Staithes harbour and beach
What and where is Staithes?
Staithes is a traditional English fishing village in North Yorkshire, a natural harbour where Roxby Beck meets the sea, surrounded by breathtaking coastal scenery. It's on the Cleveland Way with delightful walks both along the clifftops and inland. There's a sandy beach, a stony shore and piers for fishing.
A visit Staithes is like stepping back in time. Picturesque, higgledy-piggledy cottages with red pantiled and grey slate roofs are grouped around tiny yards, up steps, down winding cobbled streets or through a maze of alleyways - all steeped in history.
Staithes is perfect for an unforgettable family holiday or a romantic getaway for a couple.
Exploring Staithes is an adventure, with it's nooks and crannies, the beach, mysterious paths, stepping stones over the Beck, rural walks, a mindbogglingly narrow street, quirky shops, fishing, the museum, unexpected views and timeless appeal.
(I'll put my health and safety hat on now). If you go crabbing on the rocks at Staithes, have fun but take care - the tide comes in twice a day and the sea completely covers the rocks, so be aware of the changing cycle of the tide, don't go alone, make sure someone knows where you are and when to expect you back, keep away from the cliffs and don't stray too far up or down the coast from the village.
What is around Staithes?
Staithes is a great base to explore the North Yorkshire Coast and the North Yorkshire Moors National Park. There's lots to do, such as:
- The Cleveland Way passes through Staithes, so take the steep walk to Boulby to the North, or the more leisurely clifftop walk to Port Mulgrave and Runswick Bay to the south.
- For railway enthusiasts, visit Goathland Station (a.k.a. Hogsmeade Station from the first Harry Potter movie) from where you can take a steam train to Whitby and climb the 199 steps to Whitby Abbey to see where Dracula got up to his shenanigans and have fish 'n' chips at the legendary Magpie Cafe or coffee and cake at Sherlock's.
- To the north of Staithes, the charming market town Saltburn-by-the-Sea has a 15 inch gauge railway as well as funicular down the cliff to the pier and you can hire a wetsuit and learn to surf! (Staithes itself is good for experienced surfers too).
- Sandsend has a really long beach, as well as sandy part near the bridge that fills with sea water when the tide comes in and becomes a paddling pool for little kids when the tide goes out again.
- For a longer day out, Scarborough is a 45 minute drive (see swimming pools section if you like water parks) and Robin Hood's Bay is fun. If you don't know Yorkshire, the magnificent city of York, a one-and-a-half hour drive away across the spectacular landscape of the moors should not be missed.
- For another longer day out, remember Staithes is at the intersection of Yorkshire and the North East, so head out with the kids for the unforgettable experience of Beamish, for which you'll need the entire day as it's huge and fun. For adults, the small university city of Durham, with its snaking river, castle and cathedral has a distinctive relaxed vibe.
Are there any pubs in Staithes?
Yes - three - and all do great food. The George on the High Street, The Cod & Lobster overlooking the beach and the Captain Cook at the top of the village.
Where else can we eat out locally?
There are cafes and a bistro in Staithes village as well as plenty of good pubs and restaurants in nearby villages and towns. The Fox and Hounds (TS13 5DT) at Dalehouse is a short walk from Staithes but take care as there is no footpath on the narrow road. Hinderwell and Runswick Bay are less than 3 miles away. The Ellerby Inn is 4 miles from Staithes (TS13 5LP) to the south. Going further afield, there are plenty of eating options in the Victorian market towns of Saltburn to the north and Whitby to the south.
Where is the fish 'n' chip shop?
Excelsior, 4 Staithes Lane - up up up the hill (not Cowbar Bank - the other hill) and keep going - it's on your left.
Where are the nearest shops and supermarkets?
The Co-op general store on Whitby Road at the top of Staithes village, open until 10pm. Further afield, down the coast there are two large supermarkets in Whitby, about 12 miles from Staithes - a Co-op by the railway station (YO21 1YW) and a Sainsburys Superstore on the outskirts of town (YO22 4NL.) The large Asda at Skelton (TS12 2ZL) is next to a large Aldi, 9 miles from Staithes. A small Co-op (TS13 4HA) may be found at Loftus, 4 miles from Staithes and there's a Sainburys by the railway station in Saltburn (TS12 1DG) which is 9 miles up the coast. And if you can't do without your Marksies trifles, it's 15 miles to M&S at Guisborough (TS14 7DL)
Staithes also has a scattering of small independent shops to explore in the old village itself. Art galleries, crafts, boutiques, a delicatessen, a sweet shop and even a museum. Everything from logs for the wood-burning stove to a bucket-and-spade for the kids to take to the beach is around. And please buy something from the Lifeboats shop, to support the RNLI.
Are there swimming pools around Staithes?
- Loftus Leisure Centre, Deepdale Road, TS13 4RS - 9am-9pm 01287 642020
- Scarborough Alpamare Water Park - 28 Burniston Rd, YO12 6PH – a great day out!
- Whitby Leisure Centre, West Cliff, YO21 3HT - 7am-4pm, evenings 4pm-9pm. 01947 604640
- Check that these programmes are up-to-date before you set off.
Where are the nearest petrol stations?
- Hinderwell Service Station, 152 High St., 3 miles, petrol & breakdown service 01947 840341
- Whitby - Esso 6 Upgang Lane YO21 3DS, 11 miles down coast - as you enter Whitby on the A174
- SScaling Dam - BP, 7 miles inland on the A171 (go via Grinkle Lane) - TS13 4TP.
- Skelton - Asda (24 hours) 8 miles - TS12 2ZL
Why can't I get a phone signal?
- Staithes is surrounded by cliffs, so services are patchy in parts of the village. Some networks are better than others.
- Walk up the hill for a decent signal...
- ... or call with your favourite app. (WhatsApp, Teams, Facetime etc). Most cottages, cafes and pubs have wi-fi.
How do we get to Staithes?
- If you are coming to stay at Sea Haven, you don't need to worry about parking. We have a (free) parking space for you, right next to the cottage.
- If you are coming by car to Staithes but staying somewhere other than Sea Haven, check whether a parking solution is provided. Finding parking can be very difficult in Staithes during the summer, so think about pre-arranging somewhere to park. There are pay car parks at the top of each side of the village with different prices for different vehicle types that range from £7.20/day to £17 for an overnight stay. Note that these prices might not be up-to-date so do your research if you need parking at Staithes. During winter (Nov - Feb), Bank Top long-stay car park is free.
- If you're coming by train, Saltburn (9 miles up the coast from Staithes) and Whitby (12 miles down the coast from Staithes) are the closest mainline stations.
- From Saltburn railway station, take a taxi or bus X4 or X4a (route Middlesbrough - Saltburn - Staithes - Whitby).
- From Whitby railway station, take a taxi or the X56 bus (route Whitby - Staithes - Guisborough - Middlesbrough) or the X4 or X4a bus (Whitby - Staithes - Saltburn - Middlesbrough).
- If you arrive by bus, get off at Staithes Lane End bus stop, walk along Staithes Lane and down the hill into the old village.
What emergency services serve Staithes?
- Coastguard 999 Police 999 Ambulance 999 Fire 999.
- 24 hour Accident and Emergency (22 miles from Staithes) - James Cook University Hospital, Marton Road, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW, 01642 850 85024
- Whitby Hospital - 01947 899 200, Spring Hill, Whitby YO21 1DP, 8am-8pm, minor injuries unit
- 111 is NHS telephone service for medical help fast but not for life-threatening situations
- Staithes Surgery - 01947 840 480,- Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, welcomes non-residents, has a dispensary, Seaton Crescent in the upper village (TS13 5AY)
- Chemist / pharmacy - Lloyds, 26 High Street, Loftus (TS13 4HA) 01287 640 301 and - 4 miles from Staithes
- Chemist / pharmacy - late night to 10.30pm or 10pm Sat. 4pm Sun - Tesco Superstore, W Dyke Rd, Redcar (TS10 2AA) - 16 miles from Staithes
- Power cut - fuse box is behind front door (Sea Haven only); if whole street phone 105
- Water / flood - stop-cock is in the kitchen cupboard opposite the cooker (Sea Haven only).
- Clevedale Vets - clevedalevets.co.uk - 01287 623 802 - Upleatham - TS11 8AG - 11 miles north of Staithes. (also at Guisborough and Whitby).
- The Beck Veterinary Practice - whitbyvet.co.uk - 01947 820 333 - including emergencies - High Stakesby YO21 1HL - 10 miles south from Staithes. They also have a smaller clinic for non-emergencies on 01287 640 269 at Loftus - TS13 4PY - only 4 miles from Staithes
- VetsNow - vets-now.com - 01642 961 577 - emergencies 24-hour helpline, a national network of local vets and a 24-hour clinic at Stockton - TS18 3TT, 29 miles from Staithes.
ourist and general information tends to change over time so you are encouraged to email us with interesting updates or corrections.
