Cayton Bay Beach on the North Yorkshire coast is a quiet and scenic retreat, perfect if you’re looking for a peaceful alternative to the busier beaches of Scarborough. This one-kilometre stretch of sand is ideal for families, nature lovers, and anyone wanting to enjoy the seaside without the usual hustle and bustle.
- The Beach and Surrounding Area
- Facilities at Cayton Bay
- Things to Do on the Beach at Cayton Bay
- How to Get to Cayton Bay
- Things to Do in Cayton Village
- Places to Eat in Cayton Village
- Where to Stay in Cayton Village
The Beach and Surrounding Area
Cayton Bay Beach features a wide expanse of sand, with rocky areas emerging at low tide. The beach is backed by steep cliffs, adding to its secluded feel. On top of these cliffs and further into the rural village, you’ll find Holiday Parks and farms.
The water quality at Cayton Bay is consistently excellent, making it a safe place to swim and enjoy other water activities.
Facilities at Cayton Bay
Cayton Bay doesn’t have an abundance of facilities, but it has all the essentials you’ll need for a fantastic day out.
Beach Kiosk – The Salty Dog
Cayton Bay Beach has a small kiosk called the Salty Dog, the only place for refreshments once you’ve arrived at the beach. Here, you can buy a range of food and drinks, including burgers, bacon and sausage sandwiches, and ice creams. The Salty Dog also sells beach toys, handy if you’re visiting with children.
There are picnic benches by the kiosk or you can take your food down the steps to eat on the beach.
Public Toilets
There are public toilets available near the kiosk, which are modern, clean and are free to use.
A Dog-Friendly Beach
Cayton Bay is a dog-friendly beach with no restrictions on dogs at any time of the year. This makes it a popular spot for dog owners who want to let their pets enjoy a run on the sand or splash in the sea. The kiosk even sells a special ice cream for dogs.
Lifeguard Services and Safety
Lifeguard services are provided at Cayton Bay Beach during specific times of the year. For 2024, the lifeguard patrol schedule is as follows:
- Weekends and Bank Holidays: 04 May – 19 May
- May Half Term: 25 May – 02 June
- Weekends Only: 08 June – 30 June
- Daily: 06 July – 01 September
Lifeguards are on duty from 10 am to 6 pm during these periods. It’s important to note that if there are no flags on the beach, there are no lifeguards present, so swimming and water activities should be undertaken with caution outside these times.
Things to Do on Cayton Bay Beach
There’s plenty to keep both kids and adults occupied on the beach. While swimming, building sandcastles, or simply relaxing with a good book are obvious activities, you may also enjoy the following:
- Rockpooling: At low tide, the rocks exposed on the beach are great for exploring. You can find crabs, small fish, and other marine life in the pools. Aqua shoes are advisable if you’re climbing over rocks.
- Surfing: Cayton Bay is known for its excellent surfing conditions and is home to the Scarborough Surf School, which is open all year-round, seven days a week. The school provides lessons for all skill levels in surfing and also offers coasteering and stand-up paddleboarding.
- Bird Watching: The natural environment around Cayton Bay provides a rich habitat for various bird species, making it an ideal spot for bird watching.
- Fossil Hunting: Cayton Bay is popular with fossil hunters. You can find fossils in the rocky areas exposed at low tide and in the rocks beneath the cliffs. Take care, though, as there has been significant coastal erosion around these cliffs.
How to Get to Cayton Bay from Scarborough
If you’re starting your journey from Scarborough, there are several convenient options for getting to Cayton Bay Beach.
- By Bus: The Coaster number 12 bus runs regularly from Scarborough Railway Station to Cayton. The journey takes approximately 13 minutes, where you can get off at the stop closest to Cayton Bay Holiday Park. From there, it’s a short walk to the beach.
- By Taxi: Taxis are readily available outside Scarborough Railway Station, and a ride to Cayton Bay takes around 10 minutes, depending on traffic.
- By Car: If you’re driving, head south on the A165 from Scarborough. Follow signs for Cayton Bay, and you’ll reach the beach in about 10 minutes. There’s parking available at the top of the cliffs.
- By Bike: A cycle ride from Scarborough (starting from the train station car park) to Cayton Bay is just under 4 miles and takes about 20 minutes.
- On Foot: You can walk the scenic Cleveland Way from Scarborough all the way to Cayton. Just follow the signposts – if you start walking from St Nicholas Cliff in Scarborough, it takes about an hour and 20 minutes.
Below is the cycle route from Scarborough Station Car Park to Cayton Bay. It bypasses the A165.
Cayton Bay Beach Parking
There is parking available near the beach. Visitors can park in Cayton Bay Beach Car Park at the top of the cliffs, for a small charge. Alternatively, there is usually plenty of free parking available along the road that runs across the top of the cliffs.
How to Access Cayton Bay Beach
There are a couple of ways to reach Cayton Bay Beach. One of the most scenic routes is via a National Trust pathway that winds through a wooded area. This path is stepped with about 250 steps and can be slippery after rain, so appropriate footwear is recommended. The walk is beautiful, with trees providing shade and a peaceful atmosphere as you descend to the beach.
The easier option is to access the beach from the road or via the Cleveland Way, a coastal path. This route involves descending a pedestrian-only hill. The lower section of the hill is cobbled, with a pavement on one side. Due to further steps leading to the beach, Cayton Bay is not suitable for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility.
Things to Do in Cayton Village
Apart from the beautiful beach, there are a few other activities on offer in Cayton including:
- Scarborough Fair Collection: A popular museum that takes you back in time with vintage fairground rides, steam engines, and classic cars, offering great fun for all the family.
- Stained Glass Centre: A creative place selling unique stained glass art where you can also take part in workshops.
- Footgolf: Located by the Stained Glass Centre, this is a fun outdoor activity that combines football and golf.
- Playdale Farm Park: This family-friendly farm park is where children can meet animals in their natural farm environment. There are great indoor and outdoor areas, and a cafe as well, so you can spend the whole day here with plenty to do.
If you run out of things to do in Cayton, you’ll find many more things to do in and around Scarborough town.
Places to Eat Near Cayton Bay
Cayton is a small, quiet rural village just a short walk from the beach. It offers several options for food and drink:
- The Tow Bar: This family pub is just under a ten-minute walk from the beach. Located opposite the Cayton Bay Parkdean resort, it offers traditional pub food, a large outdoor seating area, and a play area for children. The pub also hosts events like bingo and live entertainment on certain nights.
- The Farrier: Situated further into the village on Main Street, this restaurant offers a special dining experience with indoor or outdoor seating, top-quality food, and excellent service.
- Wilkes at Cayton Fisheries Fish & Chips: Just across the road from The Farrier, this fish and chip shop is perfect for a traditional British seaside meal.
- Stained Glass Centre Cafe: Located within the Stained Glass Centre, this cafe is a lovely spot for a light meal or afternoon tea.
Where to Stay in Cayton
Cayton offers a variety of accommodation options, from luxurious hotels to campsites where you can pitch your own tent:
- The Farrier: A luxury hotel with an equestrian theme in Cayton village.
- Experience Freedom Glamping: Located in a rural setting within Cayton village, you can choose from a cabin, pod, or yurt.
- Eldin Hall Holiday Cottages: Set in the grounds of Eldin Hall and less than a mile’s walk from Cayton Beach. Great for families.
- Killerby Old Hall: Set in 14 acres of the grounds of Killerby Old Hall, there are cottages for 2-16 people, luxury lakeside lodges for up to 4 people, and caravan pitches.
- Parkdean Holiday Park: Less than ten minutes’ walk from Cayton Beach, offering caravans or lodges.
- Flower of May Holiday Park: Next to The Scarborough Fair attraction, offering luxury static caravans, or you can bring your own motor home, touring caravan, or tent.