Often overlooked in favour of other more popular seaside spots like Whitby Beach, this beautiful five-mile expanse of golden sand has become a firm favourite among families, walkers, and those who simply love the sea and unspoilt shoreline. With an impressive 4.7 out of 5 rating on TripAdvisor, Filey Beach is rated higher than both Whitby and Scarborough beaches. Running from Filey Brigg in the north down to Bempton Cliffs, home to a popular RSPB nature reserve, the beach offers a wide expanse of firm, clean sand, especially at low tide, when a quarter-mile width is revealed.
Filey has been recognised in the 2025 Yorkshire Coast Seaside Awards and frequently meets Blue Flag standards for cleanliness and water quality. It’s a perfect spot for walking, kite-flying, playing in the sand, and even horse riding.
To the north, Filey Brigg is a rocky headland that offers exceptional rock pooling opportunities and marks the end or beginning of the Cleveland Way coastal walk.
Unlike some of the region’s more crowded beaches, Filey remains relaxed and traditional, with a long fishing history still visible today. Visitors can sometimes see local fishermen working from their traditional “coble” boats.
Lining the seafront is a historic promenade complete with a Sculpture Trail, showcasing artwork that reflects Filey’s rich maritime history and local wildlife.
Designed by artist Russ Coleman in collaboration with local residents, the sculptures were brought to life with the help of Mark Powers and Saffron Waghorn.
Filey town features quaint shops, traditional cafes, and a variety of local pubs and restaurants. Just a short drive away, the dramatic RSPB Bempton Cliffs soar over 300 feet above the sea and serve as a sanctuary for thousands of seabirds, including puffins, gannets, and kittiwakes.
Surpassing both beautiful Whitby and Scarborough, one Reddit user said that Filey Beach was their “favourite UK beach”.
One person from Selby said on TripAdvisor that it is “the best beach in Yorkshire” that’s “perfect for families” while Lou, from Derbyshire called it the “best on the east coast” and wrote: “This beach is so clean and great for a stroll. Its crescent shape helps with the strong winds and the sand itself is perfect for walking on its the best on the east coast for sure.”
Another person wrote: “Still the finest beach on the planet, with over five miles of glorious, firm, golden sand, stretching from Filey Brigg to the chalk cliffs at Speeton. The last two times that we have been, it was high tide and the beach wasn’t visible, as the water comes right in. This time the tide was out and we could enjoy the magnificent spectacle.”
Someone else from Warth-upon-Dearne said: “We love Filey and have done for over 20 years, when the weather is good it’s the best beach in Britain.”
