subject: Hunmanby And The Surrounding Area [print this page] Hunmanby is a small village on the boarders of the Yorkshire Wolds overlooking beautiful farmlands and across to the coastal resort at Filey. The village was once on the main route between Bridlington and Scarborough. The White Swan Pub, in the centre of Hunmanby's historic Market Place, has been a popular place for visitors to stop for a drink and meal since the time when coaches were the main form of transportation. This is still a traditional English pub serving the village. Hunmanby Hall was for many years a private boarding school for girls. Since its closure it has been converted into a sports and leisure centre with holiday cottages attached. The facilities and parklands are available for use by visitors as well as guests. There are parkland walks, a 9-hole golf course, full gym, tennis academy and children's activities.
The scenery and farmlands offer plenty of opportunity to get out and about into the countryside but there are plenty of places worth visiting nearby. Here are details of some of them:
Rudston Monolith can be found near All Saints Church in Rudston. This whole area is believed to have Neolithic roots with Bronze and Iron Age graves and a chariot burial unearthed by a landslide in 1907. The Monolith is the tallest standing stone in Britain and it is believed that there is as much of the stone still buried as there is showing. The purpose and/or origin of the monolith are subject of much speculation. Was it just left by an ancient glacier or was it put in this spot on purpose if so what was that purpose?
Flamborough Head is between Bridlington and Filey and offers beautiful scenery. Incorporated within this headland are some areas of special note such as Bempton Cliff and Danes Dyke.
Bempton Cliffs is a RSPB nature reserve and the white chalk cliffs offer lots of nooks and crannies for the birds to nest in. There are walkways along the cliffs and enclosed observation areas. Atlantic Puffins, Kittiwakes and Gannets can all be seen here throughout most of the year. Cruises around this area can be taken from the north pier at Bridlington Harbour.
Danes Dyke was recognised as a place of special interest and listed as a Local Nature Reserve in 2002. The combination of woodland and coastline make this an interesting and peaceful place to spend a day walking and enjoying nature.
The ruins of Scarborough Castle are another historic place well worth taking the time to visit during your stay. If you happen to be there during the school holidays, or occasionally at other times of the year, there are events organised suitable for the family. The history of the castle includes a covert role in World War II.
Whitby Abbey was founded in 657AD probably on the site of a previous Roman settlement. It had a stormy history falling to the Vikings in 867AD and lying abandoned until 1078 when it was rebuilt. Henry VIII destroyed the resurrected monastery in 1540 and it has been falling into ruins ever since.
Hunmanby and the surrounding area will not leave you bored!
