Route: Bempton Cliffs
Area: East Yorkshire
Date of walk: 21st May 2019
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 6.8 miles
Ascent: 500 feet
Weather: Mostly sunny
Bempton Cliffs is home to one of the UK’s most spectacular wildlife displays. Around half a million seabirds gather here between March and October to breed on the tall chalk cliffs which overlook the North Sea. A long distance coastal footpath runs along the cliff tops, making this an ideal destination for walkers like me who are also interested in birdlife.
I parked as usual at the RSPB Visitor Centre at Bempton (where binoculars may be hired if you forget to bring them) and on reaching the cliff edge headed north, visiting the viewing stations on the way. The sight (and smell) of countless puffins, gannets and razorbills – to name but a few – was incredible
I hadn’t yet decided on a route, but the light was looking better north so I headed along the cliff top path and out of the main reserve. Beyond the reserve there was plenty of bird activity, but another special feature of this section of the walk was a carpet of red campion – a glorious sight against the azure blue sea and sky. I continued for another couple of miles until I reached an OS trig point on Buckton Cliffs, the highest point of the walk. From here there were views along the sands to Filey and Scarborough in the distance
From here there’s little choice other than to return the same way, which is no hardship when the scenery is as good as this, and when there’s so much birdlife to see
On reaching the Visitor Centre again I continued along the cliffs in the direction of Flamborough, visiting the remaining viewing platforms, which are ideally placed at the heart of the action. From here there are close up views of all the visitors, and RSPB volunteers on hand to help with identification and useful information
Just beyond Scale Nab, and having spent 5 hours here, it was time to retrace my steps back to the start. It had been another wonderful visit to this special place
For other walks here, visit my Find Walks page and enter the name in the ‘Search site’ box. It’s also possible to visit the cliffs from the sea, aboard the Yorkshire Belle, and for a link to this highly recommended trip, click here
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
The day before the walk, some garden flowers...
...and in keeping with the avian theme of the walk, a fledgling goldfinch, one of several
The parent goldfinch, and a male bullfinch who was clearly feeding a young family as he was back and forth all day...
Next day, the start of the walk as I leave the RSPB Visitor Centre and head for the sea
I arrive at the edge of the cliff - I'll visit the viewing platform on the right later, but for now I turn left
An early sighting of a pair of gannets
Nest building
With a wingspan of over 6 feet, they are a magnificent sight when seen in flight
Razorbills
Looking along the cliffs in the direction of Filey and Scarborough
I arrive at Jubilee Corner, the final viewpoint
Guillemot perched on the cliff face
More gannet action (I've put these photos together, which were taken at different times during the walk)...
I leave the main reserve to follow the cliff top path through an amazing carpet of red campion...
Gannets gathering nesting material ...
I continue along the path to the highest point of the cliff...
Looking inland
Red campion close up
I arrive at the OS trig point on Buckton Cliffs, about 2 miles from the Visitor Centre
Filey Bay from the trig point, and I retrace my steps from here
I enjoy the wonderful sight of the campion for a second time
Gannets have reserved every nook and cranny for the season
Kittiwakes in flight...
...and at rest...
....and squabbling
Fulmar
The North Sea, looking more like the Mediterranean
Looking inland, a barn owl (photos taken from a considerable distance and cropped, so a little blurred)
I continue along the cliff top in the direction of Flamborough, and pass by the Visitor Centre
Territorial dispute between a razorbill and a guillemot
Everyone's favourite - puffins
Life on the edge....
...guillemots...
...gannets...
...and kittiwakes
Looking back to the viewing areas
The Yorkshire Belle approaching the rock arch at Scale Nab
Zooming in
Looking down to Scale Nab...
Gannets again...
More gannet action...
I walk along the cliff top path to the final viewing area in this direction
Looking back to the sea arch at Scale Nab
A final view towards Flamborough before I retrace my steps back to the start
Another puffin sighting on the way back
...and one of many tree sparrows near the Visitor Centre at the end of a wonderful day
