Introduction
Hayburn Wyke Waterfall is one of those waterfalls that feels very different from most others you will visit in England. Hidden within a wooded coastal valley on the North Yorkshire coast, the waterfall tumbles down the rocks onto the beach at Hayburn Wyke, creating a beautiful setting where woodland, waterfall and sea all meet.
The waterfall is found in a secluded rocky cove between Scarborough and Whitby, with the beach backed by steep, wooded slopes. The combination of the waterfall flowing towards the sea, the rugged rocks and the sound of the waves makes Hayburn Wyke a particularly atmospheric place to visit. There are two waterfalls here, with the double waterfall becoming more noticeable after periods of rain.
In this guide, I’ll show you how to get to Hayburn Wyke Waterfall, what to expect when you visit and whether I think this unusual coastal waterfall is worth seeing.
Quick Verdict of Hayburn Wyke Waterfall
Hayburn Wyke is definitely one for the waterfall bucket list. The fact that the waterfall reaches the beach makes it unusual enough to stand out, but it is the setting that really makes this place special.
I love the combination of the wooded valley, rocky beach and waterfall, with the sea just beyond it. It feels peaceful and tucked away, despite being on the popular Yorkshire coast.
Key Information
- Waterfall Height: Approximately 3.5 metres/11 feet
- Waterfall Type: Cascade/double cascade
- Starting Point: Car park detailed below
- Parking: £1-£5 parking at Hayburn Wyke Inn Car Park | what3words finds.fantastic.propelled
- Public Transport: Bus available to Hayburn Beck Farm, approximately 1 mile from the waterfall
- Walk: Approximately 1 mile/1.6 km return
- Time: 15 minutes to the waterfall. Allow 1 hour
- Difficulty: Easy – Moderate (Steep sections through the woodland)
- Accessibility: Not suitable for wheelchairs
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Dogs: Yes
- Swimming: Yes
- Toilets: Yes
Where to Park for Hayburn Wyke Waterfall
There is a pay-and-display car park next to the Hayburn Wyke Inn, close to the start of the walk to the waterfall. Parking costs between £1 and £5 depending on how long you stay, with the maximum charge being £5 for the day.
One of the nice things about parking here is that the cost can be refunded if you spend £20 or more in the pub. We stopped at the Hayburn Wyke Inn after our walk for a roast dinner, so this worked really well for us.
Tip: Save the parking location and route directions on your phone, or take a printed copy with you, as phone signal can be spotty.
Hayburn Wyke Waterfall Walk
Exit the car park and you will see a sign pointing towards the pub in one direction and the waterfall in the other. Follow the track to the right, which takes you across a field and through a gate.
Once through the gate, you will enter the woodland. Take the path to the left that gradually descends down through the trees, keeping to the main path until you reach a small bridge.
About halfway along the route, you will come across a gap in the trees on the right, next to a really interesting rock. As Harry Potter fans, my partner and I couldn’t resist stopping for a photo of the lightning bolt that had been carved into the rock.
Just beyond the rock, there is a lovely viewpoint where you can look out across Hayburn Wyke beach and the sea. It’s a beautiful spot to stop and take in the views, but take care as there are no barriers. Keep children close and don’t get too near the edge.
Continue along the main route, heading downhill, until you reach the small bridge. Take the path down to the right, away from the bridge, which leads towards the beach. You can’t see the waterfall from the top of the path, so it stays hidden from view until you reach the bottom. As the beach finally comes into sight, the waterfall is suddenly revealed, making it a lovely surprise when you reach the bottom.
The walk down is quite steep in places, with plenty of large natural steps and rocks to navigate. We passed a few people who had turned around because they found the route too difficult, so it is worth being aware that this isn’t the easiest walk. However, if you take your time, go steadily and are comfortable walking on uneven ground, it is perfectly doable. The return journey is uphill, so keep this in mind when deciding whether the walk is suitable for you.
Accessibility: Unfortunately, this route is not suitable for wheelchairs.
Hayburn Wyke Waterfall
Hayburn Wyke Waterfall is a really unusual waterfall, as Hayburn Beck tumbles down through the wooded valley before reaching the rocky beach below. What makes it even more special is that there can be two waterfalls here, with the water splitting as it drops over the rocks. After periods of heavier rainfall, the double waterfall becomes particularly impressive.
As you come down through the woodland and the beach finally opens out in front of you, the waterfall makes a fantastic first impression. The water cascading over the rocks, surrounded by mossy woodland and dramatic coastal cliffs, before reaching the beach is such an unusual combination. You can stand on the pebbles below and see the waterfall with the sea just beyond it, which is not something you get to experience with many waterfalls in the UK.
The rocky cove gives Hayburn Wyke a wonderfully wild and secluded feel too. With the wooded slopes rising around the beach and the sound of the waterfall mixing with the waves, it feels like a completely different world from the busier Yorkshire coast nearby.
The amount of water flowing over the falls will depend on recent rainfall, so the waterfall can look quite different from one visit to the next. When we visited, the second waterfall to the right was just a trickle. However, after plenty of rain, you may be lucky enough to see the impressive double waterfall in full flow.
Swimming at Hayburn Wyke Waterfall
There is a small pool beneath Hayburn Wyke Waterfall which is deep enough for a dip, and the waterfall has been used as a wild swimming spot. However, it is more suited to a quick dip than a proper swim.
The tide is important to consider when visiting. When I visited, the tide was out and the sea had receded well away from the waterfall, leaving plenty of the rocky beach exposed. At high tide, the sea comes much further into the cove and there is much less beach left, so access around the waterfall can be more difficult.
The rocks around the waterfall and beach can be very slippery, so take care when getting into the pool. The water can also be cold, and conditions around the coast can change quickly, so check the tide times and weather before visiting.
If you’re considering swimming here, please read my Wild Swimming at Waterfalls guide before getting in. It covers some of the risks to consider and practical advice for staying safe around natural swimming spots.
Interesting Facts and Wildlife
Hayburn Wyke is more than just a beautiful waterfall and beach. The wooded valley is home to a variety of wildlife, including roe deer, foxes and badgers, while more than 30 species of breeding birds have been recorded here. Keep an eye out among the trees for great spotted and green woodpeckers, and in spring and summer you may also spot birds such as redstarts and blackcaps.
The woodland itself has an interesting history. Many of the original oak, ash and beech trees were felled during the Second World War, but the woodland has since been restored, with native trees encouraged to return. The trees twisted by the sea winds give the walk down to the beach a really atmospheric feel.
Down on the beach, the wildlife changes completely. When the tide goes out, the rocky shore reveals rock pools containing creatures such as blennies, butterfish, limpets, periwinkles, mussels and crabs. Hayburn Wyke is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of its geological and biological importance, with the rocks around the beach containing an important Jurassic fossil plant bed.
The combination of woodland, waterfall, rocky beach and rock pools means there is plenty to look out for at Hayburn Wyke, even after you’ve finished admiring the waterfall.
Facilities and Nearby Attractions
There are no toilets or other visitor facilities down at Hayburn Wyke beach itself, so it is worth coming prepared. The Hayburn Wyke Inn is close to the start of the route and is a great place to stop for food or a drink after your walk. We stopped at the pub after our walk and had an amazing roast dinner, which was the perfect way to finish our visit.
The Cleveland Way also passes through Hayburn Wyke, so you can extend your walk along the Yorkshire coast if you want to explore more of the area. Ravenscar is nearby and is worth visiting for its dramatic coastal scenery, while Scarborough and Whitby are both within easy driving distance, making Hayburn Wyke a great addition to a wider day exploring the North Yorkshire coast.
Best Time to Visit Hayburn Wyke Waterfall
Hayburn Wyke is worth visiting throughout the year, but autumn and winter can be particularly good times to see the waterfall with a stronger flow. The waterfall depends on recent rainfall, so visiting after a spell of wet weather can make a big difference to how much water is coming over the falls.
We visited in October and thought it was a lovely time to go. The woodland was starting to take on its autumn colours, which made the walk down to the beach particularly pretty, and the cooler weather suited the coastal setting.
Spring and summer can be lovely too, especially if you want to enjoy the beach and woodland in warmer weather, although the waterfall may have less water after a dry spell.
I’d also recommend checking the tide times before your visit. Although you can still reach the waterfall when the tide is in, there is much less beach exposed and the cove looks very different. A visit around low tide gives you more of the rocky beach to explore.
Responsible Waterfall Visiting and Safety
Please visit waterfalls responsibly.
Waterfalls can be beautiful places to explore, but they can also be unpredictable. Rocks, paths and viewing areas can become extremely slippery, especially after wet weather. Water levels and river conditions can change quickly, so always use common sense and take extra care around fast flowing water, steep drops and uneven ground.
Please follow the Countryside Code, leave no trace of your visit and take all litter home with you. Respect local communities, livestock, wildlife and any access restrictions that may be in place.
Before visiting, check local conditions and remember that you are responsible for your own safety.
I’ve put together a collection of practical resources to help you plan and enjoy your waterfall trips. From what to pack and how to find new waterfalls to wild swimming safety, you can browse all of my waterfall resources here.
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