Bempton Cliffs, on the Yorkshire coast just north of Flamborough Head, is one of the UK’s best mainland sites for seabird watching. Managed by the RSPB, these towering chalk cliffs stretch for miles and provide safe nesting ledges for over half a million seabirds during the breeding season. From April to July, puffins nest in the grassy tops and crevices, offering regular sightings from well-positioned viewing platforms.

A series of accessible trails leads along the clifftop, with six dedicated viewpoints overlooking the bustling colonies below. Puffins can often be spotted among crowds of gannets, guillemots, kittiwakes, and razorbills, especially when they return with sand eels for their chicks. RSPB staff and volunteers are often on hand with scopes and tips to help visitors make the most of their time.

There’s a large car park, a visitor centre, toilets, and a café, making it an easy and family-friendly place to spend a few hours. The cliffs are spectacular in all seasons, but for puffin lovers, a visit in late spring or early summer offers the best chance to see them up close, with sea views and seabird calls all around.