We love our historic city of York, but sometimes the best adventures begin when you hit the road. Just a short drive away, Yorkshire opens up a spectacular coastline filled with sandy beaches, rugged cliffs, charming harbours and hidden coastal gems waiting to be explored.
Hiring a car gives you the freedom to discover the very best Yorkshire beaches on your own schedule. With spacious, large cars, there’s room for everything you need for a perfect beach day, from buckets and bodyboards to windbreaks and walking boots, not to mention your crew.
From the nostalgia of Scarborough to fossil hunting in Robin Hood’s Bay, the Yorkshire coast offers something for everyone. Pack up the car, leave the city behind, and enjoy an unforgettable seaside adventure less than two hours from York.
All drive times are calculated from our very own Autohorn HQ at Wiggington York, Road. Keep an eye out for some of our driving highlights because it’s as much about the journey as the destination.
The best Yorkshire beaches
Whitby
Estimated drive time: 1hr 15
Whitby is known for kippers, the 199 steps, the famous Magpie Café and, of course, Dracula. But it’s also home to two very different beaches on either side of the River Esk.
West Cliff Beach is the town’s classic family beach, with two miles of golden sand lined with colourful beach huts. Across the river, Tate Hill Beach is a smaller, sheltered beach that’s popular with dog walkers throughout the year. Make sure to keep an eye out for Whitby Jet, the distinctive black gemstone formed from fossilised wood.
Scarborough Beach
Estimated drive time: 1hr 15
Probably the most famous of our Northern beaches, Scarborough is the perfect choice for classic seaside nostalgia. South Bay is Yorkshire’s classic seaside destination. Expect sandy beaches, 2p machines, sandcastle building and a Knickerbocker glory at The Harbour Bar. It’s a fantastic choice for families or anyone wanting a traditional British beach experience.
For a quieter alternative, Scarborough Beach’s North Bay, a five-minute drive up the coast, offers a more peaceful atmosphere while still providing plenty to do. Popular with surfers and paddleboarders, the beach sits beneath dramatic cliffs lined with colourful beach huts. It’s ideal for visitors looking for a more relaxed day beside the sea.
Driving highlight: Scarborough Esplanade is one of the most scenic coastal roads in Yorkshire. Stretching for around 1.5 miles, the smooth, gently curving road offers uninterrupted views over South Bay, Scarborough Castle, the harbour, and the North Sea.
Spurn Point
Estimated drive time: 1hr 50
Known as Yorkshire’s very own Landsend, Spurn Point is one of the North’s most extraordinary coastal destinations. This narrow peninsula stretches over three miles into the Humber Estuary and, at points, is less than 50 metres wide, creating a landscape unlike anywhere else in the UK. Shaped by the sea and its ecosystem, it’s a paradise for walkers, wildlife lovers and birdwatchers.
Visit between spring and autumn to enjoy sweeping coastal views, the historic lighthouse, fascinating military ruins and the peaceful atmosphere of this ever-changing National Nature Reserve. Be sure to check the tide times before setting out, as parts of the route can become inaccessible during high tides.
Please note, dogs are not allowed on the beach.
Driving highlight: The final few miles before reaching the dramatic landscape of Spurn Point offer expansive views across the Humber Estuary and vast open skies, creating the unmistakable feeling that you’re driving to the very edge of Yorkshire.
Filey
Estimated drive time: 1hr 11
Filey Beach is one of Yorkshire’s finest stretches of coastline, with around five miles of golden sand backed by a traditional promenade and the charming seaside town. The gently sloping beach is perfect for families, offering plenty of space for paddling, sandcastles, beach games and long walks. At the northern end, Filey Brigg is a great spot for exploring rock pools, while the quieter southern end is popular with dog walkers looking to escape the crowds.
Driving highlight: Driving along The Crescent and Filey Brigg Road is one of the prettiest approaches on the Yorkshire coast. You’ll enjoy panoramic sea views, dramatic rock formations and the wide stretching North Sea.
Flamborough Head
Estimated drive time: 1hr 25
Just south of Scarborough lies one of Yorkshire’s most dramatic stretches of coastline. Flamborough Head is an eight-mile chalk headland where towering white cliffs meet the North Sea, offering breathtaking views and untamed nature. We’re talking pebbles, rockpools, coves and exploring.
The area is famous for its thriving seabird colonies, including the ever-popular puffins during spring and summer, while seals can often be spotted basking on the rocks below.
Robin Hood’s Bay
Estimated drive time: 1hr 20
Robin Hood’s Bay is a charming historic fishing village, where narrow cobbled streets wind their way down to the sea. Its maze of hidden alleyways once made it the perfect base for smugglers bringing tea, brandy and tobacco ashore from continental Europe.
Today, the village is treasured for its dramatic coastline, picturesque cottages and hidden beach. If you have any dinosaur hunters in your family, then you’re in for a treat. The cliffs and beaches are rich in fossils, and kids can spend hours searching for ancient ammonites, belemnites and fossilised shells.
Driving highlight: If you have a bit of time, continue north. The road between Robin Hood’s Bay and Ravenscar hugs the clifftops, delivering incredible views over the Yorkshire coast. There are several lay-bys where you can safely stop to admire the scenery, take photos and picnic away from the seagulls.
Mappleton Beach
Estimated drive time: 1hr 25
Mappleton Beach is a peaceful stretch of coastline that’s perfect for anyone looking to escape the busier seaside resorts. It’s particularly popular with dog walkers, thanks to its wide beach open to pups all year round. The only downside is that parking is limited, with a very small car park that can fill up quickly on sunny weekends and during the holidays, so it’s well worth arriving early.
Hunmanby Gap Beach
Estimated drive time: 1hr 15
A real hidden gem, York Press named Humanby Gap as Yorkshire’s most underrated beach. This peaceful, unspoilt beach lays tucked away between Filey and Reighton, making it a favourite with locals rather than tourists. Backed by low cliffs and wide sandy shores, it’s reminiscent of the beaches of Northumberland, and an excellent spot for long walks, paddling and letting dogs off the leash.
The quieter atmosphere makes it ideal if you’re looking to avoid the crowds, although the steep access path means it’s worth wearing suitable footwear.
Sandsend
Estimated drive time: 1hr 15
Just north of Whitby, Sandsend Beach is a peaceful stretch of golden sand backed by dramatic cliffs and the North York Moors. At low tide, you can walk along the shoreline to Whitby, making it perfect for combining two beautiful coastal destinations in one trip.
Popular for beachcombing, paddling, and long seaside walks, Sandsend offers a quieter alternative to Whitby’s bustling beach. Dogs are welcome on much of the beach outside the restricted area near the village, making it a favourite with dog walkers year-round.
Driving highlight: The approach to Sandsend via the A174 over Lythe Bank is one of the finest coastal drives in North Yorkshire. As the road descends towards the sea, spectacular views open up across Sandsend, Whitby Bay and the North Sea.
Need a vehicle?
Discover our range of reliable cars available for daily rental, weekend getaways, and longer trips. Whether you’re planning a family beach day, a coastal road trip with all the gang, or a weekend of solo exploration, we have the vehicle to suit.
Give us a call on 01904 557 536 or drop us an email here, and our team will be happy to get you behind the wheel and out exploring the incredible Yorkshire coast.
