Beautiful UK beach where dinosaurs once roamed is just 2 miles from famous town

Avoid the droves of tourists with this 'hidden' pirate cove that was once a popular stomping ground for dinosaurs. If and crystal-clear waters don't quite do it for you - perhaps dramatic cliffs, a fossil-filled beach and a mysterious sinking ship will.

Located just 1.8 miles (around a 10-minute drive) from the insatiably , Saltwick Bay attracts significantly fewer tourists throughout the year - despite being a great family day out. In fact, if you head there early, there's a chance you'll have the entire bay to yourself.

Expect to find ammonites and belemnites, and if you're lucky even real-life dinosaur footprints embedded in the rocks. The Admiral Von Tromp vessel, which sank back in 1976, is still visible at low tide.

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In a statement sent to the , CEO of Matthew Fox branded Saltwick Bay as one of Yorkshire's best 'hidden gems'. "For families with adventurous kids, it's a dream day trip from Whitby - and if you pack a picnic, it's the perfect budget-friendly option," he said.

The travel ace argued you don't need to spend money on entry tickets to have fun, adding: "The beach is packed with fossil finds, real dinosaur prints, and a swashbuckling shipwreck. Whether your child is more Jurassic Park or Jack Sparrow, this is the perfect beach for adventure-minded children. Make sure Saltwick Bay is on your Yorkshire coastal itinerary this spring!"

Taking to Tripadvisor, one thrilled traveller wrote: "AMAZING fossil-hunting beach 10 minutes from Whitby. Beautiful, and my boys found plenty of fossils in their two-hour search. Highly recommended," while another added: "Within minutes, our children had found a fossil just lying on the pebbled beach by the rocks." However, make sure you check the tide times before visiting - and be prepared for the steep path that takes you down onto the shore.

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Saltwick Bay is just over 250 miles from London, meaning you'll need to prepare for a 5-hour and 18-minute car drive. Alternatively, you can get the train up to Whitby (which cuts half an hour off the journey) and then hop in a taxi over to Saltwick Bay. However, this usually involves at least one stopover and can be expensive. For example, a single adult fare on Friday, April 25 costs £71.50.

Staying in Saltwick Bay itself may prove difficult, unless you're willing to cosy up next to a T-rex on the beach. However, Whitby is full of hotels, cottages, and B&Bs which suit a wide range of budgets - although prices will increase during peak seasons.

For example, a weekend's stay (Friday, April 25 - 27) at will cost you £221 (including breakfast), based on two adults sharing. However, staying in a more will set you back £957 on the exact same dates,

*Prices based on Trainline and Booking.com listings at the time of writing.

What's your favourite staycation destination? Let us know in the comments section below