A Day At Hunmanby Gap Beach In Yorkshire

I love exploring all the smaller beaches along the Yorkshire coast. Hunmanby Gap Beach is a quiet spot with golden sands and peaceful views. We visited this lovely beach recently, and I’ve put together everything you need to know for your visit.

Location

Hunmanby Gap Beach sits between Filey and Reighton Gap. You can walk along the beach to both places, or take the cliff-top path for lovely views across Filey Bay towards Bempton Cliffs.

It has easy parking and a short walk down to the sand. It’s a quiet spot that remains peaceful even in peak season, while still keeping both Filey and Reighton Sands within reach. 

Parking and beach access

You’ll find a handy car park close to Hunmanby Gap beach, just a short walk from the sand. Even at the height of summer, it usually has spaces unless it’s a really hot day. It’s **cash only**, so make sure you bring coins. The price depends on how long you want to stay, with £5 providing parking for a full day. They also have portable toilets and charge 20p to use them.

You will find a handy car park close to Hunmanby Gap beach, just a short walk from the sand. Even at the height of summer, it usually has spaces unless it’s a really hot day. It’s cash only. The price depends on how long you want to stay, with £5 providing parking for a full day. They also have port-a-loo toilets and charge 20p for their use. 

The quiet beach is a short walk from the car park, down quite a steep path. During low tide, there’s a wide stretch of golden sand. At high tide, space is limited, so be sure to check the tide times before arriving. 

A small café sits above the bay near the car park, making it great for grabbing an ice cream or warming up after paddling in cold water.  

Hunmanby Gap Tide Times: Planning Your Visit

Checking the tide times at Hunmanby Gap is absolutely essential before you visit. The beach transforms completely depending on the tide, and honestly, timing your trip right can make all the difference to your day.

Why Tide Times Matter at Hunmanby Gap

At low tide, you’ll have a massive stretch of golden sand to explore – it’s brilliant for long walks, building sandcastles, and letting kids run around safely. The beach feels huge and you’ll have plenty of space even on busier days.

At high tide, though, the usable beach space shrinks dramatically. The water comes right up to the cliffs, leaving only a narrow strip of sand or sometimes none at all. If you’ve trekked down that steep path from the car park only to find there’s no beach, you’ll be pretty disappointed. The contrast is quite dramatic – I’ve been caught out before arriving at high tide, and it’s really disappointing when you’ve made the journey.

Where to Check Tide Times for Hunmanby Gap

I always check tide times before heading to any Yorkshire beach, and there are a few reliable ways to do it:

• BBC Weather has tide times for nearby locations like Filey (Hunmanby Gap sits between Filey and Reighton Gap, so Filey tides are your best guide)
• Tide prediction websites like Tideking.com
• Local weather apps often include tide information
• The Met Office website provides detailed coastal information

Just search for “Filey tide times” or “tide times Hunmanby Gap” and you’ll find current information. Bookmark your preferred site so you can check quickly before each visit.

Best Times to Visit

For the best experience at Hunmanby Gap, I’d recommend visiting about 2-3 hours either side of low tide. This gives you:

• Plenty of beach space for the kids to play
• Those lovely shallow pools that form as the tide goes out (perfect for little ones)
• Time to explore without constantly watching the water creeping up

If you’re planning to walk along the beach to Filey or Reighton Gap, definitely go at low tide. The walks are gorgeous but can become impossible when the tide’s in.

Safety Tips

The currents can be strong at Hunmanby Gap, so keep a close eye on children even when paddling. I always make sure to:

• Check the tide times before leaving home
• Note when high tide is due (don’t get cut off!)
• Keep an eye on the water level throughout our visit
• Stay well back from the base of the cliffs

The beach is lovely and safe when you’re sensible about it, but the tide can catch you out if you’re not paying attention.

Accessibility

The beach has poor access for those using mobility aids. The slopes down to the beach are steep, and there’s a cluster of rocks as you step onto the beach.

Things To Do At Hunmanby Gap

Walking, paddling, and dog-friendly areas

Hunmanby Gap Beach is perfect for walking, paddling, and is dog-friendly year-round. For those who enjoy paddling, be cautious of strong currents – the water can be deceptive. Always check the tide times before you set off.

As the tide goes out, small pools of water remain dotted across the sand, providing an ideal space for younger children to play safely.

Exploring World War II fortifications

The beaches south of Filey and Bridlington were considered as potential landing grounds for a German invasion. Structures were built to protect against the threat of invasion. They remain scattered along the coast, telling stories from a time long past. You can find remnants, such as pillboxes and observation towers, near Hunmanby Gap Beach. 

There are also washed-up bunkers and anti-tank blocks on the beach, showing remnants of World War II.

Beach café with views of Filey Bay

A beach café sits just above the sands, with stunning views of Filey Bay. The café serves simple bites and sweet treats that will warm you up on chilly days. It’s outdoor seating only, but you get lovely views of the sea while you eat.

It doesn’t have toilets, so you have to use the ones in the car park. 

We had a coffee and a snack there. I had a scone with cream and jam, my son had cheesy chips, my husband had a chip butty, and my mother-in-law had a bacon sandwich. Prices are very reasonable, but we had to pay with cash. 

Our Day

We had a lovely day at the beach. After parking up, we walked down to the sand. My son loved playing in the sea and the rock pools. We walked along the beach for a while and then returned to the café for lunch. We were only there a few hours, but the beach is surprisingly big. On a hot day, it would be worth taking a picnic and settling in for the day, then popping up to the café for ice cream.

Things that weren’t so good were the parking being cash-only, only having port-a-loos at the car park for 20p use, and the cafe being cash-only.

Final Thoughts

Hunmanby Gap is one of those Yorkshire beaches that doesn’t get as crowded as Filey or Scarborough, which makes it perfect for a quieter day out. The beach is beautiful, the WWII history is interesting, and the café does a good job considering it’s quite basic.

The main thing to remember is checking the tide times before you go – it makes such a difference to your visit. And bring cash for parking and the café, as neither take cards.

If you’re looking for more Yorkshire beach days, I’ve also written guides to Filey Beach, Bridlington Beach, and Fraisthorpe Beach.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hunmanby Gap Beach 

What are the tide times at Hunmanby Gap? 

Tide times at Hunmanby Gap change daily. Check BBC Weather for Filey tide times (the nearest town) or use websites like TideTimes.org.uk. Visit 2-3 hours either side of low tide for the best beach experience with plenty of sand. 

Is there parking at Hunmanby Gap beach? 

Yes, there’s a car park right next to the beach. It costs £5 for all-day parking and is cash only, so bring coins. The car park has portable toilets (20p to use). 

Is Hunmanby Gap dog-friendly? 

Yes, Hunmanby Gap is dog-friendly all year round. Dogs are allowed on the beach with no seasonal restrictions, making it a great choice for dog owners. 

Are there toilets at Hunmanby Gap?

There are portable toilets located in the car park area. These are usually 20p to use (cash only), so keep some small change handy. There are no public toilets

Can you walk from Hunmanby Gap to Filey? 

Yes, you can walk along the beach to Filey at low tide. There’s also a clifftop path with lovely views. Check tide times before attempting the beach walk as it becomes impassable at high tide. 

Is Hunmanby Gap suitable for families with young children? 

Yes, it’s great for families. The beach has lovely rock pools when the tide goes out, and there’s a café nearby. However, the path down to the beach is quite steep, and there are rocks at the bottom, so pushchairs can be tricky. 

Are there toilets at Hunmanby Gap? 

There are portable toilets in the car park which cost 20p to use. The café doesn’t have its own toilets. 

What facilities are at Hunmanby Gap beach? 

Hunmanby Gap has a car park, portable toilets (20p), and a clifftop café with outdoor seating. Everything is cash only. The beach itself is natural with no lifeguards or other facilities.

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