The Christmas festivities are over and it feels like a long time until spring. You could be forgiven for hunkering down and hibernating for the next couple of months.
We prefer a more positive approach: the winter months are some of the best times to explore the coast. On a gloriously crisp, blue-and-silver winter’s day, there’s no finer place to be than on a wide-open beach on the Yorkshire coast, breathing in that fresh sea air. It’s great for both your physical and mental health on so many levels – and if you choose to offset just a little of those health-giving properties by rounding off your walk with a tray full of golden, salty fish and chips, well, we’re not here to judge.
Here’s our collection of top picks for a winter beach walk. It’s by no means exhaustive – there are plenty of other delightful bays and coves along the coast with beaches which are perfect for walks (although whichever one you choose, we’d always advise you to check the tide times before you set off).
A couple of years ago, Filey’s five-mile crescent of golden sands was named as one of the top six beaches in the world by TripAdvisor, alongside (wait for it!) beaches in Majorca, Crete, Turkey, Florida, and even Australia’s legendary Bondi Beach (which is perhaps more Kylie than Filey – sorry, we couldn’t resist that one!). It’s so huge that there’s always plenty of space even on hot summer days, but in the winter, it’s even quieter. Round off your walk with tea and cake from one of the kiosks on the Coble Landing, and you’re guaranteed a happy day.
Scarborough is blessed with two matching bays with beaches which neatly mirror each other either side of the dramatic Castle Headland. The similarities end there, though – these two couldn’t have more different personalities. The South Bay is the glitzier sister, fringed by glittering amusement arcades, fish and chip shops and ice cream parlours. In the summer, it’s filled with sun-worshipping holidaymakers, so make the most of the quieter winter months to appreciate its beauty – you might even be tempted to take a dip: it’s popular with sea swimmers and surfers.
The North Bay is always that bit quieter, even in the busy months. At the northernmost end is the rocky outcrop of Scalby Mills, where you’ll find bird-watchers enjoying the flock of wigeon that’s chosen to make its winter home in the bay, alongside curlews, redshanks, cormorants, herons and more.
Hayburn Wyke
The walker stumbling across Hayburn Wyke could be forgiven for thinking they’ve discovered a magical place – a double waterfall cascades from the surrounding cliffs into a mini lagoon on the beach, making it one of the prettiest locations on the coast.
It’s a bit of a hike down and back up again, though, so only tackle this one if you’re feeling hale and hearty. The beach errs towards pebbly rather than sandy, too.
Ravenscar
Another hike down a steep hill – albeit with a proper path – will take you to the beach at Ravenscar. There are colonies of both grey and common seals on the sands below the village’s towering cliffs, but we must stress – for both their safety and yours – that they shouldn’t under any circumstances be approached. They’re wild animals, and appealing as they look, they have sharp teeth and equally sharp tempers if there are seal pups around! Enjoy them, but at a safe distance.
Robin Hood’s Bay
The inclines are getting sharper the further north we go – Robin Hood’s Bay is famous for its precipitous main street leading down to the cobbled slipway to the beach (there are plenty of lovely places to rest on the way, though, with a coffee or something stronger). Once there, enjoy the rock pools and keep an eye out for fossils.
Whitby
You can choose from not one, not two, but three different beaches at Whitby! Upgang Beach is accessed via steep steps near the golf club and has no dog restrictions year-round; it’s popular with dog walkers, fishermen and surfers. Whitby West Cliff Beach (also known as Whitby Sands) is more accessible and edged by colourful beach huts which give a clue to its main users – families. Tate Hill Beach is a little wilder, and the place to go if you’re interested in finding the stuff that Whitby is famous for – the black gemstone, Whitby jet.
Sandsend beach is a stunner: a sweep of golden sand divided by a freshwater stream which is home to a colony of mallards, and with dramatic views of Whitby Abbey – when the tide’s right, it’s possible to walk along the beach from Sandsend to Whitby.
Runswick Bay has won a Keep Britain Tidy Seaside Award, which are presented to the best beaches in England and celebrate the quality and diversity of the UK coastline, many times, most recently in 2024. It was also the 2020 Beach of the Year in The Sunday Times, which described it as ‘near to perfection’ – what are you waiting for?!
You won’t get a long walk on Staithes beach, our northernmost choice – it’s not huge – but your step count will be boosted by the walk down the hill from the clifftop car park and the climb back up again. The beach is a little beauty, sheltered by the harbour and easily accessible from the pretty village which is packed with amenities.
Find further information on what else is on across the Yorkshire coast and beyond at visitnorthyorkshire.com
It’s not just you who needs a cold weather leg-stretch – our beaches are perfect for dog walking, and at this time of year, most of them are open to dogs. As always, we’d ask you to respect others by picking up after your dog and using the bins provided. If you want to check restrictions, please visit the North Yorkshire Council website.
