Mermaid Hole

The Mermaid Hole is a sea cave tucked into the cliffs near Bridlington, and it's one of those places that's more about the walk to find it than the cave itself. You'll need to head down to the shore at Flamborough Head - the chalk cliffs here are proper dramatic, and the cave sits at the base where the waves do their work. It's the sort of spot that gets better the lower the tide, so timing matters. At high tide you'll struggle to get close; catch it right and you can actually explore inside a bit.

The name comes from an old legend about a mermaid, naturally, though these days it's mostly a curiosity for walkers tackling the Yorkshire coast path rather than a major draw on its own. Kids might find it exciting for five minutes, but there's not much to do once you're there - it's really a photo stop and a reason to spend an afternoon on the cliffs. The real appeal is the walk itself: the coastal path around Flamborough is excellent, with proper views across the North Sea.

You won't need more than an hour if you're just visiting the cave. Get yourself booked into Haven Thornwick Bay or one of the other caravan parks around Bridlington - they're close enough that you can make this a morning adventure before heading back for lunch. Best visit when the weather's decent, obviously, since you're exposed on those cliffs. It's free to access, though you'll want proper footwear and an eye on tide tables.