RSPB Bempton Cliffs in East Yorkshire is one of the most spectacular wildlife experiences in the UK. Towering chalk cliffs, thousands of seabirds, and on a clear day, views that make the drive entirely worth it.
I visited in mid-late July and came away with some of my favourite photographs. But timing matters at Bempton, and if puffins are top of your list there are some things worth knowing before you go.
What you’ll see in July 🐦
July is still a brilliant time to visit but the colony is winding down compared to peak season. Gannets are very much still present and absolutely magnificent, huge, dramatic birds that seem entirely unbothered by visitors. Gannet chicks are visible in July too, ridiculously fluffy and completely charming 😄
Guillemots and razorbills are also still around in good numbers earlier in the month.
Puffins are the trickier story. By mid July many have already headed back out to sea, and by late July sightings become increasingly rare. If puffins are your priority, aim for May or June when the colony is at its busiest and puffins are reliably visible from the clifftop viewpoints 💙
Accessibility at Bempton Cliffs ♿
Bempton is genuinely one of the more accessible RSPB reserves and that matters to me enormously as a disabled visitor 👇
- The main car park is close to the visitor centre with disabled parking available
- Tramper mobility scooters are available to hire at the reserve, but availability is limited so booking in advance is strongly recommended. Check directly with RSPB Bempton before your visit to arrange this.
- The clifftop path to the main viewpoints is largely flat and surfaced
- Multiple viewpoints and plenty of benches mean you can stop as often as needed and still see plenty
- The visitor centre has accessible facilities
- You don’t need to walk the full length of the path to get great views and photographs, the first couple of viewpoints are excellent
That said, the path does have some uneven sections and can be exposed and windy, so check the weather and pace yourself. I always plan a rest day after Bempton 😊
One thing worth knowing whatever your mobility level ☀️
Bempton is very exposed clifftop with virtually no shade at all. On a hot sunny day this can be genuinely challenging, bring sun cream, a hat, and plenty of water. I’d actually recommend an overcast day for both comfort and photography, the soft light is much kinder on white feathers than harsh sunshine, and you’ll last a lot longer without baking 😄
Photography at Bempton 📸
I shot these images on my Nikon D500 with the Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary. The D500’s crop sensor gives an effective 900mm reach at the long end which sounds extreme but at Bempton you’ll use every bit of it for birds in flight, and then find yourself wishing for more 😄
The gannets nest right on the cliff edge so you can get surprisingly close portraits without any zoom at all. The puffins tend to be further along the path and more skittish, which is where the reach really earns its place.
Tips for photography at Bempton Cliffs 👇
- Visit early morning for the best light and smaller crowds
- The wind can be significant on the clifftop so a monopod helps enormously with stability
- Shoot in continuous autofocus for birds in flight, the D500 handles this brilliantly
- Don’t just focus on the obvious shots, the gannet chicks and social interactions between birds tell a brilliant story
- Overcast days actually work well here, soft light and no harsh shadows on white feathers
Would I go back? 💙
Every single year if I can manage it, I have been four times already. Bempton is one of those places that feels genuinely restorative. The noise, the movement, the smell of the sea (I am going to skip talking about the smell of droppings of half a million birds…). It’s wonderful.
If you’re thinking about going, aim for late May or early June for the full experience including puffins. July is still absolutely worth it, just adjust your expectations and let the gannets steal the show 🐦
Shot on Nikon D500 with Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary. Both available second hand via the affiliate link below 📷 #ad