Reserve Closure
This reserve will close on Thursday 14 November for an all-staff meeting. Please check locally for site specific closure times and details.
Days out
Bempton Cliffs
BridlingtonClosed | Opens tomorrowSee opening timesEnjoy a walk along spectacular cliffs and watch sleek Gannets diving into the sea to catch fish, before refuelling yourself in our café. Or why not take a cruise from Bridlington Harbour to see the birds from a different perspective?
.jpg){kind=small}
About
Bempton Cliffs, on the spectacular Yorkshire coast, is home to one of the UK's top wildlife spectacles. Around half a million seabirds gather here between March and August to raise a family on the towering chalk cliffs that overlook the North Sea.
The huge white chalk cliffs at Bempton are impressive at any time of year. But visit between April and July, and you'll find them transformed into England’s largest seabird city. Here Puffins, Gannets, Kittiwakes and Guillemots live life on the edge. There are more Gannets acrobatically diving into the deep here than anywhere else on mainland England.
But it’s not all about the cliffs. In spring and summer Corn Buntings, Skylarks and Linnets breed in the grassland and scrub where land meets the sea, while Kestrel and Barn Owls hunt under wide open skies, often joined in winter by Short-eared Owls.
RSPB Bempton is part of the headland at Flamborough and inside the recording area of Flamborough Bird Observatory (FBO) which covers most of the headland. FBO update their sightings page every day. If you go here you can find out what has been seen at Bempton Cliffs and nearby. If you explore the site you can discover more about the FBO and other local areas that are good for birds.
For group visits to RSPB Bempton Cliffs (10+ people or external tours), please pre-book by emailing bempton.cliffs@rspb.org.uk or calling 01262 422212; note that we allow a maximum of two coaches per day, with Schools on Reserves bookings prioritised during midweek term time. Follow us for updates on Instagram, Facebook, and X.
Download our trail map, to help you plan your visit.
At a glance
74 spaces
2 coach bays
11 Blue Badge spaces - Blue Badge spaces and a drop off point can be found immediately outside the Visitor Centre.
No height restriction barrier. No overnight parking or camping.
Bicycle racks available.
Accessible toilet is located on the ground floor of our visitor centre open daily, 9.30am-5pm.
They are located in our accessible toilet on the ground floor in the visitor centre.
The level walk to the cliff top and from Grandstand viewpoint to Bartlett Nab viewpoint makes Bempton Cliffs the perfect place for a stroll in nature with a pushchair.
Bempton Cliffs is one of the most accessible seabird colonies in Europe.
The Seabird Centre and shop are within the same level-access and pen-plan building.
Staff and volunteers are available to assist where needed.
The site has two Tramper mobility scooter for disabled visitors to use. Advance booking via our website is recommended. While there is no charge for this, a donation towards the maintenance of the scooters would be much appreciated.
There are also two push wheelchairs that can be used, should anyone prefer these to using a mobility scooter.
Book here or through the events link in our 'About' section.
They are located on the ground floor of our visitor centre.
BBQs are a fire risk, endangering other people and the precious wildlife and habitats here. They are not permitted on the reserve at any time.
Dogs are welcome on the footpaths around the reserve and in the visitor centre.
Water bowls can be found at the back and front of the visitor centre.
Please keep your dog on a short lead at all times due to the sensitive wildlife and habitats here.
Dogs die in hot cars, please do not leave your dog in the car when visiting us.
Assistance dogs are welcome in all parts of the reserve.
Use of personal or commercial drones on or over RSPB-owned property is not permitted unless specifically granted by the site manager for relevant use.
We encourage visitors to cycle or walk to Bempton Cliffs and have bike racks outside the visitor centre. Forgotten your bike lock? You are welcome to push your bikes along our trails to explore.
Please do not cycle on the footpaths for the safety of our visitors and wildlife.
See what’s here
This is a great location to spot Puffins
Plan your visit between April and mid-July to watch Puffins nesting on the cliff edge.
Puffins are colourful and clownlike and one of our most endearing birds. However, they’re on the Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern Red, at risk of global extinction. They’re threatened by predators eating their eggs and chicks and a loss of food made worse by overfishing. That’s why we’re campaigning for more protected areas to be created, to safeguard the most important places for Puffins, both on land and at sea. We’re also protecting important nature reserves for Puffins to help ensure they have safe places to raise their chicks.
Read more about how we are working protect these birds and defend their habitats:
Save nature while you staycation
Holidaycottages.co.uk is working with the RSPB to restore UK woodland for future generations to enjoy. Every booking with Holidaycottages.co.uk supports woodland restoration projects at key RSPB reserves around the country, protecting the wildlife that makes the UK an extraordinary place for a holiday.
New to Holidaycottages.co.uk portfolio of handpicked self-catering holiday cottages is the Showcase Collection: Near RSPB Reserves. At these extraordinary homes, immerse yourself in the diverse landscapes of RSPB reserves and get up close to some of the UK’s most cherished native wildlife.
Find out about school visits
Bring your science and geography lessons to life with our curriculum linked sessions run by our learning team on the reserve. We offer a variety of hands on, practical sessions which you can choose from. Find out more about our school visits here.
Contact Bempton Cliffs
bempton.cliffs@rspb.org.uk schoolbookings@rspb.org.uk Bempton Cliffs, Cliff Lane, Bridlington, East Riding of Yorkshire, YO15 1JF 01262 422212