Bempton Cliffs & Flamborough Head, Yorkshire

Before setting off call in at the newly extended visitor centre (live CCTV images from the cliffs are beamed onto screens inside). A surfaced path leads directly to the cliffs, but if you take the left fork you can either turn left to walk along to the cliff-top viewpoints of Bartlett Nab and beyond it Jubilee Corner, returning the same way, or turn right passing the Grandstand viewpoint. Just past Grandstand is the junction where the surfaced path leads directly back to the car park/visitor centre. A signpost here tells you that you are now on the Headland Way, a cliff-top trail that runs from Speeton Cliffs to the east round Flamborough Head to Bridlington. This walk follows it for the most part, except for the inland section. Heading south-east takes you past two more viewpoints: New Roll-up and Staple Newk.

After a fairly level stretch of cliff-top walking you ascend briefly to go over the earthwork called Danes’ Dyke. This linear bank and ditch earthwork, 2½ miles (4km) long, stretches across the Flamborough promontory. Despite its name, the dyke is thought to be prehistoric in origin. Continuing along the cliffs you pass a footpath turn on your right – your return route. Beyond that you reach the cliff-top Thornwick Bay Café.

There’s a fine grassy viewing area outside the café and an information board which tells you about the geology of the cliffs and the formation of its features. An access road leads up from the café to a junction where you turn sharp left following a path just below a private road. Very shortly leave the path that continues down towards the beach and fork right up steps to the cliff-top path which leads to the cottages. There are superb views from this promontory. As you reach the other side the picturesque cove of North Landing comes into view. The path descends a gully to cross a stream and beyond it you walk alongside a large car park to the North Landing café.

It’s easy walking along the level grassy cliff-top to Flamborough Head lighthouse - which you can spot from afar.

There are, in fact, two lighthouses on the Flamborough headland. The old one, a chalk tower set a little distance back from the sea, was built in 1669, but never lit. The newer one, dating from 1806, is situated on the cliff edge. Continue past the fog signal station and along the south side of the headland to South Landing.

0.5km beyond South Landing turn right along a footpath signed for Flamborough which leads to Beacon Farm. At the road bear right along Church Lane to the church and go through the churchyard. Turn right and follow the main road north through the village. As the road starts to bend right turn off left along a footpath signed for North Cliff. On reaching the coast, retrace your steps to the start.