For the long weekend in November 2022, we decided to try a new spot. The anklebiterz were dispatched to the grandparents, and we headed out east.

We were looking at a couple of hours drive, and as it was sunshining we decided to take a detour/lunch stop to Bempton as it was not much out of the way and we love a clifftop meander whether there’s birds to spot or no.

We enjoyed a brace of soups and pastries in the front window of the caff and had a clifftop meander in the sun.

From Bempton we took the coast road north and it took us about half an hour to get to Filey. Both of us know we have visited before, but it was so deep in the distant past that, as Gandalf says, I have no memory of this place.

We skirted around the town itself and drove through what looked like the edge of a housing estate to get to Filey Country Park, which is where the campsite is.

There are a couple of car parks just inside the entrance, and it’s worth remembering that out of the main holiday season, they are free.

There’s barrier entry to the campsite, and I’d booked online in advance, so it was just a question of checking in.

It’s not exactly the prettiest, very flat and open for the most part, but we were on the back edge, backing on to some trees for a bit more shelter. No complaints about the facilities either (except the bubblegum pink colourscheme) Mother would be satisfied.

Filey Brigg Campsite £20.50 p/n on hard standing with EHU. £10 deposit for the key card to access the facilities block.

From the campsite, there are plenty of walking paths, around the country park, out on to Filey Brigg, along the cliffs down to the town. If the kids had been with us, and with their bikes, we wouldn’t have seen them for dust.

There’s a cafe by the campsite entrance. By all accounts it has good reviews, but we were amply provisioned on the bacon and tea fronts so we didn’t check it out (this time).

We took a walk down to the sailing club which was a steep 2 minute walk from the camp reception. All was quiet. The waves made a great tinkly noise on the pebbles below.

From the sailing club slipway, you can see the town seafront area, and I bet at low tide you can walk along the beach. Thing is, there’s no beach left at high tide. So we doubled back.

We climbed up to the cliff path and walked over to the town, took about 10 minutes.

We decided to walk along the sea front rather than up into the town as the sun was starting to sink. The walk along the front was really enjoyable, marred only by the crazy golf being shut.

We didn’t find anywhere open for a cheeky snifter. Even the Tea Bar was closing, so we headed back for a cider and something to eat.

Saturday morning was clear and bright so we decided we’d brave a stroll out to the Brigg before packing up, but after the regulation quantity of bacon.

As we walked across the country park, it looks like the open clifftop gets used as a cheeky park up as there were a few vans dotted about, but it was pretty blustery. I’m glad we had been in the more sheltered campsite.

When we got to the top of the country park, the wind was proper biting, but we decided to press on regardless and see what we could see.

It was a two coats, hat and hood kind of scenario, but the views were great. We made it about two thirds of the way out before retreating due to frostbite. At low tide there is a path along the beach, and in a couple of places, you can climb up/down. A bit precarious and muddy, though.

Warming coffees were needed before packing up. We had arranged to meet Dave & Vicky, who were in Scarborough at the time, and were coming to Filey for fish and chips.

We checked out and drove through town, we parked up at the big car park near the golf club down the end of West Avenue (also free at this time of year) and walked back through the park.

It was surprisingly nice, and quite busy. Loads of shops to nose in, and the tat was quite novel:

We met up at Inghams Fish and Chips (no relation), which has a sit-in bit and a takeaway and enjoyed a standard seaside ration, with tea.

All in all we had a top time and Filey is now on the radar for further adventures. Combining with a Bempton stop was a top idea and we’ll definitely repeat. Maybe even with the kids.

#campervancapers