A delight for artists, Staithes is a quaint, peaceful seaside town with cobblestone streets and narrow alleyways. A secluded sandy beach is nestled among the rocky shoreline, and the town’s charming homes and cottages are grouped around the historic harbour and bordered by high, jagged cliffs on three sides. The community can claim ties to Captain Cook, who served as an apprentice to a draper close to the harbour. Today, Staithes, which boasts a decent selection of pubs, shops, and tea rooms, is a must-see for anyone travelling to the Yorkshire Coast. There is still an RNLI lifeboat station in Staithes, along with a small fleet of cobles (fishing boats) that land fish, crab, and lobster. Boat trips are also offered for fishing, birdwatching, and even whale watching. Old Jack’s Boat, a well-liked BBC children’s television programme, is also filmed there. With an annual Art and Heritage Festival, galleries, and artist studios that frequently provide art classes and seminars, Staithes has a strong draw for artists. The network of ginnels (alleyways) is navigated by the free Illusion Trail, which also offers local trail guides. The Cleveland Way, which descends the cliff to the sea’s edge, offers the best views of the town. All in all, a great starting point for touring the Yorkshire Coast, going to Whitby or Scarborough, or taking in the moorland settlements of the North York Moors National Park.
