You’ll love Staithes
Staithes is close to Runswick Bay and Sandsend on the North Yorkshire Coast. A traditional fishing village with a small harbour and beach and a colourful patchwork of seaside cottages in different colours which tumble down the hillside into the pretty cobbled streets of the village.
Loved for its quiet traffic-free streets, pretty harbour and sandy beach, Staithes is close to Whitby and is one of Yorkshire’s best-kept secrets. Artists have long been attracted to Staithes and the famous Staithes Group or School of has inspired artists and creative people through the decades and seen Staithes grow a community of artists, a selection of galleries, craft centres and even it’s very own arts festival.
Staithes is a peaceful place but you will find a small selection of shops, pubs specialising in fresh seafood and traditional ales, cafes where you can enjoy local home baking and galleries and craft centres.
In the 19th century Staithes was one of the most important fishing ports in England. The traditional boats, known as cobles, brought in herring and mackerel. The women prepared the catch, sometimes salting, sometimes smoking, before it was hauled up the cliffs and transported across the wild moors for sale. Britain’s most famous sea-farer, Captain James Cook, also lived and worked in Staithes. You can easily follow his Heritage Trail by car or foot, which wanders down the coast and across the moors, offering an insight into the life of this extraordinary man.
Favourite activities for holiday makers include walking, bird watching, fishing and kayaking. Galleries a craft centre and art courses. Many people like to sit in the pretty harbour and enjoy a drink or some fresh local seafood or even just lounging on the beach, soaking up the Yorkshire sunshine.
Staithes today is a happy, peaceful place with a small selection of shops, and pubs specialising in fresh seafood and traditional ales, cafes where you can enjoy local home baking and galleries and craft centres.
See what some of our guests think…
The area
Staithes is ideally located for exploring the North Yorkshire moors and coast.
Rich in fossils, it is known as the Jurassic Coast, Heritage Coast and Dinosaur Coast: Already famous for its dinosaur footprints, the coast recently shot to scientific attention with the discovery of a plesiosaur, or sea dragon, thought to be 132 million years old. Foraging for fossils on the beaches at Port Mulgrave, Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay is great fun, and usually turns up ammonites at least.
Staithes sits on the edge of the North York Moors National Park, a gloriously wild place which hosts England’s largest expanse of heather moorland.
Whitby, recently voted one of Britain’s favourite holiday resorts, is a short drive or bus ride away. A happy blend of modern and traditional, Whitby is a great choice for a day out, with St Hilda’s Abbey, the Dracula connection, trips on the old RNLI lifeboat or Endeavour replica, and quirky shops.
Food Shops
Staithes has a large Co-op near the main council parking area on the cliff top. There’s also a wholesale fish outlet, which is supplied daily from Scarbough and Whitby; they do their own smoking and the fish is amazing. Try the smoked ling, smoked mackerel and salmon – and sea-run trout or live lobster in season! www.whitbyseafish.co.uk
Down in the village, a few metres’ stroll from Dunsley, you’ll find an excellent and very traditional butcher selling meat of excellent quality and the pies and sausage rolls; they also sell fruit, vegetables, milk and eggs, plus gourmet preserves, fresh bread and even newspapers. There is a deli which sells quality wine, fine foods and locally sourced produce. They also make hand-made chocolates and treats and sell traditional varieties such as bon-bons and stem ginger at the sweet shop next door.
Eating Out
Staithes has two pubs near the harbour, both within 90 seconds’ walk of Dunsley. Both have weekly quiz nights, which are great fun: all are welcome.
Cod & Lobster on the harbour front (first picture on left) has wonderful sea views and a bistro menu. Try the mussels in cream and garlic are excellent and the taste is enhanced by the sea view! Tel: 01947 840490
The Royal George, on the main street pictured below right) is a cosy local, with an open fire and home-made pub grub. Enjoy fresh crab sandwiches and traditional ales a good place for lunch at a reasonable price. Tel: 01947 841432, www.royalgeorgestaithes.co.uk
Cleveland Corner Bistro, is a popular choice for a relaxing meal. It is intimate, seating only about 12 people, but the food is well priced and home made. And the beer on the menu is made by Dunsley’s neighbours, owners of Ship’s Bell. Tel: 01947 841117, www.clevelandcorner.co.uk
Captain Cook Inn: at the top of the bank, the best for real ale and good food. Tel: 01947 840200, www.captaincookinn.co.uk
Fox & Hounds is a short walk from the top of the village, in Dalehouse. They serve good food and real ale at great prices, with sofas by an open fire for cosy winter evenings. Tel: 01947 840534
Bridge bistro in Sandsens serves beautiful seafood and bistro style food. We love it here and in summer you can sit outside in the pretty costal garden. It is best to book in advance as it does get busy: 01947 893 438
For a gourmet treat, visit Estbek, a small restaurant in nearby Sandsend (drive, or take the bus, which drops off virtually at the door) – www.estbekhouse.co.uk
The Royal Hotel at Runswick Bay is a good choice for lunch – walk there on the Cleveland Way, then you can climb to the cliff top and catch the bus home.