Hidden nature reserve with white cliffs and ‘magic’ pebble beach | UK | Travel
It’s so secluded there’s often ‘not another person in sight’ (Image: Michael Shannon via Getty Images)
Covering more than 184 acres of terrain, this forest trail guides you towards a stunning beach as abundant wildlife thrives throughout your walk.
The vast nature reserve of Danes Dyke in Bridlington contains the Headland’s most extensive wooded area, with a route leading directly to the coastline.
It represents what was once a distinctive marine and clifftop habitat, now safeguarded as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, whilst the woodland gained official Nature Reserve designation in 2002.
Nature Reserve Walk
Visitors can start by using the substantial Pay and Display car park, accommodating up to 80 vehicles. It’s situated off Flamborough Road in Bridlington, with brown directional signs pointing towards Danes Dyke.
Numerous keen ramblers select the 3km circular path, commencing from the car park, though various alternative routes and distances are available.
After walking approximately 1km through the woods, you’ll arrive at the beach’s edge, revealing sweeping vistas across the bay.
The beach forms part of the Flamborough Headland (Image: Michael Shannon via Getty Images)
A visitor shared on TripAdvisor: “You must visit Danes Dyke if you are visiting the area. Even the drive to it is eerie but magical, and the huge dyke itself is spectacular and steeped in history.
“You can just imagine how the Vikings tried to etch out the area to make it a land of their own. The beach is great too.”
Within the forest reserve lies a significant prehistoric earthwork, comprising a large bank and ditch that cuts through the area. Though unconfirmed, it’s thought to have been erected during the Iron Age as a defensive structure, isolating the Flamborough Headland.
Beach
The true allure of this journey, however, is the final stop: Danes Dyke Beach. Access to the sandy shore is via a steep, paved path that has suffered from water damage and debris, so requires careful navigation.
Danes Dyke Beach in Flamborough (Image: Thomas Tolkein/Flickr)
The real spectacle here is the towering white cliffs that dominate the predominantly pebbled beach. They enclose the beach, creating a secluded bay that’s a favourite among adventurers seeking solitude and serenity.
Its cove evokes images of smugglers’ hideouts, where illicit goods were brought in by sea. The surrounding area, within the Flamborough Head, has a history of smuggling, with the famous ‘smuggler’s caves” located at nearby Thornwick Bay.
One walker shared: “The day that my wife and I visited Danes Dyke, there was not another person in sight, just the two of us, with the waves crashing in and the sea salt from the spray in the air – pure magic.”
Another added: “Lovely clean beach with a picturesque cliff line and white pebbles. A short walk from the car park. Great place for the dog to run. Hardly anyone about.”.
Place to rest
The closest village to Danes Dyke is the delightful Sewerby, home to several traditional and welcoming pubs. After a leisurely stroll, you can indulge in hearty pub fare or enjoy a pint at The Ship Inn or The Old Forge, or even savour some highly-rated fish and chips from Blu Savannah along the bay.
The Ship Inn boasts a spacious beer garden for the summer months that extends towards the cliff edges. It’s well-regarded for its range of cask ales and is locally renowned for hosting numerous live music events and beer festivals, making it an ideal pit stop following a weekend ramble.
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