RSPB Bempton Cliffs – Boosting Tourism in East Yorkshire

More than just Puffins

RSPB Bempton Cliffs, one of the top visitor attractions in Yorkshire, has seen significant growth in visitor numbers following support from Invest East Yorkshire Business Support Services Team.

As a leading wildlife attraction in Yorkshire, Bempton Cliffs attracts thousands of visitors each year—particularly during Puffin season. However, like many tourism businesses in East Yorkshire, this flagship nature reserve wanted to extend its visitor season and increase year-round footfall. And in 2025 visitor numbers reached an all-time high.

Through Invest East Yorkshire’s business support programme, RSPB Bempton accessed:

• A UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) grant to support targeted advertising across regional media and social platforms, helping to position Bempton Cliffs further as a year-round must-visit destination in East Yorkshire.
• Free social media workshops
• Ongoing business advice.

Dave O Hara, Reserve Manager, said:

“Thanks to Invest East Yorkshire, we were able to invest in marketing RSPB Bempton Cliffs as a year-round visitor attraction, increasing visits in the shoulder seasons, so spreading visitor numbers across the year.  This contributed to an amazing year for visitor numbers, our highest on record.”

The results highlight the importance of ongoing development of a business’s marketing messages, with Bempton seeing:

• 135,561 visitors in 2025 – an 18% increase on 2024
• Increased seasonal employment opportunities
• Estimated £17,500 increase in revenue.
• A desire to re-connect with nature bringing more visitors to the reserve

Councillor Nick Coultish, portfolio holder for Culture, Leisure, Tourism and Planning at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said:

“It is great to see that from new marketing activities, Bempton Cliffs has been able to increase its visibility and start to increase its tourism season.  As one of the region’s key visitor attractions, this success demonstrates how targeted funding has the potential to generate wider economic impact—supporting not just one organisation, but an entire local supply chain, with the opportunity for accommodation providers, restaurants and other independent businesses to benefit from the increase in visitors to the region.”

Reserve Visitor Experience Manager, Poppy Rummery, believes the word is now simply getting out that Bempton is a must-see visitor attraction on any trip to Yorkshire, where visitors can be sure of the warmest of Yorkshire welcomes.   Scott Davison-Smith, Commercial Operations Manager, said:

“We’re delighted with these visitor numbers. People are realising that getting away from their smart phones and computer screens is a brilliant way to relax and that nature can be so restorative.  They just want to re-connect with nature and what better way to do it than visit the only place in Yorkshire where you can see this amazing seabird spectacle.  And receiving a 90% score from VisitEngland’s annual quality assessment is the icing on the cake.

Bempton’s internationally important seabird population means it has special protection. It is both a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and its European importance is recognised in its designation as a Special Protection Area (SPA) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).  It is renowned for its Puffin colony, but it is also the only mainland breeding colony of Gannets in England”.

As well as the nature reserve, Bempton has a Visitor Centre, shop and café (serving bird friendly coffee of course) and has increased its range of events for the summer season.  2025 marked the tenth anniversary of the opening of the Visitor Centre.

Part of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Invest East Yorkshire’s Business Support Services team works closely with businesses to help them grow and develop, and to access funding where available.

If you’re launching or growing a business and want to explore support or grant eligibility, visit: www.investeastyorkshire.co.uk/business-support

This support was delivered through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), funded by the UK Government.