We Head North – Bridlington, Flamborough and Filey

Episode 32 Directions – https://goo.gl/maps/tmea3aB6gurvcbfK7

In the last episode, we rode inland to cross the Humber Estuary at the magnificent Humber Bridge. In doing so, we entered East Riding of Yorkshire and got back to the east coast at Withernsea. Taking a look at the map you’ll see we’re well and truly entering England’s North.

In this episode we’ll make our way up the coast as we head to Scarborough.

Bridlington immediately struck us as a bustling lively place and it is.

There’s a lot of history here dating back to the Bronze Age and Roman Times. The Priory Church of St Mary and associated Bayle (or gate) are Grade I listed buildings on the site of an Augustinian Priory.

As a sea-fishing port, the town is known for shellfish, and is the largest lobster port in Europe, with over 300 tonnes of the crustaceans landed each year. It has been termed the “Lobster Capital of Europe”.

The Bridlington Spa is the town’s premiere entertainment venue. It opened in 1896 and, in its heyday, hosted the likes of David Bowie and Morrissey. The building has recently been refurbished and has since begun to attract well-known names again: in 2013 indie rock bands the Kaiser Chiefs and Kasabian, Irish band The Script and Joe McElderry all performed here.

In 2014 a blue plaque went up for Wallace Hartley, the leader of the orchestra playing as the Titanic sank. Hartley had led an orchestra in the town in 1902.

Recently, an event called ‘Race the Waves’ has emerged. Based upon speed trials that were held here in the early 19 hundreds, what started as a motorcycle gathering has quickly become a parade of retro and custom cars and bikes.

The old Flamborough lighthouse was built in 1669 but was never kindled. It is made of chalk and is the oldest surviving complete lighthouse in England.

Flamborough Head’s other lighthouse was built in 1806 and is still operating as a way point for passing sea traffic. It does guided tours, where you can climb the 119 steps to experience spectacular views.

Flamborough Head is one of the magnificent areas of shear white chalk cliffs in Britain, reaching 400 foot high. The cliff line includes stacks, arches and blow holes as well as caves where the largest one extends more than 50 metres from the coastal entrance. The cliffs are home to an estimated 200,000 nesting birds and is also one of only two mainland colonies of the northern gannet.

A tragedy occurred on February 10, 1871, when a great storm hit the East Yorkshire coast, and over 100 vessels were lost. Many ships were using an area known as the ‘Bay of Refuge’ in Bridlington, to shelter from the bad weather but when the wind suddenly changed direction, at least 23 ships ran aground or were wrecked against the harbour walls. It is thought as many as 70 seamen perished on that awful day.

At the time Bridlington had two separate lifeboats, the RNLI’s Robert Whitworth and a locally owned vessel named the Harbinger. Both boats were launched multiple times, saving several lives. Tragically, as the Harbinger was attempting to save the crew of the brig Delta a huge wave engulfed both boats. The Harbinger capsized and tragically six of the nine local lifeboat men aboard were drowned along with numerous seamen on the vessels lost that tragic day.

Most of the vessels lost were carrying overloaded cargoes of coal which made them very vulnerable to sinking. Back in episode I was struggling to find something to say about Folkestone other than it was the birthplace for Samuel Plimsoll. The disaster led him to petition parliament to introduce a new law to prevent ships being dangerously overladen, by introducing the painting of a line on the hull. ‘Plimsoll Lines’, as they became known, are still used in international shipping to this day.

To this day traces of coal can be found on the beach and it is suspected that these date back to the Great Gale.

Many of the victims are buried in a mass grave at Priory Church and a service has been held at the church every February since the tragedy.

In 1806 The Gentleman’s Magazine described Filey as an escape from the boisterous crowds of Scarborough and a place of simple pleasures. From what we saw I don’t think much has changed.

We were impressed with the Filey Brigg Country Park, a large open space at the top of the cliffs north of the town. It had a huge car park where you could set up for the day and use as a base while you enjoyed the views, walks and open spaces. All the usual facilities are on site and the town and beach are not too far away to walk. If you wanted to stay over there’s an enjoining touring park.

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