Wild and Wonderful

in Allerthorpe

Enjoy unforgettable encounters with some of Britain’s most iconic wildlife at the Yorkshire Nature Triangle.

Is there a species you’re desperate to see in real life? Or just wondering what wildlife you can see in East Yorkshire and along the coast? You may be surprised by the wealth of wildlife that there is in East Yorkshire, with arguably some of Britain’s best viewing experiences for wader flocks, seabirds and whales.

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Created by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust in order to promote a variety of East Yorkshire’s diverse habitats, it stretches from Scarborough to Spurn Point via Selby. This lopsided triangle contains more than 30 wildlife Sites of Special Scientific Interest, including two of the RSPB’s flagship bird sanctuaries at Bempton and Blacktoft Sands.

Firmly located within the Vale of York, we start at Allerthorpe Common. It is a rather unlikely location for a heath; within dense woodland it’s hard to imagine seeing the sky again, never mind anything other than a thick net of trees in all directions. However, that’s what makes the Common such a great conservation site. Attracted by the warm bodies of the rare breed cattle that have made the de-forested ground their home, the wetland that takes up a fair portion of the site is the centre of frenetic insect activity during the summer months.

In turn, the predators that feed on these insects are the star of the show; dragonflies, damselflies and darters, not to mention the lizards that emerge from the heather and the wading curlew from the nearby canals. From the woods we continue across the triangle to the coast and the cliffs at Bempton. In summer it is estimated that 250,000 seabirds live out the breeding season clinging to the sheer white face, with booming gannets dropping tens of feet into the waves pursued by opportunistic seagulls matching their dives in the hope of stealing a morsel of catch. Deafening in its intensity, it would be easy to miss the other species over the noise of the gannet colony, but the cliffs are also home to puffin, fulmar, kittiwake and shag that vie for space and food amongst the throng.

Wild Yorkshire

Whether you have a budding naturalist on your hands, or are just keen to get the kids more involved with nature, there are a great selection of family friendly wildlife activities on offer within the Yorkshire Nature Triangle.

Spurn Safari

This famous Yorkshire beauty spot gives visitors a chance to experience it as never before. Kids will love riding the giant Unimog 4×4 along the sands at YWT Spurn National Nature Reserve, Easington. Sit back and enjoy a safari style tour of Spurn in an all-terrain vehicle. Find out about the history, wildlife and changing landscape.

RSPB Bempton Cliffs

Until the end of the summer school holidays, there’s a daily events programme at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, near Bridlington. Puffin patrols, through the lens, mini-beast hunts and more make up the events programme. The site offers all the essentials for a lovely day out: activities for kids, nature trails, picnic areas, equipment for hire and a Seabird Centre. You can even get a sneak peek of the birds with CCTV footage beamed live from the cliff face.

Living Seas Centre

The Living Seas Centre in Flamborough, is a free marine visitor centre with arts and crafts activities available every day for children. Join Living Seas Officers for a Seashore Safari, come along for an evening talk, create a marine-themed masterpiece or learn about Yorkshire’s valuable shellfish! Discover the weird and wonderful creatures to be found hidden below the waves.

This article was taken from our Summer Guide 2017

Related Accommodation

The accommodation below is nearby - and has been updated recently.

Laburnum Lodge with Hot Tub

Wapplington Lane, Allerthorpe, York, YO42 4RL, United Kingdom

Old Orchard Cottage

Old Orchard Cottage, Allerthorpe, York, East Riding of Yorkshire, YO42 4RW, United Kingdom

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