Filey, a charming seaside town, boasts a scenic promenade, traditional seafront, and the stunning Filey Brigg. Further along the coastline, discover the expansive sandy shores of Speeton Sands, known for its natural beauty and fossil-rich cliffs.
Where is Filey?
Filey is a seaside town located on the east coast of England in North Yorkshire, approximately 7 miles south of Scarborough and about 40 miles east of the city of York.
Where is Filey Beach?
A Filey Beach from the town centre. The beach runs along Filey Bay, offering a long stretch of sandy coastline.
What to see and do in Filey
In addition to the award-winning sandy beach, Filey offers a range of activities and attractions for visitors to enjoy. Here are some things to do:
- Filey Brigg: Explore this narrow peninsula jutting out into the North Sea. It's a great spot for birdwatching and offers stunning views to Flamborough Head on the opposite side of Filey Bay.
- Coble Landing: Wander around Coble Landing at the northern end of Filey. An historic area where traditional fishing cobles are launched, there are also cafes and restaurants nearby.
- Filey Bird Garden and Animal Park: Family fun with a variety of birds, animals, and beautiful gardens.
- Filey Museum: Learn about the local history and heritage of Filey through exhibits on fishing, maritime history, and the development of the town.
- Bempton Cliffs Nature Reserve: Take a short drive to Bempton Cliffs, a renowned RSPB reserve famous for its seabird colonies, including puffins, gannets, and kittiwakes.
- Walking and Cycling: Explore the surrounding countryside with various walking and cycling routes, including the Yorkshire Wolds Way. Local bicycle hire shops include Bay Hire or Wheely Active.
- Filey Dams Nature Reserve: Set back from the town centre, this last remaining freshwater marsh of any size in the area is ideal for birdwatching and wildlife.
Where is Speeton Sands?
Speeton Sands is located near the village of Speeton, approximately 4 miles south of Filey.
What to see and do at Speeton Sands
Speeton Sands offers a serene coastal setting with a focus on natural beauty and geological interest.
The beach offers a long stretch of dead-flat walking, where the sandstone of Filey Brigg gives way to the towering chalk cliffs of Bempton - perfect for fossil hunting.
Speeton Sands is also known for its diverse birdlife, including seabirds, waders, and other species.
It's always wise to plan your visit either side of low tide, but there are opportunities to join or leave the beach at Filey, Hunmanby Gap and Reighton Gap.
Shipwrecks of Speeton Sands
The beach is peppered with the remains of coastal defences from the Second World War and that is entirely due to the gap between those chalk and sandstone cliffs. This area was at risk from a seaborne invasion and much evidence remains of hastily prepared defences, from the concrete tank traps known as ‘dragon’s teeth’ to lozenge-shaped pillboxes, some of which have slumped on to the beach due to coastal erosion.
In the event, these defences were never tested, but this is a coastline that has still seen its fair share of drama; the Yorkshire coast is littered with shipwrecks. There are some remarkable remains of the steam collier Laura on the beach, including the huge boiler barrels, parts of the hull and propeller housing, which are all visible at low tide. This Austrian steamship ran aground in dense fog in November 1897 while carrying coke from Newcastle to Trieste in northern Italy.
It is amazing that these huge sections of the wreck have survived the ravages of the North Sea for so long.
Where to eat near Filey and Speeton
- Beach Cafe: Dog-friendly cafe on the beach at Hunmanby Gap in Filey.
- Inghams Fish Restaurant: Just around the corner from the beach in Filey.
- Tommys: American-themed restaurant and bar as well as Country music venue in the town centre.
- The Boat Shed: Relaxed restaurant known for serving gin, pizza and tapas in the town centre.
- The Glass House at Charlottes: Traditional food, Sunday roasts and afternoon teas close to the seafront at Filey.
- The Honeypot Inn: Country pub with caravan site in Speeton.
Where to stay near Filey and Speeton
- The Bay Filey: Family- and pet-friendly village-style resort a 1km from Bay Beach and 12km from Bempton Cliffs. Check availability and book on Booking.com or TripAdvisor.
- All Seasons Boutique Hotels: Five-star hotel close to the Crescent Gardens, just a five minutes walk from the beach. Check availability and book on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.
- Filey Beach House: Self-catering home with great views of the beach. Check availability and book on Booking.com
Looking for other inspirational Days Out?
Our experts have complied a number of guides to North Yorkshire, including best walks in North Yorkshire, Scarborough and Wensleydale.
Want to find out more about our beaches? Check out our guide to British seabirds: how to identify and where to see them, British seashell guide: how to identify and where to find and Britain’s best winter beaches.
