Flamborough Head
OS grid reference:- TA 154 755-TA 200 685
Flamborough Head with its gleaming white chalk cliffs which drop sheer into the North Sea, is situated between the Filey and Bridlington bays on the east Yorkshire coastline. The cliffs at Flamborough Head are designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest for both geological and biological significance.
The headland is one of the most spectacular areas of chalk cliffs in Britain, it is is 8 miles (13 km) long, as well as its distinctive white cliffs, there are coves, sea caves and stacks along the coastline. Flamborough Head has two standing lighthouse towers on its cliffs, the oldest dating from 1669 and Flamborough Head Lighthouse which was built in 1806. The lighthouse was built by John Matson of Bridlington and is 85 feet tall. The lamp mechanism rotates constantly on a bed of mercury.
The name Flamborough is thought to be derive from a word meaning "the place of the flame". Other sources claim that it derives from "Flaneberg", possibly from the Saxon "Flaen" meaning a dart, which the shape of the headland resembles. The huge bank and ditch earthwork of Danes Dyke divides the Flamborough Head peninsula from the mainland. The exact date of the construction of the dyke is not certain, while some date it to the Iron Age, other sources suggest similarities to post-Roman earthworks.
The coastal village of Flamborough stands on headland The village lies around 4 miles (6 km) to the north-east of the popular coastal resort town of Bridlington. It is thought to have been originally settled over 1,100 years ago by Vikings, it is mentioned as "Fleneburg" in the Domesday Survey of 1086. Prior to this, there was a Roman presence, which is evidenced by Beacon Hill, once the site of a Roman signal station.
Wildlife at Flamborough Head- Bempton Cliffs Nature Reserve
Flamborough Head is one of the most important seabird colonies in Europe. A variety of seabirds including gulls, fulmars, razorbills, northern gannets, auks, kittiwakes and Atlantic puffins nest on the cliffs.
Bempton Cliffs, which lies on the north side of Flamborough Head, has an RSPB reserve and visitor centre which provides guided walks of the area. From April to August, the cliffs are alive with nest-building adults or young chicks. Visitors may watch the birdlife from safe cliff-edge viewing platforms. Inside the seabird centre is an exhibition area, with large TV screens screening live images from the cliffs.
Bempton Cliffs stretch for about 6 miles (10 km) from Flamborough Head northwards towards Filey and soar to over 100 metres (330 feet) high in places.
The cliffs are home to the only mainland breeding colony of gannets in England, while around 10% of Britain's population of kittiwakes also nest there. The Atlantic puffins at Bempton Cliffs tend to nest in rock crevices, whereas burrows are used at most British sites.
The chalk grassland, especially in Holmes Gut, is rich in flowers attracting butterflies and a number of uncommon moths. In Holmes there is an area of gorse scrub which attracts breeding linnet and yellowhammer.
The base of the steps into Holmes has a profusion of wildflowers. including bird's-foot trefoil, common spotted orchids and pyramidal orchids (pictured right) . Along the cliff edge there is a beautiful show of delicate pink thrift in the springtime and occasionally Northern marsh orchid can bloom in profusion. At Thornwick the two reed beds, though small, host reed warbler, sedge warbler and reed bunting.