YorkshireNet Guide to the Yorkshire Coast
See you at Yorkshire’s superb seaside!
Glorious beaches, rocky coves, towering cliffs. Marvellous resorts or tiny
fishing ports. Non-stop family fun or windswept, waveswept solitude. That’s
the choice on the Yorkshire Coast.
A rugged coastline with a backdrop of the North York Moors National Park is
the setting for the Yorkshire Coast’s resorts and fishing villages. This is
a coastline of high cliffs and rocky shores, rich in flowers and wildlife. Follow
the cliff top path for over 30 miles along the North Yorkshire Heritage Coast
or visit one of the coastal resorts or villages.
For
bustling and buzzing atmosphere, try Scarborough, a major resort packed
with action and catering for the whole family. Between the safe, sandy
beaches of the North and South Bays is the harbour where the fishing
boats still land their catch, overlooked by Scarborough’s medieval
castle. Traditional seaside attractions and a busy shopping centre
add to Scarborough’s appeal. Its parks and gardens help attract conferences
and events to its Spa complex.
The
picturesque fishing port of Whitby is little changed since the days
of its famous son, Captain Cook. The eerie drama of clifftop Whitby
Abbey inspired the writing of ‘Dracula’. Stroll through
Whitby’s quaint cobbled streets past picturesque houses overlooking
the River Esk or inspect jewellery made from Whitby Jet, a dark black
fossil mineral found here.
North of Whitby is Staithes, a quiet little fishing village at the bottom of
a steep ravine.
Steps
and narrow alleyways wind through picturesque Robin Hood’s Bay down to the slipway
at the bottom of a steep ravine. For over 500 years fishing boats have been
based here, with whole families working on some part of the baiting, catching,
and salting process in the heyday of the fishing industry. At low tide rocks
dating back to the Jurassic period are exposed, and fossils are regularly found.
The local museum and the new visitor centre have examples.
The
small resort of Filey has been a family favourite since Edwardian times. This
unspoilt town, with five miles of golden beach in the lee of Filey Brigg headland,
has an interesting range of shops and a Folk Museum well worth a visit. Filey’s
Edwardian Festival in June recreates the flavour of the period.
Up-to-the-minute attractions include Scarborough’s Sealife Centre plus all
the traditional amusements and attractions. An unusual attraction is the Staintondale
Shire Horse Farm off the Scarborough to Whitby road. There is live entertainment
throughout the Yorkshire Coast, with new theatre productions at Scarborough’s
famous Stephen Joseph Theatre and numerous shows. Picturesque country towns,
historic houses, and the superb landscapes of the North York Moors and Yorkshire
Wolds are within easy touring distance of the coast.
Sport
and the seaside go together and sailing, golf, bowls and angling are just some
of the Yorkshire choices. The Yorkshire coastal year is bright with fairs and
festivals such as Scarborough Fair, Whitby Folk Festival, and Filey Edwardian
Festival.
Classic sporting events include Filey Fishing Festival, Scarborough Cricket
Festival and Motorcycle racing at Scarborough’s Oliver’s Mount. For gentler
pursuits the Cleveland Way National Trail offers spectacular walks along the
clifftops.
