Filey on the Yorkshire coast is a beautiful and tranquil seaside town that boasts a stunning five-mile-long beach and a fascinating piece of WWI history but is often overlooked
A delightful coastal gem, Filey, remains one of the UK’s most underrated spots despite its magnificent five-mile beach and hidden remnants of WWI submarines.
Tucked along Yorkshire’s coastline, the small town of Filey is often overshadowed by its famous neighbours, Scarborough and Whitby. But since 1806, Filey has carved its niche as a tranquil retreat from the more bustling tourist destinations.
Its crowning glory is the vast expanse of beach – a glorious stretch of golden sands extending over five miles that becomes a quarter-mile wide playground at low tide, perfect for games and sandcastle-building exploits.
Rock pools scattered across the sandy landscape provide endless fascination for budding explorers while the continued practice of local fishermen, who use traditional “coble” boats to mend and cast their nets, pays homage to Filey’s rich fishing heritage.
The seafront promenade is lined with artwork celebrating local wildlife, especially the diverse bird species nesting at the nearby nature reserve, reports the Express.
Dog owners should note that from May 1 to September 30 there are restrictions on dog walking, although pooches are welcomed on other sections of the beach throughout the whole year.
In 2018, Filey’s outstanding beach was honoured by the Sunday Times as the Beach of the Year and it still holds the title as one of Britain’s most overlooked treasures.
One of the area’s fascinating features is the wreckage of a WWI submarine near the beach’s northern headland. In 1921, the former British Naval submarine G3 broke free while being towed for scrapping and ended up drifting into the cliffs.
This incident piqued local curiosity and even resulted in a young lad appearing in Scarborough Children’s Court for having a brass screw from the submarine. He was among several children suspected of pilfering from the sub and was fined a shilling.
The colossal 187-foot long, 693-ton submarine eventually came to rest beneath Buckton cliffs, bow first, where it partially remains today.
