Filey lies on the Yorkshire Coast midway between Scarborough and Bridlington on what was the pre-1974 North and East Riding of Yorkshire boundary line.

It is very much a traditional, Victorian seaside resort, although the first community, predominantly a fishing one, was established there some twelve centuries ago. The town is perhaps most famous for the Royal Crescent, built by Birmingham solicitor John Wilkes in 1850 and billed as the North of England's most fashionable and in-demand addresses for over 100 years.

Filey is also renown for its award-winning sandy beach, which spans over five miles, as well as the numerous award-winning gardens scattered throughout the town. The oldest building in the town is the Filey Museum on Queen Street that was built in 1696.