All About Filey

Located on the North Yorkshire coast, 8 miles south of Scarborough, lies a small coastal town with a beach that stretches for miles. To help you plan your visit, here are some of the most asked questions about Filey.

Some Frequently asked questions about Filey.

Can I walk around Filey?

Filey is a compact town and is flat in most areas, with gentle slopes and easy‑to‑navigate streets, so you can explore most of what it has to offer on foot. The heart of the town is Murray Street, offering independent shops, cafés and bakeries. From here, you can choose to walk to The Crescent, which is lined with the beautiful Crescent gardens overlooking the sea. With rows of benches, there will always be a seat nearby for you.

Take the descent down Crescent Hill, where at the bottom you’ll meet the promenade with access onto the beach. The promenade runs the full length of the bay, giving you a relaxed, scenic route with uninterrupted sea views. Reaching Filey Brigg is also manageable on foot, with several paths leading up to the top for those who enjoy a slightly more challenging walk.

What are the big events in Filey?

Filey hosts several popular events throughout the year, each bringing its own charm to this small seaside town. Perhaps one of the most loved is the Filey Food Festival, usually held four times a year in Crescent Gardens. It features a mix of global flavours, indulgent sweet treats, and locally crafted spirits and ales.

Another favourite is Filey Kite Festival, which takes place on the Brigg during the summer months. Huge, colourful kites fill the sky, dancing in the wind, and you’ll often find food stalls and plenty of family entertainment alongside the displays.

More annual events include Filey Folk Festival which celebrates a variety of music styles and performers each year. Filey is also home to the Trackrod Rally Yorkshire, a major motorsport event that draws in thousands of visitors each year.  For further events in Filey visit our 'What's on' pages 

What are the best walks to do from Filey?

Filey is no doubt one of the best places to start your walking adventures, with some of the most breath-taking routes on the Yorkshire Coast, so be sure to pack your camera!

The Cleveland Way national trail can be picked up at Filey Brigg and starting here follow the path north up the coastline towards Cayton Bay, Scarborough and Whitby. You can also join the King Charles III England Coast Path which, if heading north, runs along the same route as the Cleveland way or south takes you towards Flamborough Head and Bridlington, offering dramatic clifftop views along the way.

For those who enjoy a long‑distance hike, both the Centenary Way and national trail The Yorkshire Wolds Way begin (or end) in Filey, taking you deep into the countryside. If you prefer something gentler, Filey beach - a 5 mile stretch of uninterrupted golden sands is perfect for slow, easy walks. Also great for young families is a permanent sculpture trail all along Filey's seafront which is great for keeping those little feet going whilst enjoying the views across the bay.

Are dogs allowed on the beach at Filey?

Yes, dogs are allowed on Filey Beach, but there are seasonal restrictions in place from 1 May to 30 September each year. During this period, dogs are not permitted on the main stretch of beach directly in front of the promenade. This is clearly signposted at all access points.

Outside the restricted zone, there is still plenty of dog friendly beach to enjoy, dogs are welcome north towards Filey Brigg and south towards Hunmanby Gap. Most of the beach remains dog friendly year-round, with only a small central section affected by the summer ban. From 1 October to 30 April, dogs are allowed on all areas of Filey Beach with no restrictions.

For more information visit our Filey pages