Whether you are planning a family day out with buckets and spades or a romantic weekend getaway, Yorkshire’s spectacular coastline is within easy reach.
From bustling resort towns with traditional penny arcades to hidden, romantic fishing villages filled with independent boutiques, this curated guide highlights the 10 best Yorkshire seaside destinations under a two-hour drive or train journey from Leeds.
No access to a car? Take a look at our guide to 10 days out in Yorkshire that you don’t need a car for.
Bridlington
The squall of seagulls, the gannets roosting on the rocks – the sheer number of seabirds is one of the first things you’ll notice about Bridlington, less than two hours from Leeds. The next might be the pair of golden beaches – one a shining stretch of golden sand for bathers and sandcastle makers, the other a curve of pebbles fringed with seaside fun like rides and amusements.
It’s almost enough to make you realise why esteemed painter David Hockney traded LA for this corner of the Yorkshire coast. Park yourself on the Blue Flag beaches or stroll along the harbour. You can even brave the waters or, if it’s a bit nippy, jump in a pleasure boat to see lovely Flamborough Head.
Distance from Leeds: It’s 65 miles – you can drive it in an hour and a half or get the train via Hull which will take two hours.
Where to eat: When it comes to food and drink, you’re spoiled for choice with the award-winning Fish & Chips at 149, the pick of the chippies in town – just watch out for those seagulls who know a good chip when they see one. For something more sedate, Little Sicily serves up fine Italian fare.
Good to know: For A-list shows and events, take a look at Bridlington Spa’s listings.
Sandsend
A wonderful contrast to some of the busier Yorkshire resorts, Sandsend is one of the most romantic seaside towns near Leeds. Ideal for a weekend escape far from the madding crowd, this peaceful village sits just north of bustling Whitby.
Explore the rock pools on the village’s quiet beach, prove yourself as an amateur palaeontologist by hunting for fossils or watch the tide ebb and flow before the sun sets on this gorgeous corner of the world. It’s an area beloved by walkers and geocachers, with little apartments and hotels to rest up in before another day of exploration.
Distance from Leeds: Sandsend is 74 miles from Leeds which will take you around an hour and a half in the car. Without a car, you’re looking at over three hours involving a train to Malton then two buses.
Where to eat: Give yourself a well-earned break at The Hart Inn, a dog-friendly delight that serves up a huge sharing seafood platter to match the wave views.
Good to know: If you and your special someone are away for the weekend, book in to Estbek House for two-AA Rosette dining. Local crab claws, Black Sheep-battered whitebait and a sensational seafood pie capture the mood perfectly.
Staithes
Occupying a particularly rugged yet beautiful portion of the coast near Leeds, Staithes is like something out of an old sea shanty or story. A narrow road lined with shops, pubs and houses curls down towards the water in a place that has made its living off the sea. Heck, Captain Cook got his first taste of maritime life when he lived here in the 1740s.
You can find out more about him – and the area – at the Staithes Museum, while a stroll from there will take you to the Staithes Art Gallery, showcasing some famed local artists. On your way down to the rockpool-studded beach, grab a pot of tea and a freshly-baked scone at Dotty’s Vintage Tearoom.
Distance from Leeds: It’s a 78-mile drive from Leeds which will take you around an hour and 40 minutes.
Where to eat: The Cod & Lobster pub is a great stop-off for local cask ales, but also a storied restaurant and inn that has fallen foul of stormy waves a few times. Order up some Whitby scampi or the signature dish that gives the place its name and you’ll be glad you came.
Good to know: The beach is ruggedly beautiful, popular with hikers en route to Whitby and Port Mulgrave.
Scarborough
When it comes to Yorkshire seaside towns, Scarborough has it all. Two beaches, ice cream shops, arcades, history, shops and pubs galore – making it the spiritual home of the seaside break. Jump on the train and it’s near enough to Leeds to have you on the beach in well under two hours.
If you’re looking for the quieter life, make a beeline for the more serene North Bay, or stick around the South Bay for the classic bucket and spade experience, with excellent chippies and sea view pubs aplenty. It makes for a great year-round destination for the family, with a famous open-air theatre, Scarborough Castle, museums, parks and even a Sea Life centre.
Distance from Leeds: Scarborough is probably the most accessible seaside town from Leeds. It’s 67 miles away – an hour and 20 minute drive or you can do it in an hour and 15 by direct train if you time it right.
Where to eat: Pubs and cafes pepper the streets, or you can head a little inland to the excellent The Farrier, where the menu beguiles with cured pork belly and market fish of the day.
Good to know: If you’re looking for a budget-conscious day out, a bag of chips and a stick of rock with your feet in the sand is the stuff that seaside memories are made of.
Hornsea
About an hour-and-a-half from Leeds, Hornsea is ideal for a day out. With its beach of soft sand and a lovely promenade to stroll along arm-in-arm, there’s no shortage of stuff to see and do. Grab a prime spot on the Blue Flag beach and let the waves lap at your toes, watching the fishing boats go about their business.
The 18th-century Hornsea Museum will whisk you back in time, filled to the brim with local pottery, or you can head over to Hornsea Mere, Yorkshire’s largest freshwater lake, to cruise in a motorboat.
Distance from Leeds: It’s a 69-mile drive which will take you around an hour and 23 minutes from Leeds.
Where to eat: Grab a drink and some pub food at The Rose & Crown, or search out local favourite Whitehead’s Fish & Chips for some of the best fried food you’ll ever taste – they even do plaice and ray, in addition to the usual cod and haddock.
Good to know: Make sure you take a walk down to the charming Bettison’s Folly. Built in the 19th century, this striking Victorian tower offers a unique glimpse into the past, having later served as an air-raid lookout during World War II.
Robin Hood’s Bay
Jump in your car and in about an hour and 45 minutes, you can be sitting on a deckchair at the glorious Robin Hood’s Bay, one of the loveliest beaches near Leeds. The fishing village is dotted with red-roofed cottages, the streets are cobbled and you almost expect to see wily old fishermen puffing on corncob pipes.
It was actually a hotbed of smuggling in the 18th century, and you can take tours today that bring those old but brilliant stories to life. These days, however, you’re more likely to leave the Bay with fossils than smuggled silk. In addition to gift shops, it’s a great place to pick up some Whitby jet jewellery.
Distance from Leeds: It’s 75 miles from Leeds which you can drive in around an hour and 45 minutes or you could get a train to Scarborough and a taxi on to Robin Hood’s Bay which will take the same amount of time.
Where to eat: You can browse for antiques and books before getting cosy in The Smugglers’ Inn, an atmospheric, candlelit wine bar which also has self-catering rooms for hire. A brunch at Brambles Bistro will set you up for a day of fossil-hunting and beach rambling.
Good to know: If you’re planning on staying over, book in for a ghost walk. It starts at the dock followed by strange and supernatural stories.
Whitby
Head to Whitby and there’s so much to do that you’ll be arranging your next trip before you’ve even left. Wonderful chippies, a Blue Flag beach, the looming splendour of Whitby Abbey and a Dracula attraction are just the tip of the iceberg.
There are arcades and funfair rides near the beach, places to go crabbing, the Captain Cook Museum and numerous seaside pubs. There’s no better place to get a bottle of Whitby Gin either, but the must-visit is Whitby Brewery – one sip of the Abbey Blonde will make the 199 steps up to the East Cliff worth it, as will the abbey view in the beer garden.
Distance from Leeds: Whitby is 73 miles from Leeds which you can drive in around an hour and a half. It might take longer by bus but it will only cost you £3 on the Yorkshire Coastliner!
Where to eat: The hot debate about the best fish and chips rages on – suffice to say that people come from far and wide to sample those served at The Magpie. Try it with a takeaway, or book a table for Lindisfarne oysters, crab bisque and monkfish tail.
Good to know: There’s a treasure trove of shops here, with art galleries, jewellers selling jet and plenty of places for souvenirs.
Saltburn-by-the-Sea
One of the jewels in the Yorkshire coast crown, Saltburn-by-the-Sea has a beach and pier at the bottom of a dramatic cliff, while the town itself sits on top. You can wind your way down paths and steps to the bottom or, best of all, get on the Saltburn Cliff Tramway, a fabulous funicular which connects the two and has been running since 1884.
The pier is even older, so saunter out to get fabulous views of the ocean, watch the surfers and fill your lungs with fresh sea air. Once you’ve had your fill of the beach, with its bathing spots, chippies, arcades and places to grab a drink, head up to explore the town’s shops. There are arts & crafts, fishmongers and antique shops, as well as fab pubs and restaurants.
Distance from Leeds: 71 miles – around an hour and a half by car, or roughly two hours by train (one change).
Where to eat: The vistas from the Seaview Restaurant don’t disappoint, running from seaside staples to a knockout crab brioche.
Good to know: The perfect place for a restorative pint, The Pillar Box is a micro pub serving rarely seen guest ales on rotation.
Flamborough Head
Located just past Bridlington, Flamborough Head is a dramatic coastal promontory famous for its soaring white chalk cliffs and rugged nature reserves. While not a traditional resort town, it is an unmissable stop for outdoor enthusiasts. This perfect peninsula boasts two lighthouses, one from 1806, the other from 1669 – the oldest complete lighthouse in the country.
The area is famed as a nesting site for seabirds. You’ll spot puffins, gannets and auks, while the area as a whole is celebrated for its biodiversity. If you’re a fan of the great outdoors, it doesn’t get much greater than this. It’s a quiet place, popular with bird-spotters and walkers, with a pair of beaches to choose between – North and South Landing. There are sea caves and rock pools, plus a plethora of quaint towns to visit nearby.
Distance from Leeds: It’s 70 miles from Leeds which will take approximately an hour and 35 minutes by car.
Where to eat: Head to the Headlands Family Restaurant, close to the cliff edge, for anything from a pint of Wold Top ale to their famous locally made steak pie.
Good to know: Danes Dyke Nature Reserve is a year-round attraction, the woods changing colour with the seasons.
Runswick Bay
Red-roofed cottages, a sandy beach that’s won many awards and accolades, a bay sheltered from the elements – Runswick Bay is like a postcard brought to life. Less than two hours from Leeds, it’s a seaside town that’s completely unspoiled, a great place to take the kids for rock pooling, fossil-hunting, sunbathing and toe-dipping.
It’s overlooked by Lingrow Knowle crag in an area full of breathtaking views. The village is so small you could put it in your pocket, so you can cover it in no time on foot.
Distance from Leeds: Runswick Bay is 70 miles from Leeds which can be done in around an hour and 35 minutes by car.
Where to eat: Just off the Cleveland Way, you’ll find the Tides Coffee Bar and Beach Shop, the ideal spot for a cuppa and a cake. The best food is to be found at the Runswick Bay Hotel, offering fresh local fish, hearty pies, a dedicated kids’ menu, and six en-suite rooms perfect for a romantic break in this heavenly bit of North Yorkshire.
Good to know: Take in the views from The Royal Hotel’s garden, perhaps accompanied by a pint of local beer.
