Skipsea

Skipsea sits on the Holderness coast of East Yorkshire, a low, breezy village strung out about two kilometres inland from a long stretch of sandy beach backed by crumbling clay cliffs. It is the kind of place that rewards people who like their coastline unpolished: no promenade, no arcades, just dunes, sky and the steady rhythm of the North Sea. The heart of the village, and the reason many visitors come at all, is the earthwork of Skipsea Castle, an 11th-century motte and bailey raised by Drogo de la Beauvriere, one of William the Conqueror's companions at Hastings, on top of what turned out to be a much older Iron Age mound.

Holderness itself is often described as the fastest-eroding coastline in Europe, and nowhere is that more visible than around Skipsea, where roughly two metres of land can disappear into the sea in a single year. It gives the village an unusual, slightly elegiac character: caravan parks perched near the cliff edge, footpaths that have had to be moved back from where they used to run, and a beach that is constantly being reshaped by the tide. For visitors that is not a reason to stay away; it is simply part of what makes this stretch of coast worth understanding, and the beach itself remains a wide, quiet, dog-friendly place to walk regardless of the geology beneath it.

Top things to do in Skipsea

Skipsea is a small village, so its own attractions are modest and best treated as one part of a wider day exploring Holderness, but there is enough here to fill a relaxed day or two.

• Skipsea Castle — An English Heritage site and Scheduled Monument, this grassy motte and bailey was built between 1071 and 1086. The mound itself is now known to be a reused Iron Age monument, possibly the largest of its kind in Britain, later adapted by the Normans and surrounded by an artificial lake, Skipsea Mere, which had its own harbour linked to the sea. Entry is free and the climb to the top gives wide views over the flat Holderness landscape.
• Skipsea beach — A long, sandy, largely undeveloped beach reached down a track from the village, popular for dog walking, beachcombing and watching the cliffs and coastal defences at close quarters. There are no amenities on the beach itself, so it stays quiet even in summer.
• Skipsea Brough — The neighbouring hamlet just south of Skipsea marks the site of the fortified medieval borough created by Count William le Gros in the 12th century around the castle, with houses and shops that once fronted a toll road; little remains above ground but it is an easy stroll from the castle earthworks.
• Skirlington Sunday Market — A large car boot sale and market held on the Skirlington leisure park a short drive south of Skipsea, one of the bigger regular markets in the area and a popular half-day out for visitors staying locally.
• Hornsea — About five miles south along the coast, Hornsea is a proper seaside town with a sandy beach, Hornsea Mere (Yorkshire's largest natural lake, good for birdwatching and boat trips), and a small high street of shops and cafes.
• Bridlington — Roughly ten miles north, Bridlington is the area's main seaside resort, with a working harbour, amusements, a long promenade and easy access on to Flamborough Head and its chalk cliffs and seabird colonies.

Getting to Skipsea

Skipsea lies just off the B1242 coast road between Bridlington and Hornsea, about ten miles from Bridlington and five miles from Hornsea, making it an easy drive from either. The nearest railway stations are at Bridlington and Beverley, both connected to Hull, York and beyond; from either you would need a car, taxi or bus for the final leg, as Skipsea itself has no station. Hull is around twenty miles to the south-west and is the nearest city with a mainline station and wider transport links. There is no direct rail line along this stretch of coast, so most visitors arrive by car.

Best time to visit Skipsea

Summer, from June to August, brings the longest days, the warmest sea and the busiest caravan parks and campsites, and is the obvious choice for a beach-based break. Spring and early autumn are quieter and often just as pleasant for walking the beach and visiting Skipsea Castle, with fewer crowds at nearby Bridlington and Hornsea. Because so much of the appeal here is outdoors and weather-dependent, winter is a much quieter proposition, though the bracing, empty beach and low winter light have their own appeal for a short off-season visit.

Where to stay in Skipsea

Skipsea is best known for its caravan and holiday parks, several of which sit close to the coast on either side of the village, offering static caravans, touring pitches and, in some cases, glamping options. The village also has a scattering of self-catering cottages and holiday lets. For a wider choice of hotels and guesthouses, Bridlington and Hornsea, both a short drive away, offer considerably more options, from traditional seafront hotels to smaller B&Bs.

Food and drink in Skipsea

Skipsea keeps things simple: the village pub, The Board Inn, is the main hub for food and a drink, and there is a small parade of shops including a general store and, in season, an ice cream parlour. For a wider choice of pubs, cafes and restaurants, most visitors head to Hornsea or Bridlington, both within easy driving distance and well stocked with places to eat by the sea.