East Yorkshire Accommodation Guide
East Yorkshire embodies the very best that Yorkshire has to offer. With 53 miles (85 Km) of dramatic coastline, this wonderful county also has a huge variety of interior landscapes to explore. From serene moorland to impressive castles, East Yorkshire has much to offer.
Whatever your interest, from hiking to building sandcastles on secluded beaches, East Yorkshire is one of England’s foremost tourist destinations. In this brief tourist guide we will exhibit some of East Yorkshire’s best accommodation choices and also explore some of the region’s finest attractions.
East Yorkshire or the ‘East Riding Of Yorkshire’ as it is formally known, is more than just a region however; it is a separate county in its own right. In 1974, the wider Yorkshire territory was split into four autonomous regions: North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and the East Riding of Yorkshire.
The East Riding of Yorkshire is the only one of Yorkshire’s four territories to retain its reference to ‘Riding’ however. The name descends from the Danish and Viking invaders of the 9th century who divided Yorkshire into three areas or ‘thirds’. The word ‘riding’ is an evolution of the Danish word ‘thriding’ which means one third.
Despite these administrative changes, Yorkshire as a whole has continued to be recognised as a geographic territory and cultural region in its own right. Yorkshire has its own dialect and even has a recognised day of celebration, Yorkshire Day, which is a celebration of Yorkshire’s unique heritage and culture. This annual festival takes place on 1 August.
As you would expect, East Yorkshire shares a border with South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire. It also shares a land border with Lincolnshire with the two counties being separated by the River Humber and its North Sea inlet. The Humber estuary is one of England’s major deep water estuaries and is the product of the confluence of the Ouse and Trent rivers.
Nature lovers flock to East Yorkshire to see its many natural treasures. These include the nature reserves at Bempton and Flamborough Head which support nearly a million breeding pairs of sea birds. The area is not only a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Area (SPA), it is also a designated European Marine Site (EMS) which protects the surrounding habitats.
East Yorkshire is also home to a number of traditional seaside towns and villages with quiet unspoilt beaches. These include Bridlington, Hornsea and Withernsea. Spurn Point is another popular coastal attraction. Classified as a large coastal spit, Spurn Island extends into the mouth of the Humber Estuary and is both a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and also a National Nature Reserve (NNR).
East Yorkshire / Tourist Information
- County Town: Leeds
- Land Area: 2,479 km2 (957 square miles)
- Population: 600,259 (2019)
- Population Density: 242/km2 (630 / square miles)
- Average Temperature: (Summer 20 °C)
- Days Of Rain: Dry for 162 days a year
Best Attractions In East Yorkshire
Bempton Cliffs (Bempton): Bempton Cliffs are a section of steep sided chalk cliffs and stacks that run for a steetch of 6 miles (10Km) between Flamborough Head and Filey. The coastal cliffs at Bempton are some of the highest in England reaching heights of 400 feet (120 metres) in places. Aside from the spectacular views on offer, people come here to visit the RSPB Nature Reserve which was set up to protect the many thousands of birds who reside here including Atlantic Puffins, Razorbills, Fulmars, Common Guillemots, Northern Gannets and Black-Legged Kittiwakes.
Burton Agnes Hall (Driffield): Built for Sir Henry Griffith between 1601 and 1610, this incredibly ornate stately home details a truly fascinating part of Yorkshire’s history. The hall still contains a large number of 17th century interior fittings including some extremely intricate plastered ceilings, chimney pieces and carved woodwork. The original Burton Agnes Manor House (built in 1173), still stands on a nearby site; both buildings can be visited and organised tours are regularly arranged.
Skidby Windmill (Beverley): An attraction which is especially popular with young families, Skidby Windmill was built in 1821 and remained in commercial use until 1966! Opened to the public in 1974 as a working museum, Skidby Windmill is the last working English windmill north of the Humber. Using locally produced wheat, visitors can still see the mill producing stoneground wholemeal flour to this day! The mill is open to visitors all week,
Spurn Island (Spurn Point): Spurn is a long and narrow tidal island made of sand that extends from the easternmost tip of the coastline. Reaching into the North Sea, Spurn island forms the north bank of the mouth of the Humber Estuary. No longer accessible by road at high tide, the island is over 3 miles (5 km) long and almost half the width of the estuary in places. There is a RNLI lifeboat station on the southernmost tip and also two disused lighthouses.
Best Accommodation In East Yorkshire
Hurdles Cottage (Filey): This incredible ‘5 Star’ cottage sleeps 4 people across 2 bedrooms and is located close to Filey beach and the Yorkshire Wolds. With its gated entrance, Hurdles Cottage is part of a development of four luxury holiday properties – sleeping up to 16 people when booked in unison. Guests can also enjoy shared use of the wonderful indoor heated swimming pool, games room and and all-weather tennis court.
Craven Cottage (Bridlington): Craven Cottage is a beautifully restored rustic farmhouse situated in Foston-on-the-Wolds and close to Beverley and Yorkshire’s east coast. With large communcal areas and a cozy wood burning stove in the lounge area, this superb holiday house sleeps 7 people across 3 bedrooms. The large garden and terrace are a particular selling point and it is therefore very popular with families and young children alike.
Stay In Britain is the ultimate guide to places to stay and things to do in Great Britain. Whether you are looking for a luxury self-catering cottage, a cheap B&B for a weekend stay, a short break in a caravan park or a business-friendly hotel in the East Yorkshire area, we have everything you need. Enjoy your stay in Britain!
