Cheap days out: The East Coast

By Carole Green
BBC North Yorkshire

A beach picnic is a cheaper alternative to the amusement arcades

Where do you start? The beaches on the Yorkshire coast are among the best in the country, you've got big seaside towns like Scarborough and, just a few miles away, places like Robin Hood's Bay.

Like anywhere, you could go to town on amusements, candy floss, ice-creams and kiss-me-quick hats, but if you're happy with a picnic on the beach there are so many places to choose from.

Keeping clear of the bigger resorts of Scarborough, Whitby and Filey, there are plenty of other places to go. Small, former fishing hamlets like Runswick Bay (north of Whitby) and Robin Hood's Bay (south of Whitby) are great places to explore.

Robin Hood's Bay is a great place to explore

Runswick has a huge sheltered beach, whilst Robin Hood's Bay is more rocky and a great place to go rock pooling. Filey Bay is huge - it's great for kite flying, dog walking and building sand castles. At low tide you can walk out along Filey Brigg, just north of the town. There is a nature trail to follow on the brigg.

South of Filey you can get onto the beach at places like Hunmanby Gap and Reighton Gap which, whilst still busy, are a lot quieter than elsewhere.

The walk along the old railway from Robin Hoods Bay to Ravenscar is well worthwhile and you get spectacular views as you near Ravenscar. Sandsend just north of Whitby is also a lovely place to visit with a nice beach and wonderful cliff top walk.

Enjoy a bike ride between Scarborough and Whitby

Forge Valley Woods is a national nature reserve about one mile north of East Ayton. One of the best examples of mixed deciduous woodland in north-east England, it's named after a forge which used to operate in the area. There are signposted riverside and woodland walks and a 1.5 km easy access riverside boardwalk is suitable for wheelchair users.

Peasholm Park is a tranquil haven away from the hustle and bustle of the beach, just on the North Bay in Scarborough. Opened in 1912, the gardens are based on a Japanese garden and the centre piece is the pagoda.

Peasholm Park in Scarborough has a Japanese theme

There is a lake, a woodland trail and it's a lovely spot to wander round at any time of year. During the summer there are brass band concerts, with the bands performing on the bandstand in the middle of the lake. You can hire a boat and take a turn round the lake or enjoy a cup of tea or an ice-cream in one of the cafes.

The Rotunda Museum in Scarborough is full of treasures from the 'Dinosaur Coast'. Described as the finest surviving purpose built museum of its age in the country, it was built in 1828 to a design by the 'father of English geology', William Smith. It's just been refurbished and is full of archaeological and geological delights. An annual pass, which also includes admission to Scarborough Art Gallery is only £9 and under 18's get in free.

Filey Museum reflects the town's fishing and farming heritage and admission is only a couple of pounds, it's well worth a wander round.

Whatever you're looking for it you'll find it on the wonderful Yorkshire Coast without breaking the bank.