Last Updated on 12/03/2023
Cayton Bay Beach is one of the best sandy beaches in Yorkshire. It is a charming seaside getaway if you’re looking for a trip to the Yorkshire coast without huge crowds. It’s a hidden gem you will wish you knew about sooner!
Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about visiting Cayton Bay, one of the best sandy beaches in Yorkshire! Plus, the top things to do on your visit.
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About Cayton Bay Beach
Cayton Bay is a beautiful sandy beach in Yorkshire. This charming beach is nestled between the popular seaside towns of Scarborough and Filey, and yet it only attracts a fraction of the crowds.
If you’re looking for a quiet day by the sea in Yorkshire, Cayton Bay is an idyllic spot!
Here is everything you need to know about Cayton Bay Beach before you visit.
Where is Cayton Bay Beach?
Cayton Bay is located on the North Yorkshire coast. It is four miles south of Scarborough and four miles north of Filey.
The address for Cayton Bay Beach is: Cayton, Scarborough, YO11 3NR.
How to get to Cayton Bay Beach
By car: The easiest way to get to Cayton Bay Beach is via car. Simply navigate to the car park at YO11 3NR.
By bus: There is a bus service that runs between Scarborough and Filey which stops at Cayton Bay. Simply catch the 13 Coaster in either town to get to Cayton Bay.
By train: The closest train stations are in either Filey or Scarborough. It is a short taxi ride from either station to the beach or catch a bus from either location as outlined above.
Where to park at Cayton Bay Beach
There are two options for parking at Cayton Bay Beach. If you arrive early enough, you may be able to locate a parking space on the road along the cliff top. It is free to park here. These spaces are located on Osgodby Hill, Scarborough, YO11 3NP.
Alternatively, you can park in the Cayton Bay Beach car park. This is a pay and display car park with a small parking fee. It can be located at the following address: Killerby Cliff, Cayton, Scarborough YO11 3NR.
Cayton Bay Beach Access
Cayton Bay Beach has two access points. The main access is towards the northern end of the beach near the car park. This route follows a gentle declining path from the car park area, which has steps for the final descent to the beach.
The second path is further down the beach towards the south. This follows steps down the cliff.
There is no wheelchair access to the beach as both routes have several steps to navigate.
If you are bringing a pushchair to the beach, you will find it easiest to descend via the path route but will need to carry it down the final flight of stairs to the beach.
Is Cayton Bay Beach dog friendly?
Cayton Bay is a dog friendly beach! Dogs are allowed on the beach year-round. However, please ensure you clean up after your dog. There is a large fine to pay if you fail to pick it up!
Can you walk from Cayton Bay to Scarborough?
If you want to explore more of the Yorkshire coast while you are in the area, it is possible to walk from Cayton Bay to Scarborough.
The Cleveland Way is an established public footpath that follows the coastline. Following the Cleveland Way, the route from Cayton Bay to Scarborough Beach is 3.5 miles long and will take approximately 75-90 minutes to walk one way.
The picturesque coastal walk offers some spectacular views but is exposed in places. Ensure you wrap up warm in plenty of layers and wear sensible hiking shoes like these ones.
Facilities at Cayton Bay Beach
Cayton Bay is a quiet beach with limited facilities. However, you will find everything you need to have a great day out.
Toilets
There are toilets available at Cayton Bay. You will find them at the top of the stairs on the main path leading down to the beach.
Kiosk
Also, at the top of the steps just a short distance from the beach you will find a kiosk. This kiosk sells hot food, drinks, and snacks if you get peckish during your day at the beach. The kiosk also sells buckets and spades, second hand books and other supplies you might want during your visit.
Things to do at Cayton Bay Beach
If you are planning a visit to Cayton Bay Beach, here are some of the best things to do during your visit.
Paddling
If you’re feeling brave, Cayton Bay is the perfect place to enjoy a paddle in the North Sea. The water will be chilly, but it is a wonderful way to cool off on a warm day! The sand underfoot makes paddling much easier than on shingle beaches.
While Cayton Bay is great for shallow paddling, it is not a suitable location for swimming. The bay is prone to strong currents that can make swimming dangerous at times.
Surfing
Cayton Bay is one of the most popular surfing locations on the Yorkshire coast. The shape of the bay means that it frequently encounters waves ideal for surfing.
If you are new to surfing, Cayton Bay is ideal for beginners. The local surf school do lessons and surfboard hire to get you started. Book your lesson here.
Sandcastles and Fossil Hunting
The sweeping, sandy beach is what attracts visitors to Cayton Bay. It would be a shame not to make the most of it!
With an expanse of wet sand, Cayton Bay has the optimal conditions to build sandcastles!
The area has also been known to yield some impressive fossils. If you search around the rocky edges of the beach, you might be surprised by what you find!
WWII Pillboxes
You can enjoy a unique sight when you take a stroll along the beach. You will find the remnants of some pillboxes that date back to the Second World War.
These concrete structures were built to provide defence for the coastline during wartime. Thanks to coastal erosion, they are now littering the beach rather than sitting atop the cliffs. They are a unique feature of the beach and a fascinating relic of the area’s wartime history.
Things to remember when visiting the beach
Before you head to the beach, here are some things you should keep in mind for your visit:
- Know the tide times. The tide can creep in quickly and unexpectedly so make sure you know the times of the tide on the day of your visit. Click here to check the times of low and high tides.
- Respect the environment and take your litter home with you. Cayton Bay is a beautiful beach that is very clean. Be sure to keep it this way and take your waste with you when you leave.
- Don’t remove anything from the beach. While it is tempting to remove shells and stones, the natural environment should remain untouched. Leave behind the natural elements of the beach to protect the ecosystem.
Things to pack for a Yorkshire beach break
If you are planning a trip to the Yorkshire seaside, here is a quick list of the essentials you don’t want to forget:
- Sunglasses – to protect your eyes on sunny days
- Sun hat – for extra protection from the sun. This cute ‘Out of Office’ floppy hat is my personal favourite but any sun cap will do!
- Sun cream – don’t risk the dangers of UV rays and sunburn – event if it doesn’t seem that sunny!
- Foldable waterproof jacket – Yorkshire is prone to surprise showers so make sure you have this jacket stuffed in your bag in case of emergencies!
- Water shoes – these shoes are perfect for the beach! They protect you from painful shingle or hot sand!
- Beach bag – essential to carry everything in
- Towel – for drying off after a paddle
- A good book – because the beach is the perfect place to get lost in a good book!
- Bucket and spade – for sandcastle building
- Sand resistant mat – perfect for lounging on the beach without getting covered in sand (and saves you from carrying a chair!)
- Reusable water bottle – to keep hydrated without the waste. I’ve just started using this bottle and I love it! The lock on the cap means I can be sure it won’t spill in my bag!
Before You Go
So, here is everything you need to know about visiting Cayton Bay Beach. Are you planning a visit to this beautiful sandy beach in Yorkshire? I’d love to hear about it! Let me know about your plans in the comments below!
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Until our next adventure,
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Hello, I’m Hannah! I’m a writer and photographer who loves experiencing the wonders of Yorkshire. My guides will help you escape from your daily routine by showing you that you don’t have to go far to find an adventure.
One of the most beautiful sandy beaches in Yorkshire, for sure! Looks like a great spot for surfing indeed. The UK is full of surprises!
Cayton Bay is a lovely beach to visit and still a bit of a hidden gem! It’s well worth visiting if you find yourself in the area!
Good that it is accessible by public transport. We would totally love to visit and spend a day at the beach 🙂
Yes! We’re lucky that the Yorkshire coast is well connected by public transport. It’s great that everyone has an opportunity to travel to Cayton Bay and enjoy it! It is such a beautiful beach to explore.
Beautiful place. Couldn’t believe it really. Just one tiny moan. The descent down to the beach is unbelievably slippy. I was lucky I had 2 strapping young men to help me up and down. Would recommend noelle
Cayton Bay is a lovely beach, isn’t it? I’m sorry to hear the path down was so slippery when you visited. Thank goodness you had someone there to assist you!