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Family escape to The Bay

Back in 1977 when I was far younger – nay, just a teenager even – I went on a school trip to Germany.

After an interminable coach journey we eventually went over a hill and there was the slow-moving Rhine spread out before us in all its meandering glory with castles perched on the hillsides.

At that point one of the kids claimed: “Eeeh, it’s just like Filey.” Of course, it was nothing like Filey and he was ripped to shreds for claiming it was, but it was one of those statements that stuck and made me smile once again as we approached Filey. The real Filey this time.

I’d not been for years, but vaguely remembered a steep road down to the cobbles and a small park on the front. This time we were going to a new holiday development called The Bay a couple of miles outside Filey on the road to Bridlington and right next to the sprawling Primrose Valley caravan park.

It’s what is called “a work in progress.” It already has dozens of newly-built homes there. More are to come along with a swimming pool and spa and should be finished by this time next year.

The mix of one-bedroomed apartments up to four-bedroom homes are designed in a kind of fishing village meets quaint town kind of a way with wide boulevards, cul-de-sacs and all mod cons thrown in. The houses all seem different from red brick through to pink, white and creams with rustic roofs, red roofs and traditional grey stone slate roofs.

It’s got it’s own pub the John Paul Jones that’s big on food – quite literally – a coffee shop, small shop and a castle-design walk-through next to the pub that will lead to the leisure complex when it’s built. The food includes the expected pub fare in large dimensions such as steaks, fish pie, steak pie, chicken and leek pie followed by apple pie, Belgian waffles and sticky toffee pudding. A lot of pie. Customer service is at the top of their tick list.

But the best bit about The Bay is that the developers very cleverly put in a smooth tarmac road from it to the beach. It means you can drive down and park a couple of minutes walk from the sand and the cliff-side there has been turned into parkland with it’s own small fishing pond set above the sea.

It’s a very private affair and a jovial security guard is always on duty to make sure it stays that way.

And once on the sandy beach – none of your pebble seafronts here – it’s as though you own it. Few people were around even though the temperatures soared into the 70s.

You’ve enough space to stretch out and play a family games of rounders – and when the tide is out enough space to play you own private 11-a-side soccer match. OK, when we went for the weekend we were incredibly lucky with the weather with blue skies all the way. But the homes have enough in them for the more usual Yorkshire metrological twins of wind and rain. Flatscreen TVs, DVD and CD players, modern kitchens with dishwashers, microwaves and a washing machine, a master bedroom with en-suite and a walk-in wardrobe you could get lost in. Well, you could if you’re four years old.

In short, it’s an escape zone and all the homes are up for sale so can be bought and then let out.

So, back to my newfound fascination with Filey.

You can easily walk from The Bay to Filey itself along a sweeping stretch of super-wide sand – if the tide is out. Filey is a pocket-sized version of other resorts along the east coast which, let’s face it, is far more dramatic than the west coast. We found the best fish and chip shop in the town – Inghams – and fed a family of six for around £30. The small fish are huge. The specials need a special team to lift them onto the plate. Yes, it’s that kind of place and with large kids meals costing £4 is reasonable. Down by the cobbles there is a single amusement arcade concentrating on taking your 2ps in those money waterfall games. Give the kids a pound to change and they thought it was brilliant ... until they lost it all. A tough lesson in the sunshine on the reality of gambling.

Then off to Filey Brigg – its imposing headline at the end of the bay – firstly at the foot of the cliff exploring rockpools before driving up to the country park at the top which gives a magnificent view of the bay and a memorable stroll along with headland. So you don’t have to travel far – under 100 miles and around a 2½ drive – to escape the hustle and bustle of our Huddersfield world for a tranquil seaside relaxation.

Once you’ve arrived you don’t have to turn a wheel of your car again.

And the weather doesn’t even need to be that glorious.