Bempton Cliffs & Flamborough Head (Day Trip)

The day will start off at Flamborough Head, one of the most spectacular areas of chalk cliffs in Britain, standing 400 feet high. It’s also known for its stacks, arches, smugglers’ caves and two lighthouses. Summer highlights include Wall butterflies, Manx Shearwaters, and skuas, commonly seen in late summer. Along the shoreline, you may spot Grey Seals basking in the sun, and keep an eye out for Bottlenose Dolphins, Harbour Porpoises, and Minke Whales, which have been occasionally spotted in the past.

In the afternoon, we will move on to Bempton Cliffs by car which, from May to July, will be a hive of activity as Puffins, Guillemots and Razorbills will be busily feeding their chicks on nearby nests. Black-legged Kittiwakes are still around in August, as are Fulmars, Herring Gulls, Shags and Cormorants. The cliffs are also home to the largest mainland gannetry in England from March to October. The sights, sounds and smells of these breeding seabirds make Bempton Cliffs one of the most spectacular locations to see and photograph seabirds in the UK. Corn Buntings, Common Whitethroats, Stonechats, Skylarks, Tree Sparrows, and Linnets nest in the grassland and scrub along the coast, while Kestrels and both Barn and Short-Eared Owls hunt beneath expansive skies.

Beyond the seabird colonies, the reserve is also home to a diverse array of other wildlife, including butterflies, moths, and wildflowers that thrive in the nearby meadows. On sunny days, you may see Painted Lady and Small Tortoiseshell butterflies, as well as the Six-spot Burnet moth, and even the Hummingbird Hawkmoth. We will also have more opportunities to spot marine-life here.

Parking charges apply at Flamborough Head. Please note that the entry charge to the RSPB reserve is not included in the price of the Day Trip (£8 for non-members; free for members).