Flamborough, in East Yorkshire, with its beautiful and dramatic 100ft high chalk cliffs and clear blue waters is the perfect staycation.
The locals are very friendly and even though it has become more popular in recent years, it’s still relatively unknown to those living outside of Yorkshire.
One thing that really stood out to me during my visit to Flamborough was the hundreds of seals you can spot on the beach there.
Last year, over 500 grey seals were recorded at Flamborough – with many of the marine mammals using Flamborough Head as a haul-out site.
Tony Roberton, a Flamborough resident who moved just a few years ago from Pudsey, Leeds, said the area offers a “more peaceful” and “slower pace of life” than the busy northern city.
While owning his own tyre business in Leeds, he said it would take at least an hour to commute to work through the bustling city due to traffic.
He told Express.co.uk: “When you come here, you get half a dozen cars in front of you and it’s considered busy.”
Tony said he’s lived in Flamborough for around three years and “loves it,” adding that he “likes the simplicity compared to Leeds”.
“When I was in Pudsey, there was a row of houses behind me and another row of houses in front of me and I couldn’t cope with that now. You don’t get that here,” he added.
The seals were a particular highlight for me during my trip to Flamborough.
After walking to the end of the headland, I looked down from the top of the cliff and saw a herd of noisy seals flopped on their backs and strewn across the beach.
We saw them clumsily stumble across the sand and then gracefully swim into the water as the tide approached.
It was fascinating and unlike anything I have seen on an English beach before.
We also spotted seabirds nesting and flying around. Flamborough Headland is renowned for having the largest mainland seabird colony in Britain.
During the summer, the cliffs are packed with thousands of auks, gannets, gulls, and puffins but despite the unique wildlife and beautiful scenery, the area wasn’t overly touristy.
However, Vicky Fagan, who has worked in a gift shop at Flamborough Head for 16 years, told Express.co.uk the area “wasn’t half as busy as it is now” as “more people are finding out about it”.
This unique sea and cliff environment is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and its seabird colonies mark it as a Special Protection Area, making it a must-visit for anyone interested in nature or wildlife.
And with its stunning sea views and spectacular coastal chalk cliffs making it an enchanting place to visit, it’s no wonder those who encounter it say it’s Yorkshire’s hidden gem.