British History
Bridlington

Learn more about the history and heritage of beautiful Bridlington in East Yorkshire. British history through the ages....

Although it might not seem it at first glance, Bridlington is actually a very ancient town, dating all the way back to prehistoric times.

Don't worry, this isn't a big old history lesson... just a few of the most interesting and most important events in the life of the town...

Prehistoric Bridlington

• There is evidence that people lived around Bridlington over 3,000 years ago.
• Bronze Age arrow heads have been found in prehistoric man-made earthworks - a long 'dyke' called 'Dane's Dyke' at Flamborough, near Bridlington.
• The whole area seems to have been an important area in prehistoric times. In the Yorkshire Wolds, a little further afield, archaeologists have found:
  • a chariot burial
  • tumuli
• Nearby Rudston has the 'Rudston Monolith', which stands in the churchyard.
  
  

  

  
  
  
  • It is Britain's tallest monolith (25ft 9")
  • It was part of ritual ceremonies performed by Neolithic/Bronze Age man (over 3,000 years ago).

Roman Bridlington in British History

• Roman finds have been discovered in and around the town (dating from around 2,000 years ago):
  • a woman's skeleton with a bronze arm band
  • a Roman urn
  • Roman roads
• 3 mosaic pavements were found at Rudston.

Dark Ages to Middle Ages in British History

• When the Romans left East Yorkshire (and Britain), the Bridlington area was attacked by:
  • Picts
  • Scots
  • Saxons
• Angles arrived and settled here. King Ida landed at Sewerby in 557AD. You can see this commemorated in the Anglian cememtery in Sewerby village.
• The Viking Invasion and subsequent settlement was very heavy in this area. Many Vikings settled at Flamborough, which has often been known as 'Little Denmark'.









• Many place names in the area show the strong Viking influence around here.
• The Domesday Book shows that the land around Bridlington, in 1066, was governed by 3 powerful Anglo-Scandinavians:
  • Morcar
  • Torchil
  • Carle
• After the Norman Invasion, Morcar rebelled against William the Conqueror. He failed, and his lands, including the Manor of Bridlington, were confiscated.
• In 1069, William the Conqueror's 'Harrying of the North' took a heavy toll on the whole area.
• In 1113 William de Gant established an Augustinian Priory in Bridlington. The Priory grew to be the largest and richest Augustinian house in the whole of the North of England before it was destroyed in the 'Dissolution of the Monasteries' in 1537/8.

  More about Bridlington Priory

A Tale of Two Towns

• The first mention of 'Bridlington' in written history is from 1086.
• It is mentioned in the Domesday Book as 'Bretlinton'.
• 'Bretlinton' refers to the part of the town now known as the 'Old Town' or 'Burlington'.
• This is the historic area about a mile inland, centred around the Bridlington Priory.
• The area of the town centred around the harbour and seafront developed completely separately from the Burlington Old Town.
• It is only reasonably recently that these 2 have been combined into the Bridlington we know today.

What's in a Name?

• There's quite a lot of discussion around the origins of the name of Bridlington. Here are some of the theories and options:
  • 1086 - recorded as 'Bretlinton'
  • 1135 - recorded as 'Brilinton'
  • 1138 - recorded as 'Brillintona'
  • 1203 - recorded as 'Berlington' and 'Breddelinton'
  • 1315 - recorded as 'Brellington' and 'Bolington'
  • 1651 - recorded as 'Burling'
• It is thought the name (in its many combinations) comes from 'Bretel' - the name of an Angle who settled here - calling his 'place' 'Bretelston' (Bretel's place)
• Some others think the settlement was established by a Saxon chief and his descendents - Bridla - becomes Bridling-ton.
• Still another idea is that the name comes from the Viking word 'berlingr', which means 'smooth water'. When we think about the sheltered harbour bay of Bridlington - this theory does seem to hold some water (...so to speak!)
• This area of the town developed in later years as 'Burlington' (also known as 'Bolli'ton') now known as the Old Town.
• Throughout most of the history of the town, the 'Old Town' was the bigger and more important area.
• The quayside did develop, but until tourism took off in a major way in the early 19th Century, the quayside remained a small area, with its focus towards the sea.

More about Bridlington Old Town

Civil War in British History

• 1643 - During the Civil War, King Charles I's wife, Queen Henrietta Maria, took refuge in the town.

  She landed at the quay, but became involved in being fired on by warships in her rooms, during the night, and ran, on foot, to hide in a ditch!

The Rise of Tourism in British History

• In 1805, Bridlington opened it's first hotel - The George Hotel.
• From this time, the seaside part of the town developed quickly, and attracted many tourists. It became an attractive resort, helped by the extension of the railway to the town, in 1846.
• In 1847, the town was linked by rail to Scarborough - a very popular resort.
• In 1848, the South Pier was completed.
• In 1904 a new North Pier was completed.
• In 1896 donkey rides were introduced on the sands for visitors to enjoy.
  
  

  

  
  
  The Spa theatre also opened - this became a big attraction to the town, with much big-name entertainment showing there.
• Look at Bridlington vintage railway posters celebrating tourism at this time.

War Time Damage in British History

Bridlington did see some damage during both world wars:

• In 1918 a mine explosion caused damage.
• In 1940 the Woolworths was damaged by bombing.
• In 1942 a Convalescent Home was damage by bombing.

Modern Day Bridlington

In the 1990's:

• The new Spa Promenade was built
• The Link Golf Club opened
• The High Street was refurbished
• The 'Beside the Seaside' museum opens

In the 'noughties':

• The Harbour Heritage Museum opens
• Refurbishment of the Spa Theatre, which now, once again, attracts big-name entertainment, including such icons as 'Oasis'.
• Refurbishment of the Promenade
• Development of the Park and Ride
• Promotion of the Old Town as a heritage quarter

There's much to see of interest in Bridlington today, whether you want to look towards:

• beaches and sea
• heritage and history
• shopping

Look a little further afield to enjoy the surrounding countryside and further beaches all around the area...

Some Historic Attractions in and around Bridlington that Might Interest You

• Rudston Monolith - in nearby Rudston village
• Dane's Dyke
• Bridlington Priory
• Baylegate Museum
• The Old Town
• Harbour Heritage Museum
• Beside the Seaside Museum
• Sewerby Hall
• Burton Agnes Hall, in nearby Burton Agnes village
• Flamborough Lighthouses

More about British History in Yorkshire

More places to see and things to do in the Bridlington Tourist Information page

More ideas for Days out in the UK and things to do across the whole Yorkshire coast area...

Have you got any British history on Bridlington you'd like to share? Or information and experiences about your trips to Bridlington? Let us know, here...

Where are your best days out in the UK around the Yorkshire coast?

Have you got your free subscription to 'Yorkshire Coast Lines' yet? Receive your free, monthly, e-mail newsletter, full of ideas for days out and excursions along the Yorkshire coast, and upcoming local events... straight to your inbox.

Custom Search

Bringing you ideas and information for your British holidays, short breaks and days out in the UK...

...from Whitby to Scarborough, Filey, Bridlington, Hornsea, Withernsea, North York Moors and beyond…