East Riding of Yorkshire: Wolds, Sea Cliffs and the Humber
The East Riding of Yorkshire is a largely rural ceremonial county in northeast England, with an expansive coastline and the city of Hull on the Humber. Its character shifts noticeably from place to place: quiet chalk valleys and farmland give way to seaside promenades, bird-rich cliffs and low-lying shores shaped by the North Sea. Inland, market towns and villages offer a slower pace, while Hull brings museums, waterfront history and a more urban feel. Travelers can spend time walking in the Yorkshire Wolds, exploring historic streets, watching seabirds or taking an unhurried coastal break. It is a region that rewards choosing a few contrasting areas rather than treating it as a single type of destination.
Places in East Riding of Yorkshire
2 places
Bridlington
Explore Bridlington's sandy beaches, working harbor and historic Old Town, with nearby chalk cliffs, seabird colonies and practical travel notes.
Kingston upon Hull
Explore Kingston upon Hull, an East Yorkshire port city with a historic Old Town, free museums, a working waterfront and a strong maritime identity.
About East Riding of Yorkshire
The gentle shape of the Yorkshire Wolds
Inland, the Yorkshire Wolds give the East Riding much of its rural character. These chalk hills are not dramatic mountains; their appeal lies in open views, dry valleys, field paths and villages set among working farmland. The Yorkshire Wolds Way offers a way to experience this landscape on foot, though shorter walks also make sense if you are staying in one area. Expect a countryside shaped by agriculture rather than wilderness, with lanes, hedgerows and changing crops forming much of the scenery. Market towns provide useful bases for exploring, as well as a chance to see how the countryside connects to everyday local life. The pace here feels different from the coast: less about a single landmark and more about time spent moving through the landscape.
A coastline that changes as you travel
The coast ranges from traditional seaside settings to cliffs and exposed stretches of shore. Around Flamborough Head and Bempton, chalk cliffs create striking walking country and support large seabird colonies during the breeding season. Farther south, the low Holderness coast has a different character, with beaches, villages and a shoreline continually affected by erosion. At Spurn, a narrow spit of land reaches into the Humber estuary, creating an unusual landscape for walking and birdwatching where access is influenced by conditions. Seaside towns offer promenades, beaches and familiar holiday traditions, but they are only one part of the coastal experience. Before setting out, it is worth checking the weather, tides and local access advice, particularly for more exposed places.
Market-town traditions and Hull’s urban perspective
The East Riding’s towns offer a useful counterpoint to its fields and beaches. Beverley’s minster, market streets and historic buildings make it a natural stop for visitors interested in architecture and local life. Elsewhere, smaller towns serve surrounding farming communities, with independent shops and pubs that feel distinct from the seaside resorts. Hull adds another dimension to the ceremonial county. Its museums, waterfront and former fishing areas speak to a long relationship with the Humber and the North Sea, while its compact center is well suited to exploring on foot. Combining Hull with a rural or coastal stay gives a fuller sense of the region: this is both a working landscape and a place shaped by trade, seafaring and town life.
What is East Riding of Yorkshire known for?
Yorkshire Wolds walking
Chalk hills, dry valleys and farmland provide gentle walking country, including sections of the Yorkshire Wolds Way.
Flamborough’s chalk cliffs
Headland paths, coves and pale cliffs offer a coastal landscape quite different from the lower shores farther south.
Seabird colonies
The cliffs around Bempton are a notable place to watch nesting seabirds during the breeding season.
The changing Holderness coast
Low-lying stretches of shoreline reveal the continuing effects of coastal erosion.
Spurn and the Humber estuary
The narrow coastal spit and broad estuary create distinctive scenery and opportunities for birdwatching.
Maritime heritage
Hull’s docks, museums and former fishing areas reflect the region’s close connection to trade and the sea.
Why visit East Riding of Yorkshire?
Varied walks across chalk hills, cliffs and estuary landscapes
A choice between traditional seaside stays and quieter rural bases
Good opportunities for watching coastal birds
Historic streets and museums alongside outdoor experiences
Countryside that lends itself to short, unhurried walks
Things to know
The ceremonial county includes Hull, although the city is administered separately from the East Riding of Yorkshire.
A car can make it easier to combine rural villages, walking routes and different parts of the coast; check public transport connections when planning without one.
Coastal weather can change quickly, and exposed cliffs and beaches call for suitable clothing and care.
Seabird activity varies by season, so check what you are likely to see before making it the focus of a trip.
Check current access guidance before visiting Spurn or walking near eroding stretches of the Holderness coast.
Seaside resorts, farming villages and Hull offer noticeably different experiences; choose a base that suits the kind of trip you want.