RSPB Bempton Cliffs

One of the UK’s top wildlife spectacles and the most accessible seabird colony in the UK. Around half-a-million seabirds swooping, soaring and screeching around towering chalk cliffs.

Between March and October, you can see puffins, guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes, herring gulls, fulmars and shags here as well as the largest seabird in the UK, the majestic gannet. The 28,000 strong gannet colony here is the largest on the UK mainland.

Hard surfaced paths lead to three viewing platforms with ramped access and wheelchair bays. Three more platforms can be accessed by rougher paths.

Inside the Seabird Centre, there's information about the wildlife on the cliffs along with a refreshments counter, a gift shop and toilets. Large TV screens show live images from the nesting sites.

Events and activities throughout the year

Six, safe viewpoints perch on the cliff tops and give incredible views of the nesting birds and along the impressive coastline. Viewpoint volunteers are on hand to help identify the different species and point out the action.

The Seabird Centre is the gateway to ‘seabird city’. Inside you can find out about the wildlife that makes its home on the cliffs, discover more about our amazing seabirds, delve into the history and heritage of the cliffs, get stuck into nature-themed arts and crafts and pick up everything you need for a picnic. There’s also a well-stocked shop to browse around.

Surrounded by trees, a quiet bird feeding garden is a short walk away and is a peaceful place to view farmland and migrant visitors.

A nature trail winds its way around the reserve and Discover backpacks can be hired to help youngsters identify the wildlife they might spot as they explore. Binoculars can also be hired (recommended).

For the less mobile, three viewpoints are fully wheelchair accessible and are connected by a hard-surfaced wheelchair friendly path that forms a circular route starting and finishing at the seabird centre. HD CCTV beams images from the cliffs directly to big screens in the seabird centre.

Events and activities take place all year round. From photography workshops to guided walks and seabird cruises, there’s always something interesting happening. But if you prefer do your own thing, simply wander along the cliff top paths and take in the views.

During the winter months, the quiet cliffs are the perfect place to blow away the cobwebs. Take a stroll along the dramatic cliff tops then warm up in the Seabird Centre with a steaming bowl of soup.