Danes Dyke - Flamborough - Beacon Hill Walk--About Bridlington

Danes Dyke - Flamborough - Beacon Hill

Take a walk to the highest point on the southern headland, Beacon Hill, home to Beaker Man.
You will follow field paths, minor roads and cliff top paths, and climb some steps.

Start Point	Danes Dyke or Flamborough village
End Point	Danes Dyke or Flamborough village
Towns & Villages	Flamborough, Marton and Sewerby
Parish	Flamborough
Start Easting	521,553.00
Start Northing	469,477.00
End Easting	521,553.00
End Northing	469,477.00

Details
Circular Walk	Yes
Grade	Moderate
Ordnance Survey Explorer Map	301
Car Parking Facility	Danes Dyke
Refreshments	Cafe at Danes Dyke car park and pubs in Flamborough
Public Conveniences	Danes Dyke, Flamborough North Landing
Distance Distance(Miles)	3
Distance (Kilometres)	4.8

The Walk

Leave Danes Dyke and its birdsong along the vehicular exit road through the plantation. Leave the road by the signposted path and follow the field headlands to Flamborough village. In the last field before the village you can see earthworks. These are believed to be ancient fish ponds dating back to 1559. You can also see parts of the old medieval ridge and furrow farming system.
From the village, follow the back lanes near the church to Beacon Farm. Can you spot the unusual weather vane on the church?
Head southwards through the farmyard and then around a former gravel quarry to the cliff top. This is Beacon Hill and it has quite a history (see 'Features of Interest' below).
Make your return to Danes Dyke along the cliff top path and across the steep, stepped gully at Hartendale. Enjoy views over Bridlington Bay and the long, low coastline of Holderness. On a clear day you may even spot Withernsea lighthouse. In winter you will see the odd fishing boat and birds sheltering from northerly winds.

Features of Interest

- Evidence of Mesolithic, early Neolithic and Beaker occupation has been found in this remote high place. It was probably a good vantage point and a place to fish and catch fowl. However, why settlers didn't choose the sheltered, water-fed inlet at Danes Dyke remains a mystery!
- Part of the ground floor plan of an oval, timber-built Beaker house has been found and traces of Beaker Man are extremely rare in Great Britain. The Romans were possibly here using the high ground as a signal station, as 4th century pottery has been found and sandstone blocks similar to those at the Roman signal station at Filey unearthed during quarrying. The Romans established signal stations along the coast as threats from northern tribes and Anglo Saxon raiders increased.
- Beacon Hill takes its name from the beacons that stood there from the 16th century onwards. There were three on the headland in 1588. One was on the headland, one at the northern end of Danes Dyke and one at Beacon Hill, which still stood in 1834. They consisted of iron hoops holding iron pans and were lit to give warning of invasion, the Spaniards and their Armada being intent on a take-over. If one strange ship was sighted, one light was fired. For many strange ships, two lights were fired and for an actual invasion, all three were fired. A network of beacons existed on various high points inland to give warning to York. You lit your three pans and they shut the gates! In all, 52 beacons existed in the East Riding. After the Romans, the Vikings probably also used the high ground as a vantage point - and now you use it to admire the view. The Roman Galleys and Viking Longships have long gone, to be replaced with the sometimes raucous fishing parties with their crates of brown ale - have things changed?

Accessibility Information
This route:-

- contains some gentle slopes.
- contains stiles and steps.
- contains surfaces which can be boggy in wet weather.

Additional Information

- If you fancy refreshments, visit one of the unspoilt village inns which serve some of the best food in the area.