ABOUT BRIDLINGTON
BRIDLINGTON or Burlington as it used to be called, derives its name from an Angle named Bretel who settled in Old Town and called it Bretelston. The town is situated in the Eastern part of the Dickering Wapentake, now known less romantically as the Borough of East Yorkshire. The county was divided into Wapentakes in 1166 in the Danelaw, and Dickering most probably derives from the Old English words “dica-hring” meaning dyke circle, one of which was at Paddock Hill, Thwing, where a court meeting place was thought to have been.
The town used to be in two separate sections which were not joined together as they are now. The old market town, a mile inland, built around the Priory and the Bridlington Quay, which is the harbour at the mouth of the Gypsey Race, a meandering stream which winds its way through the villages and historically supplied water plus water power to many areas.
The cliffs of boulder clay and sand erode very quickly. It has been estimated that south of the harbour the cliffs receded 230 yards between 1805 and 1885, but north of the harbour they only receded 30 yards between 1771 and 1852 as the cliffs here become chalk towards Sewerby. The 20th century sea walls have prevented further erosion, but along the coast houses and roads are still disappearing into the sea, as you will see if you walk along some of the beaches to the north and south.
You will not find better self catering accommodation in the town than The Magpe Nest. Situated away from the hustle and bustle of the sea front and the town centre, it is located not far from the spectacular Priory Church, which is in the area known as the Old Town. This is where Bridlington started. To find out more about The Magpie Nest Apartment just click on the accommodation link at the top of this page. A warm welcome awaits!