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Navigation: To Do - Heritage Trail.

South Landing Heritage / Sculpture Trail

Type: Easy / Moderate chalk paths.
Length: 1 mile (1.6km) approx.
Car Park: South Landing (pay & display).
Facilities: Toilets, picnic area and Cafe.

The walk starts from the car park and down to the gate at the bottom right. This is where the heritage trail starts. The sculptures and historical artefacts were created or collected by local community youth group called the 'Young Roots'. There are many items around the trail, which all relate to Flamborough's history and make the walk all the more enjoyable. The group have also produced a booklet called 'Unlocking Flamborough's Treasure' which is available for sale, and explains the detail behind each item. The booklet also contains stories of life from the older generations of Flamborians and can be obtained through this website.

Once you reach the gate there is a newly constructed wide chalk path, which leads off in the right direction. To your left is an anchor with a brass plate and to your right an old sea mine (unarmed). The path runs along the edge of a steep natural gully and through an avenue of young trees. After a few hundred meters you will pass the burial stone on your right and come out to the open picnic area. The picnic area contains the tree sculpture and what should have been the superstitions stone circle. These were polished rocks with local superstitions sand blasted onto them, but some thoughtful person liked them so much they were stolen!

Just past the tree sculpture you re-enter a wooded area and immediately to your right is the bird viewing and feeding station, which is masked with willow screens. Continue down the path looking out for the willow sculptures on your right. You will then come across the 'Bridging the Gap' bridge. The design for this again came from the 'Young Roots' group who also found the £25,000 funding to put it in place. It replaced an old wooden bridge, which was condemned and has created a local talking point. The bridge is in the shape of a whale skeleton (as whales have washed up at Flamborough) and has the names of local fishing cobles on one-side and whale names on the other. Cross the bridge and the path then forks.

The choice is yours whether to bear left or right as the walk from here is circular. For the purposes of this article we will bear left. The path then zig-zags up a slight incline and continues until you reach an immediate right. On this corner a large house is visible called Cliff House Farm. It used to be called 'The Timoneer' when it was a pub, but is now a private residence. The path is now long a straight and passes in between two fields. The field to your right normally contains grazing sheep. Approximately half way up this section you will come across one of the six benches on the trail. Either side of this are two rum barrels, which have been carved from a tree trunk. The backs of the benches along the trail are in the pattern of the long sword. Cut into them are the names of the Flamborough families who have been involved with the Flamborough sword dance over the years. Continue to the next corner, which again bears right.

At this corner you cannot fail to miss the impressive totem pole. This again has been carved from a tree (which washed up) and the more you look at it the more you see. Approximately half way up this section is the Caterpillar Track Wavey Bench. This provides a good place to sit and watch the butterflies in summer. Continue to the next corner, but mind the brambles here and bear left. Follow the path until it forks once more. If you bear left you join the cliff top path to the lighthouse, but that's another walk. At this point you will find the 'Lighthouse Sculpture', which is a stone built tower containing individual stone sculptures. A steel plate on the back contains some local history. Bear right past the bramble bushes and you are now on the cliff top path. Care must be taken on this section as the path is close to the cliff edge in places.

The views of Bridlington Bay along this section are spectacular, bringing you to the viewing point. Here you will find the Flamborough Longsword Dance Lock. Behind it is a bench, which allows you to look through the lock. Bear right again and past the steps, which lead down to the beach. A little open area here provides a picnic area and the two donkey sculptures. Unfortunately the donkeys keep losing their tails as they are popular with children who like to climb on them - a job they were not designed for. Continuing on the path once again enters the wooded area along the other edge of the gully. Keep a sharp look out for the 'White Lady' on your left. On your right you will pass the Rope Nest with Eggs. The eggs have been hand crafted with cement layers; notice the speckled effect. The path leads you back to the bridge and back to the start point. Enjoy this walk.

Script and pictures by:
Simon Robson.

This website has been set up by Flamborough Community Environmental Action Group with funding through:

English Nature and The Shell Better Britain Campaign.