White Stones

Coastal Marsh, Saltings in Yorkshire Scarborough

England

White Stones

Dry paddling pool, Filey
Dry paddling pool, Filey Credit: David Brown

White Stones is a coastal marsh located in Yorkshire, England. Situated on the eastern coast, it is known for its unique landscape of saltings, which are areas of salt marshes and mudflats. The marsh is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest due to its ecological importance.

Covering an area of approximately 50 hectares, White Stones is characterized by its salt-tolerant vegetation and diverse wildlife. The marsh is home to a variety of plant species, including samphire, sea lavender, and sea aster. These plants have adapted to the high salt content of the soil, creating a unique and vibrant ecosystem.

The marsh also serves as an important habitat for numerous bird species. It provides nesting grounds for birds like redshanks, oystercatchers, and ringed plovers. During migration seasons, White Stones attracts a plethora of wading birds, including dunlins, curlews, and sandpipers. These birds rely on the marsh as a vital feeding and resting spot during their long journeys.

White Stones offers breathtaking views of the North Sea, with its vast expanses of mudflats and tidal creeks. The ever-changing tides create a dynamic environment, where the marsh is either submerged or exposed, depending on the time of day. This tidal rhythm contributes to the marsh's ecological significance and adds to its beauty.

The area is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts, birdwatchers, and photographers who come to witness the stunning landscapes and observe the diverse wildlife. Visitors can explore the marsh through designated footpaths and enjoy the tranquility and serenity of this unique coastal environment.

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White Stones Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.220881/-0.28024965 or Grid Reference TA1281. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Dry paddling pool, Filey
Dry paddling pool, Filey
Lifeboat Station, Filey
Lifeboat Station, Filey
The Wolds Way nears its end
The Wolds Way nears its end
Brigg End
Brigg End
Cleveland Way near Filey
Cleveland Way near Filey
The bushes conceal a dried up pond by the path
The bushes conceal a dried up pond by the path
New build at Filey Fields
New build at Filey Fields
West Road, Filey
West Road, Filey
Filey Station
Filey Station
Quaternary cliffs A spectacular feature on the northern edge of Filey Bay is the cliff formed in a thick sequence of glacial deposits. Much of it comprises compact, silty clay which has eroded into sharply-defined gullies similar to the classic badlands of Dakota, USA. The Quaternary deposits are seen to lie above sub-horizontal beds of sandstone and limestone.
Quaternary cliffs
A spectacular feature on the northern edge of Filey Bay is the cliff formed in a thick sequence of glacial deposits. Much of it comprises compact, silty clay which has eroded into sharply-defined gullies similar to the classic badlands of Dakota, USA. The Quaternary deposits are seen to lie above sub-horizontal beds of sandstone and limestone.
Jurassic strata Layered strata here comprise sandstone and limestone of Jurassic, Oxfordian age belonging to the Coralline Oolite Formation.
Jurassic strata
Layered strata here comprise sandstone and limestone of Jurassic, Oxfordian age belonging to the Coralline Oolite Formation.
Erosion profile Glacial deposits (till) lying above the rock strata are consistent in their grain size and almost unstratified. The consequence is a very smooth erosion profile resulting here in an almost perfect cone shape in the cliff line. Occasional erratic cobbles can be seen clinging precariously to the tenacious till. The rusty-coloured  rock is the Calcareous Grit Member overlying stratified limestones.
Erosion profile
Glacial deposits (till) lying above the rock strata are consistent in their grain size and almost unstratified. The consequence is a very smooth erosion profile resulting here in an almost perfect cone shape in the cliff line. Occasional erratic cobbles can be seen clinging precariously to the tenacious till. The rusty-coloured rock is the Calcareous Grit Member overlying stratified limestones.
Concrete path My assistants are showing that even they prefer the concrete path which has been inserted into the gently-tilted limestone of the rock platform. I have pondered the question of why it is free of seaweed, and concluded that it is kept clear by footfall on this popular route.
Concrete path
My assistants are showing that even they prefer the concrete path which has been inserted into the gently-tilted limestone of the rock platform. I have pondered the question of why it is free of seaweed, and concluded that it is kept clear by footfall on this popular route.
Cemented quaternary deposits Glacial deposits forming the cliff have changed from clay-rich to stony. Here the angular clasts have been cemented by calcareous water flowing in the ground. The deposits are conformable with the underlying Jurassic strata, but are not bedded in the same way. Large blocks of the cemented material have fallen onto the rock platform, where they resemble crude concrete. The underlying limestone strata have a nodular texture which weathers to a knobbly surface which is difficult to walk upon.
Cemented quaternary deposits
Glacial deposits forming the cliff have changed from clay-rich to stony. Here the angular clasts have been cemented by calcareous water flowing in the ground. The deposits are conformable with the underlying Jurassic strata, but are not bedded in the same way. Large blocks of the cemented material have fallen onto the rock platform, where they resemble crude concrete. The underlying limestone strata have a nodular texture which weathers to a knobbly surface which is difficult to walk upon.
Beach silhouettes Sun reflecting from wet sand and rocks.
Beach silhouettes
Sun reflecting from wet sand and rocks.
Disrupted strata Large lumps of the Hambleton Oolite member of the Coralline Oolite Formation strata forming the northern side of Filey Brigg have been ripped-up and thrown into a heap by storm waves. The Brigg itself comprises calcareous sandstone underlying the limestone strata. Weathering of the inverted blocks shows spectacular burrowing traces which are just visible in this image. See also <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7005242">TA1381 : Thalassinoides trace fossil</a>.
Disrupted strata
Large lumps of the Hambleton Oolite member of the Coralline Oolite Formation strata forming the northern side of Filey Brigg have been ripped-up and thrown into a heap by storm waves. The Brigg itself comprises calcareous sandstone underlying the limestone strata. Weathering of the inverted blocks shows spectacular burrowing traces which are just visible in this image. See also TA1381 : Thalassinoides trace fossil.
Thalassinoides trace fossil Cemented burrows in the Coralline Oolite Formation, Jurassic (Oxfordian) Hambleton Oolite member. Known as Thalassinoides, the actual organism that produced these burrow traces is unknown, but modern shrimp-like crustaceans produce similar burrows.
Thalassinoides trace fossil
Cemented burrows in the Coralline Oolite Formation, Jurassic (Oxfordian) Hambleton Oolite member. Known as Thalassinoides, the actual organism that produced these burrow traces is unknown, but modern shrimp-like crustaceans produce similar burrows.
Concrete path A concrete path is inserted into the limestone of the wave-cut platform leading onto Filey Brigg. It was appreciated by the extended pack of assistants making up our expedition. This is an extraordinary walk, which we all enjoyed.
Concrete path
A concrete path is inserted into the limestone of the wave-cut platform leading onto Filey Brigg. It was appreciated by the extended pack of assistants making up our expedition. This is an extraordinary walk, which we all enjoyed.
Show me another place!

White Stones is located at Grid Ref: TA1281 (Lat: 54.220881, Lng: -0.28024965)

Division: North Riding

Administrative County: North Yorkshire

District: Scarborough

Police Authority: North Yorkshire

What 3 Words

///custodian.pint.lilac. Near Filey, North Yorkshire

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 54.220881,-0.28024965
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 54.2165221/-0.2785067
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Lat/Long: 54.2166873/-0.2782232
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Lat/Long: 54.2172804/-0.2773777
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Lat/Long: 54.217381/-0.2768946
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Lat/Long: 54.2191209/-0.2740796
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Lat/Long: 54.2191323/-0.2748
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Lat/Long: 54.2195929/-0.2761647
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Lat/Long: 54.2202712/-0.2784199
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Lat/Long: 54.220494/-0.2793539
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Lat/Long: 54.2205575/-0.279522
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Lat/Long: 54.2210465/-0.2818124
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Lat/Long: 54.221142/-0.2820755
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Lat/Long: 54.2218483/-0.2840037
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Lat/Long: 54.2220434/-0.2844122
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Lat/Long: 54.222288/-0.2850809
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Lat/Long: 54.2226217/-0.2858791
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Lat/Long: 54.2229098/-0.2865116
Description: End of Cleveland Way and Yorkshire Wolds Way national trails.
Image: https://map.atownsend.org.uk/tmp/173648.jpg
Information: artwork
Tourism: information
Lat/Long: 54.2185771/-0.2765089
Bench
Source: survey;gps
Lat/Long: 54.2178909/-0.2774008
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Source: survey;gps
Lat/Long: 54.2179098/-0.2774423
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Lat/Long: 54.2179333/-0.2774946
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Lat/Long: 54.2178353/-0.277787
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Lat/Long: 54.2177992/-0.2778648
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Lat/Long: 54.2177514/-0.2779707
Parking
Lat/Long: 54.2166747/-0.2803069
Bench
Source: survey;gps
Lat/Long: 54.2166261/-0.280028
Direction South: Hessle 79 miles
Guide Type: destination
Guidepost Type: route_marker;PROW
Image: https://map.atownsend.org.uk/tmp/173647.jpg
Information: guidepost
Tourism: information
Lat/Long: 54.2185477/-0.2765063
Bench
Source: survey;gps
Lat/Long: 54.217498/-0.2784612
Bench
Source: survey;gps
Lat/Long: 54.2167648/-0.2795059
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Source: survey;gps
Lat/Long: 54.2176141/-0.2780164
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Source: survey;gps
Lat/Long: 54.2176807/-0.2781192
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Source: survey;gps
Lat/Long: 54.2172494/-0.2785792
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Source: survey;gps
Lat/Long: 54.2165036/-0.2800061
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Source: survey;gps
Lat/Long: 54.2175545/-0.2783445
Filey's Rocket Pole
Information: board
Tourism: information
Lat/Long: 54.2200817/-0.2799462
Man Made: pole
Pole: rocket
Lat/Long: 54.2195532/-0.280163
Direction North: Helmsley 109 miles
Guide Type: destination
Guidepost Type: route_marker;PROW
Image: https://map.atownsend.org.uk/tmp/173649.jpg
Information: guidepost
Tourism: information
Lat/Long: 54.2190106/-0.2766659
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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