Bempton Cliffs - RSPB
Location - Brampton Cliffs, Cliff Lane, Bridlington, East Yorkshire, YO15 1JF
Distance (around) - varying depending on track (different viewing platforms)
Terrain - You can access three viewing platforms (one of these was closed of due to unsafe cliffs) on very solid terrain
Stars (out of 5) - 5
Points to note -
Parking including disabled (closer to venue) is available
Toilets including accessible available
This is an RSPB location check prices before entry (carers go free)
Café and outside picnic benches
Be understanding of nesting wildlife
There are scooters for hire
You can view more here.
*Note - it is dog friendly, but I did not take Betty.
Bempton Cliffs is an RSPB centre, famed for its Puffin sightings, and being a keen birdwatcher is the reason it’s been on my dream visit list for many years and it did not disappoint. Located on the Yorkshire Coast, it has a huge amount of sea birds visiting and nesting each year, including Puffins, Gannets, Razorbills, Guillemots, Gulls and more, dolphins can even be seen swimming in the sea. Further inland you can see Owls, Skylarks, Kestrels and more, there will also be ample wildlife in the surrounding grounds such as spiders, slugs, snails and butterflies. We had always planned to go in early June as we know the Puffins head out to sea in the next few weeks/months so didn’t want to miss them, however there has been a lot of rain here recently, but that didn’t affect the ground. It will be rather cold in the winter, so would suggest taking some good jumpers and outer clothes, including gloves.
Full disclosure: this is a dog friendly site, but I didn’t take Betty - knowing her temperament I didn’t want her upsetting any nesting birds, and whilst there I noticed we were doing a lot of standing round, it was windy and on occasions quite busy, all of which I don’t think she would have enjoyed - it wouldn’t have been fair, she’s not a dog who sits and waits. Fear not, she spent the day being pampered by my mum.
On arrival if you have Blue Badge show this to a steward and they will point you in the direction of the accessible parking bays, which are on firm solid ground, of which there are quite a few, they also have ample space around them. After unloading the scooter and seeing the giant Puffin we went inside the RSPB building, which has automatic doors and is relatively flat (aside from the threshold of the doors) throughout, the pay desk is immediately at the entrance, prices may vary so it is wise to check them online; but members are free and carers also. You can hire binoculars, but we didn’t need this facility as we took our own. Inside there is a cafe, souvenir shop and toilets - speaking of the toilets - there is one accessible toilet which also doubles up as a staff toilet (mixed feelings on this), the toilet has a sliding door, but in essence once inside is the standard disabled toilet layout, it was big enough to fit my scooter and another person, with plenty of space to manoeuvre. It had a cute Puffin mirror!
We then headed outside, observing plenty of picnic tables (we ate our packed lunch at one of these later in the day), going to the left, there is a ramp down to main paths on which you can make a choice on which direction to take, there is lots of signage - we went left. The paths are firm, stable and other than a little camber, very accessible for my scooter, upon reaching the viewing platform there are disabled sections, where there is a purpose built gap in the fence to observe, however I did notice there was a small gap all the way round the fence which for me was at a much better height, as such I placed myself there. Lots of people came and went, some were avid bird watchers and stopped for an extended period, some were just dropping in and out, but everyone seemed content and had access to see. After a while we headed to the next viewing platform, again the same layout as the previous, the floors of both are wooden slats, so there is a little jostling when driving over them, but it wasn’t anything to be concerned about. The last section in this direction wasn’t solid underfoot, quite bumpy in fact, so I didn’t go up that part, by all accounts you don’t see anything different to the other two platforms. Going back I noticed a number of benches, they are dedicated to people from the area, but there if you need a perch. The viewing platform in this direction was closed off due to unsafe cliff side - so I didn’t venture too close.
It was definitely a fun day, we could see plenty of Puffins, even saw what seemed to be a nesting pair, carrying sand eels to and from a crevice (known as the letterbox) in the cliff side. As expected there were plenty of Gannets, Guillemots and Gulls, including a number of Razorbills. Unfortunately we were having lunch when the dolphins were spotted! I would definitely go again, and would highly recommend to anyone keen on bird watching, even a beginner or with children, seeing the Puffins an attraction and it was very accessible. I will be back.
Tip - wear sun cream, the wind and the sun can cause effect
