Thornwick Bay

The cliffs here are the real draw at Thornwick Bay, just north of Bridlington. Dramatic chalk faces tower above a narrow strip of shingle and sand, creating the kind of coastline that makes you understand why people choose Yorkshire over the Mediterranean. The beach itself is manageable at low tide - you get decent space to spread out - but it shrinks considerably when the sea comes back in, so timing matters.

It's a proper walker's beach rather than a lounging-about sort of place. The cliffs are spectacular for photography, and if you're into geology, the exposed rock formations tell a clear story. Families with young kids will find it less fussy than Bridlington's main beach, though you'll want to keep an eye on tide times. Older children and teenagers rarely complain about the drama of the setting.

There's a holiday park right on the doorstep - Haven Thornwick Bay is essentially built into the clifftop, which means you could wake up to this view. Flamborough Glamping is close by if you want something with more character. The wider area has plenty of accommodation options within a couple of miles, making it easy to base yourself here for a few days of coastal exploring.

Allow an hour or two, depending on whether you're just grabbing photos or settling in for a proper walk along the shore. Free to access, obviously - it's a beach. Best visited outside school holidays if you want it relatively quiet, though it never gets rammed like some of the other East Coast spots.