Bempton Cliffs RSPB Circular Walk
East Yorkshire
Bempton Cliffs RSPB is a dog friendly stretch of chalk coast where puffins, gannets and guillemots nest in their thousands between April and August. The circular walk from the RSPB visitor centre heads north along the clifftop trail, dips past the viewing platforms at Staple Newk and Grandstand, then loops back through arable fields and Bempton village.
Dogs are welcome on the reserve footpaths but must be on a short lead at all times: the clifftops are unfenced in long sections, ground-nesting birds use the verges, and the field section crosses working farmland that usually has sheep, occasionally cows. The clifftop path is close-cropped grass with some firm gravel stretches, good year round, with one or two short muddy patches after rain. The RSPB visitor centre has a cafe, toilets, water bowls and a generous car park with eleven Blue Badge bays.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 6.6 km (4.1 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 2 hr
- Walk Type
- Coastal
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- None
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- RSPB visitor centre with cafe, toilets, shop and drinking water at the start and finish.
- Parking
- Large RSPB visitor centre car park at Cliff Lane, Bempton (YO15 1JF); free to RSPB members, small charge otherwise.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bempton Cliffs RSPB Circular Walk dog friendly?
Yes, dogs are welcome on the reserve footpaths at Bempton Cliffs RSPB, earning it a solid 7.5/10 dog friendly rating. The RSPB visitor centre makes a great base, with a cafe, toilets, and water bowls available at both the start and end of the walk.
Can dogs be off lead at Bempton Cliffs RSPB Circular Walk?
Dogs must be kept on a short lead at all times throughout the walk. This is for good reason: long sections of the clifftop are unfenced, ground-nesting birds use the verges between April and August, and the field section crosses working farmland with sheep and occasionally cows.
What should I know before visiting Bempton Cliffs RSPB Circular Walk with my dog?
The clifftop path is close-cropped grass with some firm gravel stretches, making it walkable year round, though you may encounter a muddy patch or two after rain. The route loops from the RSPB visitor centre along the clifftops past viewing platforms at Staple Newk and Grandstand, then returns through arable fields and Bempton village — so expect a mix of terrain and keep your lead handy throughout. Parking is at the RSPB visitor centre car park on Cliff Lane (YO15 1JF), free for RSPB members or a small charge for non-members.
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