My recent jaunts to the breathtaking Yorkshire coast have been spoiled by dismal weather, so it was a joy to see the sun shining brightly over Scarborough as I headed towards the town’s lesser-known ‘hidden’ beach.

Joined by my Labrador, Scooby, we embarked on our journey to Cayton Bay, a  dog-friendly beach that operates all year round. Nestled between Filey and Scarborough, this scenic bay was named one of Britain’s best beaches in 2024 – a title we were keen to explore.

After a two-hour drive, a delightful visit to Filey Bird Garden and Animal Park, a quick snack at The Coffee Shed, and shelling out £4 for parking, it was finally time to let Scooby off the leash. Despite its reputation as a ‘dream destination’, getting to the beach was a bit of a challenge due to the steep and slippery descent.

Keeping balance was a struggle, and judging by the red faces and heavy panting of other visitors trying to climb back up, I wasn’t the only one feeling this way. The thought of the return trip to the car park seemed even more intimidating.

However, this didn’t put off Scooby, who was gleefully chasing a ball down the slope, narrowly avoiding collisions with other beachgoers. It took us about 10 minutes to reach the actual beach, during which I swapped my trainers for crocs to prevent the damage my previous pair endured on a trip to Redcar.

Despite the initial hiccups, the serene golden sands made me feel worlds away from the harsh North Sea. If not for the chilly wind, I could have easily mistaken it for an exotic location.

It’s no wonder some dub it as North Yorkshire’s hidden beach, as reported Teesside Live, given its position nestled behind hills. I spent hours strolling across the sand, playing fetch with Scooby and savouring the sea.

The beach’s appeal to dog walkers and young families was clear. With climbing rocks at one end and miles of sand and sea extending along the coast, it had it all.

The weather was idyllic, and one could easily mistake it for a foreign locale. But as I neared the steps at the other end of the beach, I spotted something large and grey.

At first, I assumed it was a rock, but upon closer examination, I realised it was a seal. I promptly leashed my dog.

Regrettably, after taking a few moments to inspect it more closely, I realised the seal was dead. A touching note from a visitor read ‘RIP – Mr Seal, love ya’.

At the Salty Dog Coffee Shack, I learned from the staff that this was the second seal found dead this week. While such incidents are not uncommon, two deaths in such quick succession is unusual.

Despite the poignant sight casting a slight pall over the day, my trip to Cayton Bay was an absolute delight. Even our dog Scooby appeared to have had a blast, as indicated by his loud snoring in the back of the car on our ride home and on the couch the following day.

Cayton Bay is undoubtedly one of North Yorkshire’s most stunning beaches and its best-kept secret. I’m keen to bring more family members here to experience this idyllic spot.