The East Riding of Yorkshire is such an underrated part of the country. So many people dismiss it, or focus on the big-name national parks like the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors. But there are some truly stunning and unique places to visit here! If you’re planning a trip to East Yorkshire, this is the post for you: here are all the best places to see in East Yorkshire!
Flamborough Head
This chalky promontory juts out into the sea, with beautiful rock formations like the Drinking Dinosaur. There are some nice swim spots too (if the weather’s nice), like North Landing and Thornwick Bay. The lighthouse at Flamborough Head has been in use since 1806, although it’s now automated. There’s a great 8-mile hike that starts from Flamborough Head, goes north up the coast, cuts back through the village of Flamborough to South Landing, and finishes back at the lighthouse.
Read More: Flamborough Head: Hiking Along the Yorkshire Coast
Bempton Cliffs
Bempton Cliffs is one of the top birdwatching spots in the entire country. While the scenic cliffs falling down into the sea are beautiful, it’s the wildlife that really attracts people. This is one of the best places to spot seabirds in Yorkshire – gannets, guillemots, razorbills, and (my favorite) puffins nest here in their thousands between April and July. I have never seen so much expensive camera gear in my life – bird photographers will absolutely love Bempton Cliffs! If you park and enter the cliffs via the RSPB center, there’s an admission charge; but walking along the cliffs on the public footpaths is free.
Read More: The Best Places to Visit on the Yorkshire Coast
Bridlington
Bridlington is a seaside town, with a long promenade, big harbor area, and a huge stretch of sandy beach. Visit Sewerby House and Gardens, a pretty Georgian country house, which also operates a small road train into town. If you’re walking around the harbor, don’t miss the statue of Gansey Girl – it was installed in 2015 and pays homage to the families of fishermen.
Burton Agnes Hall
This beautiful stately home is one spot you can’t miss in East Yorkshire. Unfortunately, the house is closed in winter (when I went), but the gardens are simply lovely. Come in February and you’ll see the snowdrops – tiny white flowers blanketing the gardens and paths all around! They also host the Jazz & Blues Festival here each year.
Hull
Hull has gone through a tourism regeneration in the last few years. There are several museums around the city which you can visit (I recommend Wilberforce House and the Maritime Museum), plus it’s the home of the Deep – one of the biggest aquariums in the country. Don’t miss a visit to the gorgeous Hull Minster, which dates back about 700 years. If you visit, you need to spot one of the cream-colored phone boxes here – a symbol of Hull’s independent telephone system, which was owned by the city. These cream phone boxes don’t have a crown above the door.
Beverley
Is this the most charming place in East Yorkshire? It might just be. I love Beverley – it’s a pretty market town with lots to offer visitors. Time your visit right and browse the market stalls on a Saturdays or Wednesdays. Gaze in awe at the magnificent Beverley Minster (which has to be the best parish church in the country), see the minstrel’s capital at St. Mary’s Church, and learn about the regional history at the Treasure House museum. Make sure to find the cream phone boxes – like the ones in Hull, these are unique to East Yorkshire!
Read More: Beverley: One Place You Can’t Miss in East Yorkshire
Warter
One of the most charming villages in the Yorkshire Wolds, Warter can’t be missed. There’s a number of walks through the Wolds that start (or pass through) here. Photographers will want to snap the beautiful timber-framed houses outside the war memorial.
Fridaythorpe
Fridaythorpe is another village in the Yorkshire Wolds, with lots of great walks nearby. There’s a historic church and a pond – along with a pub, gas station, and a typically busy roadside cafe! The view down Holm Dale, close to the village, is especially pretty.
Stamford Bridge
This town is located on the River Derwent, which marks the border between North Yorkshire and East Yorkshire here. It’s the site of the historically significant Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066, which some historians say symbolized the end of the Viking Age. Check out the Grade II-listed bridge (built in the 1720s) and the Stamford Bridge viaduct – the viaduct is now only open for pedestrians and bicycles.
Read More: The Best Walks in and Around York, England
Spurn Point
How did it take me six years of living in Yorkshire to visit Spurn Point?! This is one of the coolest places I’ve been to in Yorkshire, and a top destination to visit in East Yorkshire! Spurn Point is a peninsula of land that juts out into the sea, separating the Humber Estuary from the North Sea. There’s no road access, so you’ll need to walk the 3 miles from the car park out to the lighthouses and the point. It feels like you’re going to the ends of the earth! Standing at the very edge of Spurn Point, where the two waters meet, was such a unique experience for me. While it’s a bit awkward to get to due to the location, you simply can’t miss Spurn Point on a trip to East Yorkshire.
Read More: Why You Need to Visit the Spectacular Spurn Point in East Yorkshire
Humber Bridge
Opened in 1981, the Humber Bridge is one of the most iconic sights in East Yorkshire. Visit Hessle and you can see the structure up close – there’s plenty of parking available for a stroll around the Hessle Foreshore. If you want to drive over the Humber Bridge (into North Lincolnshire), keep in mind that it’s a toll bridge and costs £1.50 one-way, and no cash payments are accepted.
South Cave
This is a hidden gem in East Yorkshire, but earns its spot on this list for the beautiful fields of sunflowers. Just outside of town, you’ll find numerous sunflower fields in bloom towards the end of the summer. I recommend parking in the large layby off Beverley Road (pin the exact location on Google Maps!), and walking the short loop down Comber Dale to Drewton Dale. Head up past Austin’s Dale, walk along the road, and return along the Yorkshire Wolds Way. The Yorkshire Wolds Way is a 79-mile, long-distance hiking trail that goes through the best parts of the Wolds.
Planning Your Trip to East Yorkshire
I visited all of these destinations as daytrips from where I live in York. However, there are so many great choices if you want to stay in East Yorkshire as a base for your adventures. I’d recommend Beverley as the most central location – Hull is also a good choice if you’re heading over towards the coast. Search for accommodation in Hull here, or search for accommodation in Beverley here! You can also use the map below to search.
The most convenient airport for East Yorkshire is the Humberside Airport, although keep in mind this is actually across the Humber Bridge in North Lincolnshire. Otherwise, Leeds Bradford airport is your best bet. I always use Skyscanner to find the best deals on flights. It’ll be more convenient if you have a car, but there are trains and bus connections throughout East Yorkshire. Note that there is no public transport to Spurn Point, so you’ll definitely need your own vehicle to get there! Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
East Yorkshire is such an underrated destination, with so much to offer visitors. Whether you want to spot birds on the coast, hike through the Wolds, or visit charming market towns like Beverley, you’ll find something you like in East Yorkshire. There’s still a lot more to this region I have yet to explore. I hope this post helps in planning your trip to East Yorkshire!
Have you visited East Yorkshire before? Where are your favorite spots?
You might also like my posts:
The Ultimate Yorkshire Guide: 99 Incredible Places to Visit in Yorkshire
The Best Places to Visit on the Yorkshire Coast
21 of the BEST Places to Visit in the North York Moors
The BEST Places to Visit in the Yorkshire Dales
The Wonderful Yorkshire Wolds: Hiking Around Thixendale
All of my Yorkshire posts!
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[…] This is one of the best places to see snowdrops in Yorkshire. While the hall itself is closed over the winter season, the grounds are open in February specifically to see the snowdrops. There are plenty of signposts around the gardens to point you in the right direction to see the best snowdrops. It’s one of my favorite places in East Yorkshire! […]