Cycle route from Cayton Village Club site

Jonathan Manning enjoys the best of both world on this route through the peaceful surroundings of the North Yorkshire Wolds and visits the coast at Hunmanby Gap.

It’s a wrench to leave the cafe at Hunmanby Gap, where clifftop tables overlook an epic sweep of of beach. The view across five miles of sand, from Filey down to Reighton (as well as the coffee and cake!) are just a few of the highlights of this ride through the North Yorkshire Wolds from Cayton Village Club site.

It offers a chance to dip your toes in the North Sea, before pedalling through the rolling chalk hills and valleys of the wonderful Wolds. The route follows National Cycle Routes 1 and 166 (Yorkshire Wolds Cycle Route), taking advantage of the quietest roads in the area to explore the pretty countryside. 

It’s a peaceful rural landscape of grazing pasture and arable crops, and it’s worth paying attention to any barley you see growing in the fields. Much of the harvest goes to two very appealing local businesses: the Spirit of Yorkshire distillery, in Hunmanby, produces  whisky from barley grown on its own farm; and  Wold Top Brewery creates award-winning beers using its own home grown barley.

The route passes the gateways to each drinks  producers and both offer guided (pre-booked)  tours along with a shop selling their wares, so whatever your tipple there’s a chance to raise a glass at the end of the ride. 

You can also download the route for this ride from our dedicated Strava page here. 

Directions

1 From Cayton Village Club site turn right and at the end of the road turn left, signposted to Filey. In 90m turn right on to Station Road. Continue on this road to Folkton to reach a T-junction. 

2 4.4km – Turn left at the T-junction, following National Cycle Route 1, and in 550m turn right signposted to Hunmanby and Bridlington. Continue into Hunmanby, go straight over a small roundabout, and in 100m look out for a turn on the left. 

3 9.2km – Turn left, following the sign for Bridlington National Cycle Route 1 and to Filey. Continue downhill for 600m, passing the Horseshoe Inn on the left, then turn right along Sheepdyke Lane, passing Pinfold Nursing homeon the right. Continue to a T-junction. 

4 10.7km – Turn left at the T-junction, following the sign for Yorkshire Wolds Way 1. Continue for 1.2km to a large roundabout and take the second exit, signposted to Reighton and Hunmanby Gap. Turn left immediately after the roundabout, signposted to Hunmanby Gap only, and continue to the beach (and café). Then retrace the route back to the T-junction. 

5 14.6km – Turn left at the T-junction, signposted to Reighton. Continue for 1.8km into Reighton, then turn right on St Helen’s Lane, passing the red phone box on the left. Continue under a bridge to reach an offset crossroads. 

6 17km – Turn right at the crossroads, and continue for 1.9km, crossing the railway line and then reaching a roundabout. 

7 19.8k – Turn left at the roundabout, along New Road, signposted to Burton Fleming, Wold Newton and Driffield. Continue for almost 4km to reach a crossroads. 

8 23.7k – Turn right at the crossroads, signposted to Fordon. In Fordon, turn right to Flixton and Scarborough. Continue for 5km to reach a T-junction with the A1039. 

9 31.2k – Just before the T-junction turn right on to Back Lane, and in 500m turn right on to the A1039. Continue for 1km into Folkton, then turn left, signposted to Folkton and Clayton. Stay on this road for 4km to reach a T-junction in Clayton. Turn left at the junction and then right along Mill Lane to return to the Club site. 

About the route

• Start/finish: Cayton Village Club site, Mill Lane, Cayton Bay, Scarborough YO11 3NN. 
• Distance: 23 miles/36.8km. 
• Time: 3 hours. 
• Level: Fitter cyclists and e-bike riders – some of the hills are long and steep. 
• Terrain: Asphalt all the way. 
• Landscape: Pretty Wolds countryside plus the fabulous beach at Hunmanby Gap. 
• Refreshments: Excellent seasonal café at Hunmanby Gap; Foxhound Inn, Flixton.