Seabird Cities

From April-August, more than a quarter of a million birds – including the charismatic puffin and the huge gannet – make a home on the Flamborough Headland where cliffs rise from 100ft to more than 400ft (higher than those of Dover).



Head to Bempton Cliffs & Seabird Centre for fantastic all-access viewing and live camera footage, or Flamborough Cliffs nature reserve (North Landing) for a more adventurous stroll to view into the secluded chalk cliff bays. The birds reside remarkably squabble-free in their high-rise terraces, with puffins and fulmars at the top, cascading down through common gulliemots, kittiwakes and razorbills, to shags and cormorants near the surf. Larger gulls patrol above and one or two pairs of peregrines often nest in the area too. Autumn sees shearwaters pass offshore, and skuas – the feathered equivalent of pirates - may join the passing migration south.


Wildlife boat trips include a traditional fishing ‘coble’ from Flamborough which sails right underneath the seabird colony and into local sea caves, or take the grand Yorkshire Belle from Bridlington for a longer, more sedate cruise along the coast.

Browse through our selection of self Catering, B&B and Glamping accommodation listed below to find your ideal base to explore the seabird population of East yorkshire.

(Flamborough Lighthouse image courtesy of VHEY)