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The original Chalk Tower lighthouse at Flamborough Head was built in 1669 by Sir John Clayton and is one of the oldest surviving lighthouses in England.
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The decision to build the current lighthouse was made in 1806. It was designed by Samuel Wyatt and built by John Matson of Bridlington at a cost of £8000.
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There's a fabulous view overlooking the chalk cliffs, which provide a nesting site for many seabirds including Gannets, Kittiwakes and Atlantic Puffins. There are some wooden steps down the cliffs which you can use to reach Selwicks Bay below but I gave that a miss, I don't have a head for heights at the best of times and climbing down chalk cliffs is definitely not for me.
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On the north side of the headland is Bempton Cliffs which has an RSPB reserve and visitors centre. They have Puffin Patrols between April and July where you can wander along the cliff tops with a guide learning all about these birds and hopefully see a few of them too. It sounds like a fun day out.
There's plenty of seating areas on the cliff tops and a restaurant and cafe next to the lighthouse which I was pleased to see is dog friendly. There's also an ice cream kiosk and gift shop. It's a shame the wind had got up by this time as it would have been nice to relax on the benches looking out to sea, but we'd have been in danger of being blown over the edge. We'll just have to return another day.
My husband loves lighthouses and if ever we are in the area of one he has to tour it, not like heights I wait at the bottom for him :-)
ReplyDeleteI don't blame you, I'm not a lover of heights either. It's a fabulous building though, I can't remember touring it myself, I shall have to ask my mum and dad if I did as a child.
DeleteAlthough I:m sure the view's would be worth it you would not get me at the top of the lighthouse for any am out of money! I HATE heights! I would stand at the bottom loo!ing after everybody's gear until they all came back down! Sounds like you had a great time despite the fog and wind though x
ReplyDeleteI'm the same, I have a job walking the walls in York as it gives me a funny turn. There's some fabulous views of the cliffs even without going up the lighthouse and I can keep my feet firmly on the ground.
DeleteWhat a lovely blue sky for your pictures. Not visited the lighthouse at Flamborough but went to Dungeness a few years back, around the power station and up the lighthouse - that was an enjoyable trip.
ReplyDeleteHave a good week
All the best Jan
You wouldn't think the first three photos were taken at the same time as the last one, would you? It had been hazy all day with a bit of a breeze but by the time we got to Flamborough it was blowing a gale and a mist was coming in.
DeleteLove lighthouses, love to paint them, but not climb them. Like you I have no head for heights.
ReplyDeleteThey're a bit like a beacon drawing people to them, when in actual fact they should be warning people away. I don't know what it is about them.
DeleteIt sounds like it was a wonderful outing! I love lighthouses, and the view of the chalk cliffs from that one is amazing.
ReplyDeleteThere's some beautiful views from Flamborough Head, it's a shame it was a little murky when we were there as we didn't get the full effect.
DeleteIt's somewhere I've always wanted to visit but twice when I was hoping to go the weather was terrible so didn't. I'd have to give the wooden steps down the cliffs a miss nowadays if I did go. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame the weather didn't cooperate for your visits, I'm sure it's a place you'd really enjoy. There's actually a warning on the steps telling walkers to take care, that's enough to keep me well away from them.
DeleteDid you go down to South Landing? I have happy memories from down there, there is a ramp to the bottom (so no steps) but it's a steep hike back to the carpark at the top (maybe this is where you parked?).
ReplyDeleteIt was rather late in the day by the time we arrived at Flamborough Head so it was a case of having a quick wander around the lighthouse and that was it. I'd like to return again soon though as the village itself is lovely too. We used to have a family friend who lived there.
DeleteIt looks like a beautiful place to visit, the views from the lighthouse must be incredible although I don't fancy climbing the stairs! xx
ReplyDeleteThe views from the cliffs are amazing so they must be fantastic from the lighthouse. I'm with you on climbing those stairs though.
DeleteBeautiful view!
ReplyDeleteIt really is. I want to return on a clear day, the view must be fantastic then.
DeleteI really love lighthouses. I've been to a few around the northeastern part of the US. I've never seen any from the seventeenth century, though! How interesting. Just one more thing I'm going to add to the burgeoning list of things I want to see when I visit there someday. :)
ReplyDeleteWe're lucky to have so much history in this country, though it's very easy to forget how lucky we are and take things for granted. The octagonal chalk tower was designed to have a brushwood or coal fire burning on the top though they don't think a fire was ever lit because voluntary dues from passing sailors were inadequate to fund the lighthouse. The chalk tower was restored in 1996. I hope you manage to get over here and cross some of the things you want to see off your list.
DeleteWhat a lovely day out you must have had. Of course Hubby has been to Flamborough Head, but I haven't. Thanks for the pics and information, which I find so interesting. Take care.
ReplyDeleteFlamborough is a place to put on your list for when you're over here again, it's an interesting place but the village itself is lovely too, and it isn't all that far from Scarborough.
DeleteAnother place on the coast that's on my wish list when the weather is suitable. Maybe we ought to just go and hope for the best whatever the weather is like first thing in the morning as it's sure to change half way through the day?!
ReplyDeleteThat's usually the case with the weather. There's some lovely views though so a clear day would be preferable for the best effect. The fog horn was sounding while we were there, we'd left it a bit late in the day for a visit, but we enjoyed it just the same.
DeleteI like looking at lighthouses but unfortunately they are usually in (my opinion) scary situations. I don't like heights either.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. They seem to draw people to them whereas they're supposed to have the opposite effect. I'd like to conquer my fear and make it to the top, I bet there's some fantastic views.
DeleteI'd have given the cliff stairs a miss too. I don't like heights much either and my heart would've been in my mouth with the kids near the edge! I like lighthouses though, they are fascinating. It looks like a good day out. xx
ReplyDeleteBelieve me, it doesn't get any easier once they're older. I'm forever telling them the stay away from the edge and they just roll their eyes at me.
DeleteI would have been standing with you at the top of the cliffs (well, quite a few yards back) as I don't do heights and stairs!!
ReplyDeletehttp://frayedattheedge.typepad.co.uk
Cliff edges are another no no for me, I think I just see the danger in everything.
DeleteIt was incredibly windy this weekend...but I et the views were spectacular. Jx
ReplyDeleteThe views would have been better without the haze but they were still pretty good. I need to make a return visit on a clear day.
DeleteLooks good. I love a coast walk. You'll have to go back when the weather's calmer and show us inside that lighthouse.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right. I'm going to have to bite the bullet, take control of the fear and climb those 119 stairs.
DeleteWalking up those steps would keep you fit! I'm with you, no head for heights so I'd be quite happy to stay at the cafe. A lovely destination for another day out.
ReplyDeleteLisa x
It's somewhere we'll definitely return to, I'd like to conquer my fear and climb the lighthouse, I bet it's a wonderful view. I'll make sure that we visit on a clear day next time though.
DeleteI went here the Easter I was 11. I still probably have the postcard somewhere!
ReplyDeleteIt's worth a return visit. I have very few things from when I was 11, I've never really been sentimental like that but I wish I had been now.
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