What Is The Best Beach In Yorkshire According To TripAdvisor Visitors?

When someone mentions a trip to the seaside, what comes to mind? Probably crowds, maybe some noisy arcades, and the endless quest for a decent spot on the sand. But what if there was a place that offered all the good stuff without the chaos? It turns out there is, and according to thousands of reviews, it's right here in the UK.

Filey Beach in North Yorkshire has officially been crowned the best in the county, beating out some pretty stiff competition. The verdict comes from the people who matter most: the actual visitors who've left their comments on TripAdvisor, and they've got a lot of good things to say.

So, what makes Filey stand out?

It's not every day that a beach gets a near-perfect score, but Filey has managed it. With an impressive 4.7 out of 5 rating based on over 2,600 reviews on TripAdvisor, it has left popular spots like Scarborough and Whitby in its sandy wake. So, what's the secret? Well, for starters, it boasts a massive five-mile sandy shoreline. That's a huge amount of space for building sandcastles, flying kites, or just finding a quiet patch to read a book.

Nestled on the coast between Scarborough and Bridlington, this seaside town offers more than just a beautiful stretch of sand. Visitors can wander along a historic promenade, discover a unique sculpture trail, and explore the fascinating rock pools at Filey Brigg. It's a completely different kind of day out compared to heading into a city to visit the latest opening at Meadowhall or looking for a bargain in Huddersfield town centre.

A day at this Yorkshire beach is about slowing down and enjoying the simpler things. The sheer sense of Yorkshire pride surrounding this place is obvious from the glowing reviews.

'90 percent classier' - what the visitors say

One of the recurring themes in the reviews is that Filey just feels a bit more special than other places. A tourist, The Codnore Traveller, summed it up perfectly in their comments:

"Filey as a seaside town is infinitely more classy than about 90% of all other UK seaside towns, and so it is little wonder that Filey Beach is one of the nicest in the country. Bookended by Filey Brigg on one side and Bempton Cliffs on the other, Filey Beach comprises 5 miles of clean, unadulterated beach that can be enjoyed by young and old alike. This Beach is clean, and when I say clean, I mean CLEAN."

Another visitor, Michael Scott, painted a brilliant picture of his trip on a sunny May day:

"I asked several local people what I could do in Filey. They all answered 'go to the beach '. So, on a gloriously sunny May day, I took the train from Scarborough and cycled the half mile or so from the station downhill on a very bumpy cobbled street to the seaside. Wow! The beach stretched for miles, a huge expanse of beautiful hard-packed sand. Filey is so much quieter than Scarborough, and I must confess, much more to my taste. There was so much space that people had vast areas to play football, fly kites, and to sit quietly without any interference from anybody else. Withlassy sculptures on the wide prom and lots of uncommercialised areas, I must confess Filey quickly became a favourite. I will return."

More than just sand and sea

A great beach day isn't just about the beach itself; it's about the whole experience. That means having good places to eat, drink, and grab an essential seaside treat. Luckily, Filey delivers here too. There are plenty of cafes, restaurants, and bars to choose from. One reviewer, Helen H, highlighted the practical side of things:

"Filey has one of the best beaches on this stretch of the coast in my opinion. And today we walked down to Coble landing to the beach this way. This stretch is used for a multitude of reasons: dog-walkers, surfers, fishermen and visitors. There are a selection of cafes, restaurants, bars and shops for holidaymakers wanting bucket and spades, and everything else needed for the perfect day on the beach."

And what about the food? Forget the idea that this seaside town could ever be the UK's 'chippy capital'; the focus here is quality over quantity. Another visitor shared their experience:

"Beach is lovely- sandy- designated dog areas. Lovely fish and chips place at the top of the beach (one portion of chips and scampi between 3 of us was enough to stop the hunger pangs- £12). The cook to order so you will have to wait. There was a place that sold ice cream and drinks and beach stuff (very busy) including some doggy ice cream for dogs (we don't have a dog but lots of people here did). Lovely beach- would recommend."

It's these little details, like ice cream for dogs, that make a place memorable.

A different kind of Yorkshire day out

With so much going on across Yorkshire, it's easy to get drawn to the big attractions. There are special Flying Scotsman events to see, and Bradford is gearing up for a major BBC festival as part of its City of Culture celebrations. People might be curious about the new plans for the Abbeydale Picture House. But the charm of Filey is that it offers an escape from all that. It's one of those special places that feels a world away from the hustle and bustle.

The overwhelmingly positive comments on TripAdvisor show that for thousands of people, this specific Yorkshire beach is the perfect antidote to a busy life. It truly represents the best of the North Yorkshire coast.