Filey is like nearby Scarborough's younger, quieter sister and is often overlooked in favour of the castle, beaches and promenade of the former seaside town.
But for a more authentic taste of the North East coast, this pretty fishing town offers glorious sands, beautiful sunrises and a chance to get back to nature along the North Yorkshire coastline. Stroll to Filey Brigg and join the renowned Cleveland Way footpath, explore Glen Gardens or hunt for fossils in the bay. However you choose to spend your time, the local area has a number of great campsites in which to pitch your tent. And, as always, only the very best have made it onto our shortlist.
Between the seaside resorts of Scarborough and Bridlington, Filey offers simpler days by the seaside. Its long sandy beach is perfect for paddling, swimming and sandcastle building and it' got a lower-key attraction all of its own with a promenade, beach huts and a bandstand just off the shoreline. It's a great launching pad for walks on the 109-mile Cleveland Way which starts at Filey Brigg, a peninsula a mile north of the town. Camping and glamping in Filey and its surroundings gives you access to wilder and quieter stretches of the Yorkshire coastline but keeps you within reach of the kiss-me-quick entertainment of the busier neighbouring resorts and offers easy access to the stunning Yorkshire moors too. The area's been attracting holidaymakers since Victorian times and there are plenty of places to stay but here at Hipcamp we steer clear of the large-scale holiday parks and caravan sites that dominate the coast and look for smaller, independent camping and glamping sites. We've only given the thumbs up to the ones that we think offer something special whether that's a classic campsite in a special location or luxury glamping in pods, yurts and bell tents.
Filey's golden sands are where it's at if you want a paddle in the sea, lunch with a sea view or a stroll along the prom. The town centre has independent shops and cafes and a little museum where you can learn about its history. Filey Brigg, a mile north of town, is where the Cleveland Way National Trail begins. It's a lovely place for walking, running and birdwatching. The same can be said about Flamborough Head, 13 miles to the south, with its iconic lighthouse. It's less than 10 miles to Scarborough which offers the full range of seaside attractions from donkey rides on the beach to boating in Peasholm Park and the Scarborough Sealife Centre. Inland, you can explore Dalby Forest where there's yet more walking, mountain bike trails and treetop adventures, on the edge of the Yorkshire Moors National Park. For more informationon things to do while you're camping and glamping in Filey, visit the Discover Yorkshire Coast website.
Just south of the bucket-and-spade resort of Scarborough, the smaller town of Filey offers a quieter way to explore the North Yorkshire coast, with a host of good campsites in the local area. Find the best of them today, with Hipcamp's carefully selected collection of top campsites.