BRIDLINGTON, municipal borough, East Riding of York shire, England, 31m. N.N.E. of Hull by a branch of the L.N.E.R. Pop. (1931) 19,704. It is divided into two parts, the ancient market town lying about Im. from the coast, while the modern houses of Bridlington Quay, the watering-place, fringe the shore of Bridlington bay. Southward the coast becomes low, but north ward it is steep and very fine, where the great spur of Flam borough head (q.v.) projects eastward. Bridlington seems to have been a borough before the Conquest, as mention of its burgesses occurs in Domesday. Its mediaeval history is linked up with its markets and fairs, first mentioned in a grant of 1200, and its port, first mentioned in Stephen's reign. In the old town the church of St. Mary and St. Nicholas consists of the fine Dec orated and Perpendicular nave, with Early English portions, of the priory church of an Augustinian foundation of the time of Henry I. There remains also the Perpendicular gateway, serving as the town hall. The founder of the priory was Walter de Gaunt, about 1114, and the institution flourished until Bridlington was an early centre of Nonconformity, and a Con gregational society was founded in 1662. In the late 18th century it became fashionable with a chalybeate spring. The new develop ments took place around Bridlington Quay, now the centre of attraction for visitors. Bridlington was created a municipal borough in 1899 and has an area of 2,746 ac. It is in the Buckrose parliamentary division.