Staithes’ cobbled streets and back lanes are an artist’s delight. Its lovely buildings and cottages are crowded around the historic harbour and protected by towering cliffs on three sides, with a sheltered sandy beach. Captain Cook was a draper’s apprentice in the village. Staithes is a must for anyone visiting the Yorkshire Coast, with bars, shops, and tea places. Staithes has an RNLI lifeboat station, a small fleet of cobles (fishing boats), and boat cruises for birdwatching, fishing, and whale viewing. Old Jack’s Boat was filmed there. Staithes’ Art and Heritage Festival, galleries, and artist studios offer art courses and workshops. A free Illusion Trail walks tourists through the network of ginnels (alleyways). The Cleveland Way, which descends the cliff to the sea, offers the best views of the town. Overall, a great location for touring the Yorkshire Coast, Whitby, Scarborough, and the North York Moors.
