Flamborough Head (SSSI)
Location and Access Information
Grid Reference: TA 170570 to TA 200687
High Stacks sea arch cut into
Upper Cretaceous chalk.
Flamborough Head forms a prominent promontory jutting into the North Sea to the north-east of Bridlington. The high cliff section can be accessed at Thornwick Nab on the north side of the Head, where car parking is available, or good views can be obtained from the lighthouse at the eastern end of the promontory. The southern side can be accessed to the east of Sewerby, with car parking available at TA 215694.
View the site map on Nature on the Map
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Geological Interest
The spectacular cliffs of Flamborough Head and Bempton provide exposure of the Upper Cretaceous Chalk., deposited 70-90 million years ago. This almost pure limestone was laid down in a warm, sub-tropical sea and contains the fossils of sea-urchins, brachiopods and bivalves. The highest chalk cliffs in Britain are at Bempton, their height perhaps reflecting the fact that the Chalk in this area is much harder than the Chalk of southern Britain. A common feature of the Chalk sequence is the presence of marl bands. These are calcareous clays, containing between 50 % and 80 % non-calcareous material, some of which can be shown to be the remains of volcanic ash falls.
