Puffins at Bempton Cliffs: When to Visit and What to See

Bempton Cliffs is one of the best places in England to see puffins. You can see them here, though they're smaller and trickier to spot than many first-time visitors expect. The season runs from mid-April to late July, with May and June usually the best months to visit. But puffins are only part of what makes this place special. Half a million seabirds nest along these cliffs each summer, from gannets and guillemots to razorbills and kittiwakes.

We visited in June after hearing so much about Bempton from other birdwatchers. We booked a long weekend in Bridlington (or Brid, as the locals call it), full of high expectations. And as excited as I was to see the puffins, I couldn't ignore the feeling in my stomach. Cliff edges and I are not the best of friends. I've had balance issues for years, and in the week before the trip, I'd started imagining myself toppling over into the cold North Sea.

What it's like to visit Bempton Cliffs

Thankfully, when we arrived and showed our RSPB membership cards at the visitor centre, I could breathe again. The paths were well fenced, and six viewing platforms overhang the cliffs, offering absolutely breathtaking views, all without ever feeling unsafe.

Each platform had a designated space for wheelchair users, thoughtfully positioned so everyone could enjoy the spectacle. And often, a friendly ranger was nearby with a telescope, happy to help us find the birds.

You'd think a puffin would be easy to spot with its bright beak and feet, but they're surprisingly well-camouflaged among the light and shadow of the rocks. Having that extra help made all the difference.

Dogs are welcome too, as long as they're on a short lead. We saw quite a few wagging tails along the trail. It's a lovely place to walk together, with plenty of space to explore (or sniff every blade of grass, if you're a spaniel).

And soon, I was focused on something far more important than my fears: half a million seabirds filling the cliffs with life.

Puffins

The Atlantic Puffin was the real draw for me. But where were they? 'There's a Sea Parrot' exclaimed a man nearby. He was pointing to the side of the cliff, so I focused my lens on it, using it as a telescope. My first puffin.

They were there all along. I just needed to look a little closer.

Some call them Clowns of the Sea – bright orange feet, comical waddles, and those rainbow-coloured bills. Even with my longest lens, it was too far for a crisp shot. And truth be told, that lens wasn't the sharpest anyway.

So the next day I switched to my 70-200mm f/2.8 with the 2x extender. On the Canon 7D Mark II, it still allowed autofocus – and it was much sharper. The results? Not perfect. But better. And the joy of watching them? Unmatched.

What's worth bringing to Bempton Cliffs

You don't need specialist camera gear to enjoy Bempton Cliffs. The viewing platforms bring you close enough to enjoy the birds well, and a phone can still help you keep a record of the day.

If you have binoculars, they're one of the most useful things to bring. The birds are often further away than you'd expect, and puffins especially can be surprisingly tricky to spot among the rocks. A small, lightweight pair (like 8x32s) is perfect. And if you forget yours, the visitor centre sometimes has binoculars available to hire.

If you enjoy photography, here's the kit I brought on my first visit:

It was far from ideal. But it got me started. When we came back the following year, I was better prepared.

Northern Gannets

By far the largest seabird at Bempton Cliffs is the Northern Gannet, striking in white with black wing tips and pale golden heads. They glided past us effortlessly before dropping down to greet their partners on the nests.

Some carried seaweed gifts. Others touched beaks in what looked like gentle celebration. This is England's largest mainland gannet colony. I was completely enchanted. And took hundreds of photos!

Up close, the gannets' courtship becomes even more touching, gentle nuzzles, sky-blue eyes, and feathers brushed by trust

You don't quite expect the sound of it, thousands of birds squabbling, calling, flapping. And the smell? Let's just say not having a sense of smell is a bit of a superpower at Bempton! Still, the sights were worth every second. And some of the details surprised me:

• Green stripes on their feet
• Sky-blue rings around their eyes

I would have loved to take some diving shots, but we didn't manage a boat trip this time.

Guillemots and razorbills

Tucked among the cliffs were razorbills and guillemots, smartly dressed in black and white. They look quite similar at first glance, but there are clues:

• Razorbills have thick, blunt beaks with a white line across the tip
• Guillemots have slimmer, more pointed beaks, and their feathers are really dark brown, not black

Both are members of the auk family, along with the puffin.

Perched on the tiniest ledge, the guillemots shift and shuffle. No nest, just balance

A razorbill on a sunlit ledge. All curve and contrast, carved for the cliffs

They pack in tightly along narrow cliff ledges. Instead of nests, they lay a single egg directly on the rock. The egg is pointed at one end, said to roll in a tight circle rather than off the edge. The razorbills made me smile.

They reminded me of penguins: stocky, flat-headed, with white bellies and black backs. And when they lay down, their tails point up making them look like a banana! Their chicks, not even three weeks old, leap from the cliffs to the sea, sometimes bouncing off rocks on the way. A risky start, but they're built for it.

The Kittiwake

Among all the seabird noise, one sound stood out: the distinctive 'kitti-wake!' cry. These medium-sized gulls have yellow beaks, white heads, grey wings, and a tail dipped in black. They were the only birds we saw on eggs.

This species is in serious decline in the UK, placing them on the conservation red list. Kittiwakes nest here between February and August. For the rest of the year, they're out at sea.

Fulmars

We saw a few birds that looked like gulls: white heads, grey wings, yellow beaks. But then we noticed the odd little tube on top of the beak. A Fulmar! Don't get too close... they're known to spit. And it smells awful!

Smaller Birds at RSPB Bempton Cliffs

Bempton isn't just about the cliffs. Near the visitor centre, we spotted Tree Sparrows, with chestnut caps and cheek spots. A male Linnet perched quietly along the hedgerow. And then... a streak of green zipped past us.

Surprise sightings

I took two quick shots. Later, over coffee, we zoomed in, and there it was: A Parakeet! Most likely an escapee, like the budgie someone had rescued the week before.

Tips for your visit

We loved our visit so much, we returned the following year. You can read about that visit here.

Thanks for coming along with me. If you ever get the chance, do go. It's wild, and loud, and wonderful. And maybe, just maybe, a puffin will look back at you.

Where to go next

Planning more birdwatching trips?

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About the Author

I'm a wildlife photographer who learns on everyday walks. This site is my field notebook: practical photo tips, gentle ID help, and walk ideas to help you see more, wherever you are. I write for people who care about doing this ethically, who want to enjoy the outing (not stress about the gear), and who'd like to come home with photos that match the memory, or at least the quiet satisfaction of time well spent.

Read more about me