Set on the delightful North Yorkshire coast, Filey is a top spot for a traditional seaside getaway in the UK. Amble along the gorgeous promenade, soaking up the sunshine while admiring the elegant Edwardian architecture.
Round off your busy days with a meal in one of the fabulous eateries, or tuck into a hearty portion of fish and chips as you breathe in the invigorating sea air. With dog-friendly beaches including most of Filey Beach and all of Cayton Bay, there’s oodles of space to explore with your pup too.
Families will love Filey for its child-friendly attractions, not least Filey Bird Garden and Animal Park and the nearby Scarborough Fair Collection. But what if the weather isn’t playing ball? Not to worry, while there’s much fun to be had outside, there’s lots of choice when it comes to indoor things to do in Filey too. With plenty of things to do in Filey – the fun starts here!
Cottages in Filey
Skip to:
Things to do in Filey with a dog
Four-legged friends will love the freedom and fresh sea air that a holiday in Filey brings. From sniffing out new smells on the dog-friendly beaches, to taking long walks through awe-inspiring scenery, you won’t be short of dog-friendly adventures in Filey.
Play fetch on a dog-friendly beach
A long stretch of Filey Beach is dog-friendly all year round; only the section between the sea wall at Royal Parade and the beach slipway (which separates Coble Landing from the promenade) is out of bounds in summer, leaving miles of sand for zoomies and fetch! The beach leads on to dog-friendly Hunmanby Gap, and then Reighton Sands, making for a lovely long walk for active pets and their owners.
North-west of Filey, Cayton Bay is dog friendly year-round, offering up a pretty, unspoilt beach which is family friendly and perfect for an evening of picnicking and sandcastle building. Other dog-friendly beaches near Filey include Danes Dyke, Fraisthorpe Beach and Mappleton Sands, or take a look at our article on the best dog-friendly beaches in Yorkshire.
Enjoy interesting Filey walks
For that first walk in the morning, it doesn’t get much better than an amble along dog-friendly Filey Brigg. The handsome headland juts out into the ocean at the north end of Filey, affording spectacular views and the opportunity to spot dolphins and maybe even whales if you’re lucky!
Filey Brigg marks the end of the Cleveland Way, which you can follow backwards along the coastline for as long as you have the energy. The whole path is 109 miles and takes in the spectacular coast between Saltburn and Filey, as well as the stunning countryside of the North York Moors from its starting point in Helmsley.
A more sedate perambulation can be enjoyed along Filey’s promenade, perfect for older dogs who like a level walk with lots of stops. There are so many Filey walks to choose from, you could embark on a different one each day of your holiday!
Things to do in Filey for families
Sunny days spent on the beach are sure to be the highlight of your family holiday in Filey, but there are also lots of lovely family-friendly days out to add to your itinerary.
A day out at Filey Bird Garden and Animal Park
One of the most popular things to do in Filey for families, Filey Bird Garden and Animal Park welcomes visitors to meet their resident critters across their 5-acre park.
Meerkats, tortoises, wallabies, sheep, alpacas, ponies and pigs are just some of the friendly animals that call the place home. A selection of gardens, a woodland trail and a play area add to the family fun, and the café will keep you fed and watered during your time here.
Burn off some energy at Playdale Farm Park
Packed with all the things children love best, Playdale Farm Park is a place that keeps every family member happy. Whether your little ones prefer petting cute farm animals and cuddly creatures or racing around indoor and outdoor play areas, there’s plenty to keep them occupied.
Special events are organised throughout the year and keep your eyes peeled for what’s going on at the farm during the school holidays.
Discover the awe-inspiring Scarborough Fair Collection
A dazzling collection of vintage cars, steam engines, old fairground rides and mechanical organs creates a fabulous sense of nostalgia at the Scarborough Fair Collection.
Children will be delighted by the colours, sounds and old-fashioned thrills of these fairground favourites, and you can all find out more about the collection in the museum section.
Things to do at Filey Beach
Filey Beach is long and sandy, backed by a pleasant promenade at the town end, but wild and rugged once you leave civilisation behind. See our guide to Filey Beach for more information, or check out our blog on things to do with kids in Yorkshire for more activities across the region.
Splash about at Filey paddling pool
This little gem on Filey seafront is a modest and shallow pool, but it provides hours of fun for children. Supervising parents can sit back and look on as the kids splash about and make friends in the seafront pool.
It’s perfect for little ones who don’t like to get too sandy, and great to cool off on hot summer days. What’s more, it’s free!
Family fun on the seafront
Challenge each other to a mini-golf tournament at Ocean Drive Crazy Golf, and in the summer, treat the children to some thrills and spills at Cobble Landings Funfair. Set up along the seafront, there are a range of rides and experiences to choose from, including trampolines, water zorbs, a games kiosk and a dizzying Jumping Jack ride.
Right at the north end of the promenade, Holdsworth Amusements promises an hour or so of indoor fun, flashing lights and jarring jingles, keeping the kids happy when the weather’s not kind.
Spend a day at the beach
Pack the beach chairs, towels, swimming gear and suncream and head on down to the beach to camp out for a day of traditional seaside fun. The sand is ripe for sandcastle building, and the sea offers an inviting way to cool off on a hot summer’s day. At the north end of the beach are some interesting rock pools to explore.
RNLI lifeguards patrol the beach daily from the end of May to September, and numerous water sports can be enjoyed here. Learn to surf with local business, Scarborough Surf School, or try your hand at paddleboarding, coasteering and kayaking with Bay Water Sports. Numerous beaches are within driving distance of Filey for a day trip - take a look at our article on 10 of the best beaches in Yorkshire for more inspiration.
Admire the artwork along Filey Beach Sculpture Trail
Dotted along the seafront promenade are a number of sculptures inspired by Filey’s natural heritage. A steel fisherman towers over passers-by, while a giant lobster brightens up the mini-golf (which, as an aside, is a pleasant activity for a dry afternoon). A recent addition to the seafront sculpture collection is a metalwork seal designed as a recycling depository for plastic bottles.
Things to do in Filey at night
When the sun sinks below the horizon, and the beachgoers pack up and head off along the promenade, Filey still has lots in store for you. Whether it’s a relaxed meal in one of the town’s eateries or an evening of music and the arts, there’s even more fun to be had after sunset.
Tuck into a top-notch meal in one of Filey’s restaurants
There are eateries to suit all tastes in Filey – in fact, you could dine in a different restaurant every night of the week! If you’ve got a hankering for the flavours of Italy, try San Marco, which strives to give the full Mediterranean experience. Or if you’d prefer fish and chips in the fresh air, stop by Inghams Fish Restaurant to pick up a portion of deep-fried deliciousness. The Glasshouse at Charlotte’s offers beautifully presented food in elegant surroundings, washed down by mouthwatering cocktails.
For a fusion of delicious spiced dishes, Monsoon Indian Cuisine is the place to dine, or if a taste of the Orient is what you’re craving, Golden Dragon Chinese Restaurant and Takeaway won’t disappoint. Take a look at our top restaurants and places to eat in Yorkshire for more choices further afield.
Head for one of Filey’s pubs or cocktail bars
When the night is young, there’s no place better to get the drinks in than the Boat Shed, a fabulous cocktail bar that was built around the owners’ love of gin! With pizzas and sharing dishes on the menu too, there’s really no reason to leave.
If you’d prefer a tipple in a more traditional setting, you’ll be spoilt for choice, with the Belle Vue, Bonhommes Bar, Cobblers Arms and the Buccaneer just a few of the pubs vying for your custom.
Enjoy an evening of entertainment at Filey Evron Centre
Filey Evron Centre is an intimate venue which has a packed programme of events, ranging from music and cabaret to educational talks. The concert hall has a capacity for 120 people, and it’s a much-loved Filey institution.
There are also daytime events here throughout the year, including craft festivals, food festivals and more.
Things to do in Filey in the rain
While the characterful seaside town is undoubtedly at its best in the sunshine, there are plenty of things to do in Filey in the rain!
Go back in time at Filey Museum
Proclaiming itself to be ‘probably the best small museum anywhere’, Filey Museum is confident in delivering its visitors a memorable experience. The museum is open seasonally, so if your trip coincides with its opening times, don’t miss out on delving into Filey’s fascinating past.
Spread over two floors, exhibitions relay stories of Victorian Filey, local rural crafts, the lifeboats, Filey’s geology and biology, and photographs by Victorian photographer, Walter Fisher. A small charge of £2.50 for adults makes this a great value way to while away a couple of hours when you’re looking for things to do in Filey in the rain.
Browse the shops in Filey
Spend a pleasant couple of hours dipping in and out of Filey’s selection of independent shops, where you can buy a new outfit for an evening out, or some beautiful, handcrafted souvenirs to take home with you. Dig out something interesting in Antiques and Home and stop for a cuppa and cake in the back of the shop while you’re at it.
Pick up some new artwork for your walls in one of the town’s galleries (try Ga11ery Eleven and Seagull Gallery and Ebbing Tide), or treat the children to a new toy or some sweets – you’ll find it all while wandering through Filey’s bustling streets.
Stop for refreshment in one of Filey’s cafes
If there’s one thing Filey’s not short of, it’s cafes. Everywhere you turn, you’ll find a welcoming tearoom, ready to serve you up a steaming cup of your favourite hot beverage, accompanied by something deliciously sweet or savoury.
There are too many to mention them all by name, but The Pines Coffee Lounge and Diner, Thirty Coffee Shop and Eatery, and The Lighthouse Tearoom are good places to start. And by the time you’ve enjoyed a freshly baked treat or a delicious light lunch, maybe the rain will have stopped!
Other things to do in Filey
We’ve covered a lot of ground already when it comes to things to do in Filey, but this lovely Yorkshire town has plenty more to give! Here are a few more ideas if you’re still looking for days out in Filey.
Play a round at Filey Golf Club
Filey Golf Club welcomes visiting golfers to enjoy its pleasant seaside course. You can sign up for the Ultimate Golf Experience which includes breakfast, a warm-up on the practice range, a round on the Academy Course, lunch, and then a round on the 18-hole course, rounded off with a two-course meal in the restaurant (and all for £60-£70!).
If you’d prefer to just book a tee time and turn up, you can select your time online, and there are friendly competitions you can join throughout the week. If that all sounds too serious, nearby Filey Pitch and Putt and Foot Golf offers an entertaining alternative for families and friends (seasonal opening).
Wildlife watching at Filey Dams Nature Reserve
Filey Dams Nature Reserve is a haven for animals and nature lovers alike. A peaceful freshwater marsh, it attracts migratory birds and offers habitats for small mammals, amphibians and an array of fauna.
Free to enter, the 6-acre nature reserve has permissive footpaths and a boardwalk to three bird hides, making for a lovely, leisurely hour or so in the fresh air. Frequently spotted bird species include greenshank, dunlin and sandpipers, and sometimes spoonbills and little egrets make an appearance, as well as many other birds.
Stroll through Crescent Gardens
It’s likely that you’ll naturally take in these beautiful gardens on your trip, but if you haven’t already come across them, head towards the south end of Filey’s promenade.
The colourful planting and lovely views across the bay are often complemented in summer by brass bands playing in the bandstand, and the sound of happy families aiming for a hole-in-one on the putting green.
Enjoy the simple pleasures of Glen Gardens
Glen Gardens is just beyond Crescent Gardens at the very southern end of Filey’s promenade. Here, you’ll find a lovely, open children’s play area, and plenty of space to have a kick about with a football or stretch your legs with a morning run.
Get your coffee fix at Glen Gardens Cafe, and enjoy some good old-fashioned fun on the boating lake.
Map of things to do in Filey
Find all of the above things to do in Filey on our handy map.
Take a cottage break in Filey
If you ‘do like to be beside the seaside’, Filey is a lovely place to put down temporary roots for exploring the Yorkshire coast and countryside. With lots of things to do in Filey itself, and plenty more to discover in the surrounding area, you won’t be short of days out to fill your holiday itinerary.
Our holiday cottages in Filey offer the perfect base for recharging your batteries and making the most of time to relax in between your Yorkshire adventures. Family-friendly abodes, properties that welcome dogs, cute hideaways for two and large houses for special gatherings, you’ll find them all among our collection.
Cottages in Filey