Cayton Bay is located on the Yorkshire Coast, south of Scarborough and north of Filey. Cayton Bay with its splendid Cayton Beach, is quiet and unspoiled. The picturesque and atmospheric nature of Cayton bay with its clean water, year-round dog-friendly beach and affordable parking make it a great UK holiday or day trip destination. There are plenty of things to do at Cayton Bay.
The beautiful wide sweeping beach at Cayton bay makes it popular, including for those who are looking for a camping or caravanning holiday destination.
There is also plenty of natural world interest to be explored at Cayton Bay – a great place to both bird watch and to find fossils – the cliffs here were formed in the Jurassic period around 150 million years ago.
Johnny Flinton’s Harbour, North Yorkshire (YO11 3JT) is towards the northern end of the beach where you’ll find WWII gun pillboxes. However, this northern section of the beach used to be known as a naturists’ beach – but Scarborough Council erected signs stating that naturism is prohibited there and liable to prosecution!
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Cayton Bay Location and Car Parking
Cayton Bay Beach car park, satnav postcode YO11 3NR is just off the A165, south of Scarborough. Once you see the surf shack with a flag on it – head for that. . Parking costs £2 for the full day. There is also free on-road parking if you can find the opportunity. The path to the beach is generally steep.
Cayton Bay Holiday Park YO11 3NJ is 2.7 miles away from Seamer railway station – about 8 minutes by car. You can travel to Scarborough, Hull, Liverpool Lime Street, Manchester Victoria, Sheffield and York via the main railway lines.
Humberside Airport – 56 miles or 85 minutes drive. You can fly into Humberside Airport from Aberdeen, Norwich and Jersey airports.
Things to do at Cayton Bay
Surfing – Scarborough Surf School, Cayton Bay
Cayton Bay is a premier Yorkshire surfing destination – great to watch even if you’re not taking part! Popular with surfers, kite surfers and spectacular paragliders, Cayton Bay is exposed to the full force of the North Sea.
The Scarborough Surf School has been running surf lessons at Cayton Bay since 1989. The Yorkshire Coast is one of the best areas to surf in England. Thinking of surfing in Newquay in Cornwall this year? So will everyone else….perhaps look to the Yorkshire Coast!
The Yorkshire Coast and Cayton Bay stretch of the coastline has some of the UK’s finest beaches and with its spectacular surfing conditions, it makes the Yorkshire Coast a perfect place to stay for a surfing holiday – or just to watch.
The good facilities of the Scarborough Surf School on the clifftop keep Cayton Bay busy year-round. Cayton Bay offers some of Yorkshire best surfing, from three main surfing locations. Cayton Bay Point, Cayton Bay Bunkers and Cayton Bay Pump House.
The Scarborough Surf School has a kid’s club holiday course for lessons. Their kid’s club is called Grommits (a Grom or Gremme is a young surfer under 16).
Over the space of a few days, the juniors often make new friendships and quite possible lifelong surf buddies of the future. The club likes their events to a social affair, so the whole family is welcome to participate – adult family members are invited to join participate in “coasteering” and they finish all courses with a BBQ and prize giving.
Coasteering is an awesome experience at the stunning white cliffs of Thornwick Bay on the Yorkshire Coast. They climb, swim, jump from rocks and explore Yorkshire’s biggest sea cave – which is full of sea life and renowned for its nesting puffins.
The sessions are fun, challenging and educational for all. All the juniors are invited to take part in the Surfing England’s junior surf scheme to help them progress through levels 1 to 5.
The Scarborough Surf School is the only activity centre on the Yorkshire Coast that has AALA accredited status: their staff are fully qualified and experienced. Please note that all children must be able to swim 25 meters unaided. All equipment except swimwear and towel is provided.
Address: Cayton Bay Surf Shop and Scarborough Surf School, Killerby Cliff, Scarborough YO11 3NR. Telephone 01723 585585 info@scarboroughsurfschool.co.uk
Clayton Bay Caravan and Motorhome Club Site
Address: Mill Lane, Cayton Bay, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO11 3NN. Telephone
Telephone 01723 583171. Non-members are welcome.
Significantly upgraded during 2020 – they have 4 service points, 2 drive-over motorhome waste points and electric vehicle charging points, a range of new self-contained glamping pods and cabins, accessible units, baby changing, washroom facilities, disabled shower room, games room, on-site shop, laundry facilities, children’s playground and a designated dog-walking area.
The Farrier pub – restaurant with rooms (89 Main Street, Cayton YO11 3RP) is in Cayton village – a short walk away – should you wish to eat out, or have friends stay near you.
Cayton Bay Holiday Park – Parkdean Resorts
Address: Cayton Bay, North Yorkshire, YO11 3NJ. Parkdean Resort booking enquiries telephone 0344 123 4850 Monday to Friday 8.00am to 9.00pm; Saturday 8.00am to 7.00pm and Sunday 9.00am to 9.00am.
Facilities include an indoor heated swimming pool with slides, a refurbished adventure playground, arts and crafts centre and a kid’s club. They have the Boathouse Restaurant on site with an outdoor canopy from which you can enjoy the evening entertainment.
Accommodation includes static caravans and luxury lodges with hot tubs.
Golf at Scarborough South Cliff Golf Club
Deepdale Ave, Scarborough YO11 2UE. It is 2.5 miles from Cayton Bay (Holiday Park).
Scarborough South Cliff Golf Club Visitors are welcome at South Cliff – generally considered to be the number one golf course along the Yorkshire Coast.
For bookings telephone 01723 360522 option 2 or the Scarborough South Cliff Golf Club Golf shop on 01723 360525 or email your enquiry to clubsecretary@southcliffgolfclub.com
Scarborough South Cliff Golf Club holds competitions including Gents, Ladies, Mixed, Seniors and Junior events. These competitions have proved to be extremely popular with many visiting players returning year after year to enjoy the fantastic course with wonderful views.
Dog Walking at Cayton Bay
Dog walking is permitted and popular. The Cleveland Way passes through Cayton Bay Very enjoyable for all – dogs and their human friends!
Cayton Bay to Scarborough Walk
The route runs for about 3 miles along a wonderful cliff-top path with panoramic coastal views. Cayton Bay is on the Cleveland Way trail so it can be followed north or south from Cayton. This route heads north to Scarborough.
The walk to Scarborough from Cayton Bay starts from the beach car park at Cayton Bay, just south of Scarborough – one of a series of large sweeping sandy bays on the edge of the North Yorkshire National Park which runs from Bridlington in the south to Whitby in the north.
The area is managed by the National Trust and includes a beautiful surfing beach where can watch the surfers in action and a woodland section along Cayton Cliff. There’s a surf shop and car park on the clifftop above the bay. From here you can pick up the Cleveland Way National Trail and follow it north to Frank Cliff and Wheatcroft Cliff, passing the golf course on your left. You then arrive at Scarborough, passing the pretty South Cliff Gardens and Scarborough South Bay, before finishing on the beach at Scarborough’s St Nicholas Cliff. There is plenty to do in Scarborough, so check it out here.
There is also plenty to do in and around nearby Bridlington, check out our information here.
If you like walking and spectacular Yorkshire scenery, check out our information on Malham Cove in the Yorkshire Dales.