Camping in Cayton Bay

Cayton Bay does not have camping directly on the beach, and as with anywhere in England, pitching a tent on open land without the landowner's permission is not allowed — the closest legal camping is at established sites a short distance from the bay itself. Cayton Village, just inland from the beach, has a caravan and camping park with pitches for tents, touring caravans and motorhomes, along with glamping pods and cabins for those who would rather not bring their own kit; it makes a convenient base within easy walking distance of the cliff path down to the sand.

A little further south towards Filey, larger holiday parks offer a bigger range of caravan and lodge accommodation along with their own on-site bars, restaurants and entertainment, useful if you are travelling with family and want more facilities on the doorstep. Both areas sit on the same stretch of coast, so wherever you pitch up you are within a short drive or bus ride of Cayton Bay's surf, fossils and clifftop walking.

The North Yorkshire coast is exposed to North Sea weather, so this is not a spot for a flimsy tent — sturdy kit and good pegs matter, especially on cliff-top sites that catch the wind. Summer is the easiest season for camping here, with the longest days and warmest evenings, though the shoulder seasons of spring and early autumn often bring quieter sites and better surf, if you do not mind packing extra layers. For anyone who would rather skip the tent-pitching altogether, the glamping pods and cabins around Cayton Village offer a warmer, more sheltered alternative while keeping you just as close to the beach.