiest path ever. There are parks, lots of small shops, tea rooms, fishing cobles, camp sites, donkey rides and a pure 1950's atmosphere. Not a place for those seeking excitement.
	Scarborough Right in the middle of the coast Scarborough has the ideal position. Set astride two bays, with the dramatic Scarborough Castle in between them, it's a far busier, livelier sort of a place than Brid with more amusement arcades and pubs. As much a working town as a holiday resort it has surprises around every corner. It's very hilly and wouldn't be my first choice for a beach holiday, but ideal as a base for exploring the wider area.
	Robin Hood's Bay Bustling but romantic, the bay is an amazing place, built on the side of a hill that makes the place in the Hovis advert look flat. And cars are pretty much banned, so if you're staying near the bottom of the hill, travel light. The beach is rocky but very interesting, and the whole place is incredibly quaint. Three pubs, a couple of small cafes and a chip shop is about all for facilities, but lots of great walking round about, and it's even got a youth hostel at Boggle Hole.
	Whitby At the top of the North York Moors Whitby has so much going for it, it's unbelievable. It's old world, bustling, has the ruined abbey, the Dracula connection, long sandy beaches (bit bleak though), sea fishing, wonderful scenery just inland, Captain Cook, The Endeavour, the best seafood in Yorkshire, more Goth shops than anywhere else on the planet and a wonderful Folk festival every August. On the downside, the town can get very very crowded, especially on bank holidays.