30 Free Things To See & Do In East Yorkshire

18 January 2017

From the UK’s City of Culture 2017 to the gorgeous hills and valleys of the Yorkshire Wolds, East Yorkshire (or the East Riding of Yorkshire to give it its full title) is the perfect place for a ‘staycation’ with the family and is also home to one of our fabulous holiday parks, Bridlington Links.

And what’s more, it doesn’t have to break the bank! There are plenty of free things to see and do for the whole family in this wonderful part of the world.

Museums

Streetlife Museum of Transport

The Streetlife Museum in Hull takes you on a journey through the history of travel throughout the last 200 years and is a perfect day out for car lovers of all ages.

Take a walk down a perfectly recreated street from the 1940s. Or take a ride on a tram or carriage for an immersive jaunt through history.

Hull & East Riding Museum

The Hull & East Riding Museum features numerous immersive exhibits which will take you through the history of the region, right from the Iron Age through to the modern day, and meet the wooden warriors and their horde of real-life Viking treasure.

The Living Seas Centre

In the beautiful chalk cliffs near Flamborough Head, you’ll find the Living Seas Centre, a marine education centre where you can learn all about the local marine life, with regular family events taking place. What’s more, it’s right next to the beach!

Ferens Art Gallery

Hull is also home to its own award-winning art gallery, the Ferens, which has a number of permanent and temporary exhibitions from the present day and all the way back to the Medieval period.

Arctic Corsair

Experience life on the choppy waters of the North Sea aboard the Arctic Corsair, the only working trawler which is accessible by the public.

You can take a free guided tour and hear all about life at sea and the dangers faced by fisherman during the Cod Wars.

Hands on History Museum

The Hand of History Museum used to house the old Grammar School where William Wilberforce studied, and is the oldest secular building in the city, although it is now home to its own museum.

Here you can get a glimpse of Hull during the Victorian era and take a look through the Egyptian Gallery, featuring a 2,600-year-old mummy.

Spurn Lightship

The Spurn Lightship has a long and interesting history dating back over 80 years, and you can step aboard and learn all about it!

The ship helped ensure safe passage for mariners through the Humber estuary for 48 years and can now be visited for free, although this it is closed until April 2017.

Maritime Museum

The Maritime Museum in Hull is free admission and explains the city’s fascinating ties to the sea.

It’s found in the old Victorian Dock Offices and contains numerous artefacts such as ship models, and an impressive fully sized whale skeleton.

Wilberforce House

The birthplace of William Wilberforce has now been turned into a museum, charting the story of the transatlantic slave trade and the fight to end it, as well as offering an insight into contemporary slavery.

Old Penny Memories

For those who remember days spent playing old ‘penny arcade’ games at the seaside, this museum in Bridlington is a must-visit.

The museum houses a number of unique and fully working antique slot machines, some dating back almost a century.

East Riding Treasure House

The East Riding Treasure House is a ‘multi-disciplinary’ centre for heritage in Beverley, which is home to the town’s museum, library and archives.

It’s worth visiting even if you just head to the top of the tower for the superb views over Beverley and the Minster.

Beaches

Hornsea Beach

The sand and shingle beach at Hornsea is perfect for exploring and collecting shells and driftwood with the kids, with an award-winning promenade.

Bridlington Beach

Bridlington is a traditional family resort, with a Quality Coast award winning sandy beach, perfect for making sandcastles on a summer’s day.

Dane’s Dyke Beach

If you’re after a bridge which is more suited toward exploring and roaming rather than swimming or relaxing, heading up to Dane’s Dyke and see if you can find some fossils! Just make sure to check the tide tables and don’t get too close to the cliff edge in case of falling rocks!

Bridlington South Promenade

The promenade at the beautiful Bridlington beach features a range of attractions from children such as slides, rides and a paddling pool (some of which may charge) as well as picnic areas.

Fraisthorpe Beach

Many years ago, this beach was actually a nudist beach, but given the temperature on the east coast, thankfully this isn’t the case anymore!

Nowadays it’s a popular destination for dog walkers and is one of the few beaches where dogs are allowed all year round.

Outdoors/Nature

Bempton Cliffs

The Bempton Cliffs are one of the best places in the country to see seabirds, with over 250,000 flocking there to find a mate and raise their young.

The cliffs really come alive with nests of puffins, gannets and all kinds of seabirds. There are six safe cliff-edge viewing platforms so you can get up close and personal with them.

East Park

The East Park in Hull is the city’s largest, and considered one of the best in the country! The Grade II listed park was opened in 1887 for Victoria’s Golden Jubilee, and recently benefitted from £10 million of council funding, and now features both modern and historical attractions.

Humber Bridge

If you’re interested in architecture or perhaps just want to experience some fantastic views, why not take a stroll across the world’s longest single-span suspension bridge?

The Humber Bridge is an architectural marvel, and offers unrivalled views of the city of Hull and the surrounding areas.

Millington Dale and Warter

If you’re a keen cyclist, the area around Millington Dale makes for a beautiful ride, starting in Pocklington, heading up to the village of Huggate in the Yorkshire Wolds and through the village of Warter.

See the landscapes of David Hockney

Considered one of the most important artists working today, much of David Hockney’s work was inspired by the Yorkshire Wolds, and you can see the panoramas that he captured for yourself on a walk in the wolds.

Spurn Point

The curving spit at Spurn Point is a truly breathtaking location with its unique geography and wildlife.

The spit itself is only 50 metres wide in places, but is home to all manner of plants and animals and is one of the best places in the UK to witness bird migration.

See rare birds at Londesborough

At Londesborough Park you might be able to spot various rare birds such as Red Kites. The park itself once formed the grounds of a manor house and is now the perfect place to come whether you’re a wildlife lover or just want to come for a relaxing walk or picnic.

Humber Bridge Country Park

This 48-acre wood in Hessle has open meadows and is great for younger ones to explore and hunt for wildlife.

The park also has numerous different trails for you to explore, as well as orienteering activities and a bird feeding station.

Beverley Westwood

One of Beverly’s four pastures which is ideal for a relaxed walk is the Westwood. Found to the east of the town, the Westwood is home to the town’s racecourse and golf course and chalk from the pasture was used for the foundation of Beverly’s streets.

Hornsea Mere

Another area of note for bird watchers is Hornsea Mere, the largest freshwater lake in Yorkshire.

Due to its proximity to the North Sea, it attracts many wintering birds such as gadwalls, goldeneyes and tufted ducks.

Historic Sites

Beverley Minster

The Minster at Beverley was completed in 1425 and is one of the largest parish churches in the UK. It is one of the best examples of gothic architecture in the world.

You can also download a free self-guided tour app to your phone or tablet to find out more about this amazing building as you walk around.

Explore Hull’s ‘Old Town’

For a historic look at Hull, head to the city’s Old Town, with its cobbled streets.

For example, Ye Olde White Hart is allegedly where the English Civil War was plotted. You can also see the home of one of Hull’s most famous residents, William Wilberforce.

Walk the ‘Wilberforce Trail’

You can also choose to walk in the footsteps of the man himself, following the Wilberforce Trail, visiting important locations in Wilberforce’s fight to end the slave trade.

Holy Trinity Church

The Holy Trinity Church in Hull dates back to around 1300. It is widely believed to be one of the best examples of mediaeval brickwork in the UK, particularly in its transepts.

This church is a Grade I listed building and is also set to be granted Minster status in May 2017.

As you can see, there’s plenty to keep enjoy in this beautiful part of England for visitors of all ages, and best of all, none of it will cost you a penny.

If you are interested in a short break to East Yorkshire, why not take a look at our holiday park at Bridlington Links, with breathtaking views over the bay.

Book Your Stay in East Yorkshire

If you’re visiting East Yorkshire, be sure to check availability and book a place to stay with us here at Pure Leisure! At Bridlington Links Golf & Leisure Estate you have the perfect base to explore the local area and enjoy things to do in East Yorkshire. You can enjoy coastal views, play a relaxing game of golf along the cliff tops, or try out the luxury air conditioned gym.