Filey is known as 'The Unspoilt Hidden Gem of The Yorkshire Coast' with its glorious wide golden beach, elegant Victorian houses and well-kept gardens, but what were Filey's origins? Unlike the neighbouring town of Scarborough, Filey was mentioned in the Domesday Book 'as a very small village occupied by less than fifty people, and that Filey was worth a reasonable income, with access to good quality timber which was ideal for construction.' So, were these people Filey's oldest residents?

Filey a History of The Town and its People, traces the history of the town from Roman times through time. It tells the history of the town's churches and the influence that the Methodist had on the community. The book also warns of the dangers of the sea, and its treacherous tides, and recalls stories of many people who have lost their lives to the sea over the years. It also recalls the story of The Bonhomme Richard and its notorious Captain John Paul Jones. The book is illustrated with over one hundred photographs.

Chapter 1 Filey's Roman Presence...................................................1 Domesday and Early Settlement .....................................................6 The Bucks & The Beckwiths...........................................................11 Filey: Possible Origins of its Name.................................................13 The Gristhorpe Man ......................................................................15 Filey Enclosure ..............................................................................18 Filey Brigg (and its dangers) Spittal Rocks and The Spa Well..........21 Spittal Rocks..................................................................................31 Spa Well........................................................................................32 John Paul Jones and the Battle the Bonhomme Richard ................36 Further Conflict............................................................................... 55 Filey Harbour of Refuge.................................................................57 Filey's Churches.............................................................................63 St Oswald's, Filey Parish Church.....................................................63 Methodists-Wesleyan & Primitive .................................................71 St Mary's Church & The Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Evron ...78 St John the Evangelist and the Iron Church ...................................82 Filey's Interesting Incumbents.......................................................85 The Local Workhouse ....................................................................89 Filey Builds a New Sea Wall...........................................................92 Changing Street Names and Demolished 'Yards and Rents'...........96 Filey Court House and Filey's Ancient Market and Fair. .................99 The Fishing Industry ....................................................................102 ii Flither Girls..................................................................................105 Fishing Disasters..........................................................................108 Filey Lifeboat ...............................................................................111 Filey Railway ...............................................................................117 Education ....................................................................................119 Filey's Prominent Buildings..........................................................125 Cliff House.................................................................................... 125 Filey Baths and Spa Company-Ackworth House.......................... 127 North Cliff Villa............................................................................. 134 Filey: Public Houses .....................................................................151 Flying...........................................................................................179 Accidents & Murders ...................................................................184 Five Children Drowned on Reighton Sands. .................................189 Sources of Information. ...............................................................194