Welcome to Staithes, this picturesque old fishing village nestled between the sea and the North York moors is a perfect holiday destination for all ages. Peaceful and quiet, it is tucked away between two nabs, Cowbar Nab and Penny Nab. Close by are Boulby Cliffs which at 600ft are the highest in England.

Visitors to the village park in the Bank Top car park and take a leisurely walk into the old village. Whether you walk down into the Old Village via the steep bank or the Old Stubble you will be met by a maze of cobbled streets and higgledy – piggledy houses that cling to the hillsides as if by magic. Looking like a scene out of the past it is like a place lost in time. It is not difficult to imagine the smugglers, fishermen, sailors and miners who wandered its streets in days gone by. It also lays claim to the narrowest street in Yorkshire. Dog Loup as it is called is wide enough for only the slimmest of people and not good for anyone suffering from claustrophobia.

Staithes had for many years a feast day when members of the family came to visit from other areas. This included among other things various types of races and prizes. On one held in 1797 these were some of the prizes and races:

Race: 25yd sack race for men or boys
Prize: A fish skin purse containing silver.
Race: A man and wife race, the man to carry the wife in whatever way he wished as long as she was clear of the ground.
Prize: A crown piece

In the 18th and 19th century Staithes was the main fishing port on this part of the Yorkshire coast. It employed approximately one thousand men in fish curing, transportation and selling of fish, boat building and sail making. A young James Cook came to Staithes to work as an apprentice to Mr William Sanderson a grocer and haberdasher. It was here that he found his love for the sea and after a stay of around 18 months moved to Whitby to take his first voyage on a collier.

Both alum and ironstone mining played an important part in Staithes history. While the alum mining came to an end in the 19th century the ironstone mining lasted until the early 20th century. Part of its legacy can still be seen on the rocks when the tide is out.

At the foot of the village is a beautiful small harbour, sheltered by high cliffs, piers and rock armour. A small fleet of brightly painted cobles can usually be found here. These are the traditional fishing vessels of this coast and are used by local fishermen to catch crabs, lobsters, cod etc.

The small sandy beach and rock pools on the shore make this a wonderful place for both children and adults to explore. Sea urchins, various types of crabs and small fish can all be found in the rock pools. Being part of the Dinosaur Coast it is known for its fossils of which a number of varieties can be found. Early in the 1990s a rare fossil of a seagoing dinosaur was found after a cliff fall to the south of Staithes. Small pieces of jet which can be made into jewellery can also be found. This type of jewellery became sought after in Queen Victoria’s reign when it was made popular by the queen herself.

For those simply wishing to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery and the peace and tranquillity of the village there are plenty of places to rest, relax, take refreshments and watch the world go by.

For the visitors staying longer than a day there are many walks in the area. The village sits on the Cleveland Way and is a good place for a nights rest when walking the whole length or as a starting point to walk part of it. There are also many short walks in the area if you just want a gentle stroll. It is also a popular place for geologists. Geology students are brought here by universities from all over the country. The village is also an ideal base for anyone wishing to explore the North Yorkshire Moors or the surrounding towns and villages but wishing to stay in a quieter area.

Local amenities, in the old part of the village at the bottom of the bank these include:

3 Public houses: Cod & Lobster
2 Restaurants/bistros: Harbourside
Public phone box
Butchers
Post office/general store
2 Gift shops
2 Cafe/coffee shops: Stonehaven & Seadrift
Public toilets
Chapel - Methodist
Church - St. Peter the Fisherman CofE

At the top of the village the amenities available include:

Public house Captain Cook Inn
Post office/general store
Co-op supermarket
Public phone box
Doctors surgery
Fast food takeaway
Garage (no petrol pumps)
Village hall athletic/social club
Public toilets (in the car park)
Children’s play area (located on the car park)
Catholic church, Our Lady Star of the Sea

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