Stunning beach where dinosaurs once roamed lies just 2 miles from a famous town

Towering cliffs, fossil-strewn sands, and even the remains of a sunken ship – it’s hard to believe this hidden bay is just a short distance from one of the UK’s busiest seaside towns.

Skip the crowds and visit this ‘secret’ pirate cove where dinosaurs once roamed. If soft golden sands and clear waters aren’t enough, there are dramatic cliffs, fossils to find, and even a mysterious shipwreck to discover.

Only 1.8 miles (about a 10-minute drive) from the very popular town of Whitby, this hidden gem stays much quieter all year round, making it a brilliant spot for a peaceful family day out. If you arrive early enough, you might even have the whole bay to yourself.

Image credit: Photo © Peter Johnson (cc-by-sa/2.0)

You can hunt for ammonites and belemnites, and with a bit of luck, even spot real dinosaur footprints in the rocks.

You’ll also see the wreck of the Admiral Von Tromp, which sank there in 1976 and can still be seen when the tide is low.

One happy visitor shared on Tripadvisor: "AMAZING fossil-hunting beach 10 minutes from Whitby. Beautiful, and my boys found plenty of fossils in their two-hour search. Highly recommended," while another added: "Within minutes, our children had found a fossil just lying on the pebbled beach by the rocks."

Make sure to check the tide times before you visit – and be ready for the steep walk down to the beach.

Image credit: Photo © Bill Boaden (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Saltwick Bay is just over 250 miles from London, meaning a car journey would take about 5 hours and 18 minutes. Another option is to take the train to Whitby, which is a bit quicker, and then get a taxi to Saltwick Bay.

However, train journeys usually need at least one change and can be pricey. For example, a one-way adult ticket on Friday, 25 April costs £71.50.

Staying in Saltwick Bay itself can be tricky unless you fancy camping next to dinosaur footprints! Luckily, Whitby has plenty of hotels, cottages, and B&Bs to suit all budgets – though prices rise during busy times of the year.

Remember - LeaveNoTrace!

As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!

Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.

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