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ON a sunny day it is hard to match the view of Bridlington Bay. Stand on the harbour top or walk along the sea front on the south side of the town and all you can see is miles of sandy beach. Look in the other direction and the view is equally stunning, of the great, white cliffs of Flamborough Head.

Brid, as it is affectionately known, has been a popular resort since Edwardian times.

It still had a certain something in the 1930s and ’40s, when people dressed up to dance at the Spa on a Saturday night. As a child growing up there a decade or so later, I thought the horse-drawn landaus available for drives along the sea front were the last word in elegance; a longed-for treat but we were told that they were only for holidaymakers.

The landaus have long gone but now I’m told one can take a ride in a tuk tuk – not quite the same, is it?

When it comes to the pecking order of importance of resorts along the east coast, Brid seems to get short shrift. Scarborough has always been bigger, busier, wealthier and generally classier. Whitby has its own charm and more than enough fans. Even Filey has retained its old-fashioned appeal.

So what has Brid got to offer? Great beaches with space to get away from any crowds; a busy, working harbour; the hidden gem that is the Old Town, and the RSPB bird sanctuary which is just outside the town, at Bempton, would be at the top of my list.

The Old Town was where Bridlington originated and this is where you will find the Georgian High Street and the 13th-century Priory Church. The late architect, Francis Johnson, whose offices are still in the High Street, did much to save these buildings from the ravages of developers. It still looks in need of some TLC in parts but there are some thriving shops, cafes and a gallery.

There is a summer festival in the Old Town on July 2 and 3 when there will be open gardens and a craft and food fair.

The cliffs at Bempton are packed with thousands of seabirds at this time of the year, and the RSPB have been running puffin cruises for visitors to get a good look at all these birds from the sea. The cruises, on board the Yorkshire Belle, sail out of Bridlington harbour and up to Bempton cliffs, which, in the spring and summer ,are home to almost a quarter-of-a-million seabirds.

Local volunteers are on board to help identify the birds and answer any questions. The cruises run until July 16.

One of the highlights of the summer is the annual regatta week which is held in August. This begins with the Fleet Review out in the bay, when the Commodore of the Royal Yorkshire Yacht Club casts a keen eye over all the yachts that will be competing as they sail past.

What would make this event even better and generally improve the sailing for enthusiasts would be the arrival of the much-talked-about marina. This has been at the planning stage for almost as long as I can remember. It would make a huge difference to the town if only the different parties involved could come to a final agreement about plans.

Bridlington has proved to be an inspiring place in which to live for the artist, David Hockney. He bought a house there for his late mother, and his sister, Margaret, also lives in the town.

He visited regularly for years before deciding to live there and then found fresh impetus for his work in the rolling hills of the nearby Wolds. Many of his favourite locations, such as Woldgate, are just a mile or two out of town and immediately recognisable in his paintings to anybody who knows the area.

He is happy to be able to lead a quiet life there and perhaps enjoys the same things that many of us like best about Brid – a walk along the beach and the sight of that great sweep of Bridlington Bay.

FROM PRIORY BEGINNINGS TO A £20M SPA FACELIFT

* The town began a mile away from the sea around the abbey of Bridlington Priory. A small harbour and a fishing port, known as Bridlington Quay, were established where the Gypsey Race runs into the sea and the two areas gradually expanded into the town people know now.

The first hotel was opened in 1805 and Bridlington went on to become popular as a holiday resort with visitors from West Yorkshire.

* The first lifeboat station opened at Bridlington in 1805. The RNLI took over running the station in 1853.

* Bridlington Spa, a nationally famous dance venue in the resort’s heyday, re-opened three years ago after a restoration which cost nearly £20m.