Car Parking: South Landing
 

The South Landing area was designated a Local Nature Reserve in the spring of 2002. This signals the East Riding of Yorkshire Council's commitment to nature conservation and access to the countryside to the wider community, and will help provide better access and promote educational opportunities.

From the car park, walk down the slope to the foreshore. Not all that long ago, local fishermen had boats at North and South Landings and sailed from either, depending on winds and tides. Both had lifeboats but the one at South Landing ceased in 1938. The first boat at South Landing was the "St. Michael's Paddington" and was 33 feet long by 8 feet wide. This open boat had 10 oarsmen, 2 coxswain and a bowman. It also needed 10- 12 men to launch it and haul it back again. Just go at low tide and imagine how hard that could be, especially in a force 9 winter's gale! This was replaced by the "Mathew Middlewood" which saved over 100 lives and then, in 1933, by the "Hannah MacDonald".

South Landing was a port in medieval times and in l537, the Duke of Norfolk informed Thomas Cromwell it was safer than Bridlington. The importance of the port can be judged in 1544 when Henry VIII mounted his Scottish Expedition. The tonnage of ships from Flamborough was 140 tons, only 20 tons less than those from Bridlington.

Today fishing and pleasure craft can be seen, as well as the local lifeboat keeping the waters safe.

Along the cliff top, the view is over Bridlington Bay and the walk is to Beacon Hill.

The bay once saw Roman Galleys, Angle Invaders and Viking longboats. Lookouts on the hill also watched for "visits" by the Spanish with their Armada and Napoleon was also expected. The American privateer John Paul Jones sailed past and Dutch privateers were often seen daily, harrying the boats in the bay. In 1666, three Dutch Warships attempted a landing but were driven off when every gun and musket was brought to bear.

The rich history of the bay is left at Beacon Hill as you walk along a path, then track, to Flamborough Village. Have a stroll along the old lanes to the church, which is well worth a visit. This area is one of the oldest in Flamborough and "Ogle's Cottage" is said to be the oldest house. John Ogle helped the local fishermen in their dispute about paying tithes. Up to the dissolution in 1537, tithes were paid by fishermen to the church for its upkeep and to help the poor. After dissolution, the Crown granted tithes to various people who could sell them. John Ogle appealed on behalf of the fishermen to this unjust practice and a compromise was reached. Unfortunately, John died in London after catching gaol fever, which apparently lots of people caught after attending a court of law! His body was brought back in a cobble by a man named Cross, a name still common in Flamborough today.

Enjoy your wander round Flamborough before returning to South Landing.