The village of Staithes is something of an artist’s dream. Its houses and cottages are clustered around the old harbour and surrounded by cliffs on three sides, with a beach set amongst the coastline. Staithes is a must for anyone visiting the Yorkshire Coast and has a selection of pubs, shops and tea rooms. It is home to an RNLI lifeboat station, with boat trips for birdwatching, fishing and even whale watching available. It also has an annual Art and Heritage Festival, galleries and artists studios with art courses and workshops regularly on offer. There’s a free Illusion Trail, which guides visitors around the network of ginnels (alleyways), with trail guides available locally. The best views of the town can be enjoyed from the Cleveland Way which runs down the cliff to the sea’s edge.
