Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

Flamborough Cliffs

Flamborough Cliffs is a coastal reserve, ranging from cliff top grassland and spectacular chalk cliffs to rocky shore and sandy beach.  It is a wonderful reserve on which to see huge numbers of breeding seabirds, species rich grassland, farmland birds and a variety of invertebrates.

• In SPRING and early summer hundreds of thousands of seabirds make the chalk cliffs their home, allowing you to get unrivalled views of puffins, kittiwakes, guillemots and razorbills.
• In SUMMER brings colour to the cliff top grasslands with salt loving species, such as thrift (Ameria maritima) and sea plantain (Plantago maritima), growing alongside limestone grassland species such as the bright pink Pyramid orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis) and beautiful blue harebell (Campanula rotundifolia).  Within the hedgerows and scrub, breeding yellowhammer and linnet can be found and butterflies, such as the painted lady, are regularly seen. 
• In AUTUMN you might be lucky enough to see rare passage migrants like little auk, red backed shrike or brown flycatcher throughout the reserve.
• In WINTER flocks of fieldfare and redwing use the scrub in Holmes Gut for food and shelter, and Exmoor ponies provide an unusual sight grazing the cliff top grasslands.

‘Did you know?’ items:

• Flamborough Head is the most northerly location at which you can find coastal chalk cliffs in the UK.
• 20% of Flamborough Head’s breeding sea bird population can be found on the relatively short stretch of coastline of the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust reserve.
• Algal and lichen communities found within the sea caves in the cliffs are one of the less known reasons for the sites international importance.
• Flamborough Cliffs Nature Reserve, as part of Flamborough Head, is designated as a SSSI, a SAC and a SPA, and is also a part of the Flamborough Head Heritage Coast.

Why should I visit?:

Flamborough Cliffs is a spectacular reserve to visit at any time of year; the weather, sea and wildlife give you a different experience every trip.  Whether you go there on a bright sunny day when the clear blue sea looks almost tropical and the sight, sounds and smell of thousands of nesting seabirds assaults your senses; or in winter with a raging sea echoing around the sea caves and a gale so strong you hardly dare walk close to the cliff top. These experiences are unrepeatable; you will not forget Flamborough Cliffs reserve easily.

What’s there? – wildlife:

• Bird watching – (1) Farmland birds including corn bunting and skylark, (2) rare migrant birds, and (3) seabirds including the colourful puffin, razorbill, guillemot, fulmar and gannets flying past to their breeding colony north-west of the reserve. 
• Butterflies including meadow brown, common blue and small white. 
• Plants include thrift (Ameria maritima), northern marsh orchid (Dactylorhiza purpurella), pyramid orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis), primrose (Primula vulgaris) and harebell (Campanula rotundifolia).  
• Rock pooling – butterfish, beadlet anemone, velvet swimming crab, limpet, topshell and seaweed Corallina officinalis.

What’s there – facilities:

Several interpretation boards are present around the reserve.  Toilets are available in the public car park at North Landing.  Pubs and café’s are located very close by. Seabird spectaculars and ‘Peering at Puffin’ days run on some weekends between May – July. Rock-pooling days for local groups/schools, and guided walks for the public and organised groups are also available (please call for more details). 

How to get there:

The reserve is located on land both north-west and south-east of North Landing, Flamborough, approximately four miles north east of Bridlington, East Yorkshire.  From Bridlington take the B1255, following the signs for Flamborough.  Once in the village follow the signs for North Landing, the car park is located to your left as you reach the cliff top.  North Landing is served by regular buses from Bridlington, services 510 and 502 run approximately every hour.  Telephone 01482 222222 for full details and times see map.

• Parking in public car park at North Landing (£1.50 for full day, free during the winter months).

Access and conditions:

Unfortunately there is no wheelchair/access for all on the reserve.  The path onto the northern half of the reserve follows a steep route in and out of Holmes Gut.  Easier walking can be found by heading on to the southern part of the reserve, but paths can become wet and muddy after wet weather.