Bus Blogger Lewis: Exploring the Coast with the Coaster and Beachcomber!

Exploring the Yorkshire Coast with the Coaster and Beachcomber

The arrival of sunnier weather signals the onset of summer, and like many, the coast becomes an irresistible destination. The allure of relaxing on the beach and indulging in a refreshing ice cream is hard to resist!

Recently, we were fortunate enough to spend a car-free weekend on the beautiful Yorkshire Coast. Here’s a glimpse into our adventure and some tips on how to make the most of your trip without a car.

Day 1: Getting There - Convenient and Car-Free We started our journey on the frequent service 121, which runs hourly from Hull seven days a week. On Saturdays, this service operates every 30 minutes from Beverley, taking you through the bustling market town of Driffield before arriving at the charming seaside resort of Bridlington, which served as the base for our stay. Bridlington is also accessible from Hornsea on service 130, from Skipsea and Ulrome on services 130 and 136, and from Scarborough and Filey on services 12 and 13 (more on these later).

Afternoon Adventure: Sewerby Hall and Bridlington Spa After a quick check-in at our hotel, we noticed the weather was quite dull. So, we caught the frequent Coaster 14 service to Sewerby Hall. This Grade I listed Georgian house, built in the 1700s, is a hidden gem of East Yorkshire. It even had an exhibition about Hull’s famous aviator Amy Johnson, displaying a treasure trove of items from her historic solo flight to Australia. As the sun came back out, we enjoyed the gardens and explored the zoo, which even has penguins! We then caught the Coaster 14 back into Bridlington. Our plan was to have an evening stroll along the South Bay beach, but when we saw the impressive Bridlington Spa, we decided to explore this top entertainment venue instead. Although we couldn't catch a show, the line-up for 2024 is promising with artists like Olly Murs, Sam Ryder, Will Young, and comedians such as Sarah Millican and Jimmy Carr. There are also events like roller discos, cinema nights, ballroom dancing, and children’s themed events. Whether you're a music lover, comedy fan, or looking for family-friendly activities, Bridlington Spa has something to offer.

Day 2: Bridlington Adventures

Morning: Beach Fun

We kicked off our first full day by exploring the stunning South Bay beaches, which we had initially planned for the previous night. The golden sands and clear waters of Bridlington make it a perfect spot for a relaxing morning walk. The beach was relatively quiet, allowing us to soak in the serene atmosphere and enjoy the sound of the waves. Families were enjoying the summer fun, with paddling pools, beach houses, and nearby ice cream shops, beach shops, and cafés adding to the atmosphere. The lifeboat station is also worth a visit; visitors can see the lifeboat and purchase RNLI merchandise to support this life-saving charity.

Afternoon: Harbour and Pirate Boat Trip After a leisurely morning, we headed down to the harbour. Bridlington's harbour is bustling with activity and is a great place to watch the boats come and go. We decided to swap the bus for a pirate boat trip along the Bridlington coast—a fun and unique way to see the area. The boat trip is ideal for families, and kids will love the pirate theme. Although we considered the speed boat, the Yorkshire Belle offers an hour-long cruise along the Bridlington coastline, going up to Flamborough Bay for some amazing views.

Evening: Exploring More of Bridlington In the evening, we strolled through the charming streets of Bridlington. The town is home to a variety of local shops, cafés, and restaurants. We found a cosy little café where we enjoyed some local delicacies and chatted with friendly locals. The relaxed pace of the town was a refreshing change from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Day 3: Exploring Filey and Scarborough

Morning: Journey to Filey The next day, we decided to explore Filey and Scarborough using the East Yorkshire Coaster services 12 and 13, which run every 30 minutes between Bridlington, Filey, and Scarborough. These buses are well-equipped with comfortable seats, some with tables and USB charging ports—ideal for longer trips. The friendly driver helped us with ticket prices and using contactless cards. The services also provide links and connections to many holiday parks, perfect if that’s where you’re staying.

Filey: A Charming Coastal Gem We started with the 10:20 service from Bridlington and soon arrived at Filey Bus Station. Filey, though smaller than Bridlington and Scarborough, has a unique charm. The walk down the hill from the bus station reveals many small local businesses perfect for picnic supplies if you're heading to the beach. Filey beach is a gorgeous stretch of unspoiled golden sand where families can fly kites, build sandcastles, or take a refreshing dip in the sea.

For those seeking more adventure, Filey Brigg, a long headland, offers stunning views of the coastline and is a great spot for walking. Nearby, the Filey Bird Garden and Animal Park are home to exotic birds, raccoon dogs, an Asian leopard cat, and cheeky meerkats. The Coaster bus stops here too, making it a convenient visit.

Afternoon: Filey to Scarborough After enjoying the morning in Filey, we caught the Coaster bus to Scarborough. The journey itself was a treat, offering spectacular views of the coast from the top deck. It’s a relaxing way to travel and avoid the stress of parking or navigating busy roads.

Scarborough: Classic Seaside Fun Arriving in Scarborough, the Coaster 13 dropped us off at Aquarium Top, near the iconic Scarborough Spa Bridge. We took the Beachcomber open-top buses, which run every 12 minutes during peak season. The fresh sea breeze on the open deck was a delightful way to enjoy the views of Scarborough’s south beach and harbour before continuing to the North Bay and Peasholm Park. These buses link everything Scarborough has to offer so frequently, usually up to every 12 minutes in the summer peak and allow you to visit everything the town has to offer.

After exploring Peasholm Park, we jumped back onto the open-top Beachcomber bus before hopping off at Luna Park. Kids can explore the rides here, but we opted for the amusements. We then took the vintage cliff tramway, which originated in 1881. It saved our tired legs from the hundreds of steps to the town centre before we explored some of the shops. The town centre is a shopper’s paradise with markets and the Brunswick Shopping Centre. We then boarded the bus back to Bridlington. Remember, service 13 conveniently picks up passengers right at the end of the seafront.

Scarborough offers some of the best beaches on the Yorkshire Coast and plenty of activities. The rock pools are great for kids to learn about marine life, and the climb to Scarborough Castle rewards you with spectacular views.

Evening Entertainment in Scarborough: We didn’t get a chance to visit Scarborough’s open-air theatre (maybe next time), but the venue features a variety of performances. Recent acts include Tom Jones, and upcoming shows feature Rick Astley, Fatboy Slim, JLS, Becky Hill, Busted, and Madness. Shuttle buses are available to take you to and from the theatre for the shows, so you can always grab a nice meal in the town centre before taking the shuttle bus. For the sport fans, Cricket season is upon us and fans thanks to the special shuttle bus, its never been easier to get there. Why not see a game and cheer on Yorkshire?

Practical Tips for Your Trip

· Unlimited Bus Rides: An adult pass on the Beachcomber is just £5, and a group of four can travel for £12 all day. This makes it an affordable way to explore the coast without the hassle of driving.

· Comfortable Travel: The buses have comfortable seats, some with tables and USB charging ports, ensuring a pleasant journey.

· Convenient Payments: Drivers accept contactless payments and cash, making it easy to hop on and off the bus without worrying about exact change.

· Friendly Drivers: If you’ve never used the bus before, don’t worry. You can find our Beachcomber timetable here and the Coaster timetable here, and a useful guide to using the bus here. If you need more help, just ask the driver!

· Frequent Buses: As already stated, buses along and to the coast are frequent, making travel convenient and stress-free.

Final Thoughts

Exploring the Yorkshire Coast with East Yorkshire Buses just makes the stress disappear. The Coaster and Beachcomber services offer a convenient and enjoyable way to experience the beauty and charm of Yorkshire’s coastal towns. From the bustling harbour of Bridlington to the golden beaches of Filey and the vibrant attractions of Scarborough, there’s something for everyone.

The flexibility and comfort of the bus services make it easy to explore multiple destinations in one trip, allowing you to make the most of your coastal adventure. With bus fares only being £2 for a single journey, and £16.40 for a Go Anywhere ticket for unlimited travel on any East Yorkshire bus, why not take the bus? No searching for parking, you help the environment, and you can just let the scenery do the talking!

Stay tuned for more travel adventures in our blog series as we continue to uncover hidden gems and share our experiences from around the world!