Paddling at the beach near Thornwick Bay

Top 5 things to do near Thornwick Bay and on park

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Kelly Newland is the General Manager at our Thornwick Bay Holiday Park in Flamborough, Yorkshire – an area where she was born and bred, and a coastline she has worked on for over two decades. She tells us the five best things to do whilst you are on holiday at the park, and suggests you’re going to want to pack your walking boots... 

1. Explore the stunning coastal location

1. Explore the stunning coastal location

Thornwick Bay is based on Flamborough Head, which is four and a half miles out to sea on a headland. So we are surrounded by the most stunning coastline. And from whichever side of the park you look you’re looking at coastline. It’s full of amazing bays to explore.  

And I wouldn’t just say it’s summer that you feel like you’re abroad, it is any time of year that you go down there – the sea is the most crystal blue, the sand is the softest, and there are just incredible views.  

So bring your walking boots, because even if you don’t come to explore, once you’ve seen it you just want to get out there and be part of it.

2. Enjoy those stunning views as you eat

2. Enjoy those stunning views as you eat

Our Lighthouse restaurant is aptly named, as it looks across the stunning headland and out at two lighthouses, both of which have a story to tell. One is a historic chalk tower, which was built in 1669, and which is the oldest surviving chalk tower in the UK, whilst the second lighthouse remains operational, ensuring safe passage to passing ships. It's stunning to watch the light sweep over the headland of an evening.

We’re lucky to have a sister café, called North Landing, which is just a short walk from the park, overlooking the stunning North Landing Bay. This bay has been a favourite of mine growing up, and I just love having lunch (and meetings) here and remembering how lucky we are to work in such a stunning location.

3. Try out a range of water sports and activities

3. Try out a range of water sports and activities

Whilst Thornwick Holiday Park may be know for its stunning location, we have a secret love for water sports and all things activities, which you'll see in our Activity Lake and The Boathouse. Our guests have loved the pedalos, electric boats and learning to paddleboard and kayak. I just love that we can give our guests the opportunity to try water sports whilst on holiday.

For those who prefer to stay dry, there's also our climbing wall and pedal karts – both of which have been extremely popular and bring fun for all the family.

4. Visit Bempton Cliffs

4. Visit Bempton Cliffs

The neighbouring village to Flamborough is Bempton, which is the home to Bempton Cliffs Nature Reserve - one of the UK's top wildlife spectacles. It has around half a million seabirds gathering on chalk cliffs between March and October.

Reknowned for its puffins, it is a staple in every local school’s educational day trips – I have such found memories of watching the bird nest and would always recommend it as a must-see to our guests.

Discover breaks in Yorkshire

Thornwick Bay self catering holidays

Thornwick Bay, Yorkshire

3 nights from £55

5. Stop for a family photo opp

5. Stop for a family photo opp

In such a stunning location, there are so many photo opportunities as you explore the coastline and enjoy making memories on the park.

First we have the famous Haven deck chair! It is a must for the final family group photo and one to compare to as you return for future visits. I have many photos of my children over the years on the ‘Haven deck chairs’ and we often giggle at over the memories they bring back.

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Talking about memories, brings us to another photo opportunity: The Friendly Forester Lifeboat. Haven recovered the Friendly Forester from retirement and brought it back home to Flamborough where it was originally stationed as a working lifeboat between 1953 and 1983. Holding a special place in the hearts of Flamborough's residents - with people who even served on the lifeboat still living in the village - it recently celebrated its 70th birthday.

P.S – did you know that part of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was filmed on park?!

What do you love about Thornwick Bay?

Thornwick Bay is a stunning place to work, I feel incredible lucky that I get to work in such an amazing location. From sunrise to the sunset, no matter where you walk around the park or the surrounding coastline, you will be wanting to get your camera out and take a photo. Any day, any weather type, the beaches are always a must see: picturesque and comparable to being abroad with their beauty.

Everyone who works here is so welcoming and eager to help with recommendations of where to go and explore – despite growing up on this coastline I am still finding new places to adventure and creating more memories.

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