Club Outings & Events

Club Trip to Bempton Cliffs with Gannet Diving. May 2027

We are proposing a trip to RSPB Bempton Cliffs in East Yorkshire, the home of the largest land-based seabird colony in the UK with a 5-hour private boat charter from Bridlington for a gannet diving photography trip.

The trip involves feeding gannets with fish to observe and photograph them diving at high speed and fighting amongst themselves. This is a great fun, full-on frenzy, and a photographic challenge, often with amazing results. Fast shutter speeds and short lenses as the birds are frequently just feet away. 

Other birds such as gulls, fulmar and puffins are often seen too.

The trip starts at Bempton Cliffs, the home of the breeding gannets along with kittiwakes, razorbills, fulmars, guillemots and puffins. We photograph them as the sun goes down on day 1.

Day 2 features the boat trip which will likely be an early start.

Day 3 sees those who want to, watch the sunrise (weather permitting)!, at around 5am and catch the morning light. We will stay as long as we want before heading back home later in the day.

Bempton also features great land-based birds, including short-eared owls, rare tree sparrows, linnets and much more. In May, the sea thrift adds an extra dimension.

Bridlington is approx 3.5 to 4 hours drive from Cheltenham, traffic allowing. Accommodation will be at the Premier Inn in Bridlington. RSPB members have free entry to Bempton; otherwise, a small fee for non-members during official opening times (free entry at 5am!)

Places are limited to 12 people. Cost is £140 per head for the boat, plus hotel, food & drink and transport..

Please contact Jim or Mark (email: members@cheltenhamcamerclub.co.uk) to express your interest. Once we have enough to fill the boat, we can look at dates.