Staithes, North Yorkshire
One of my absolute favourite places on the Yorkshire coast is a small village called Staithes.
Tucked into a dramatic cleft of the North Yorkshire coastline, Staithes is a place where the sea has cut deep into the cliffs, dramatic rock faces cradling a jumble of red-roofed cottages that tumble down towards a small harbour. Due to its size, you will not find large trawlers heading out into the North Sea here. Instead, small, working fishing boats still rise and fall with the tide.
It is beautiful, yes — but it is also a very real place, where local people work hard and take quiet pride in their past.
This is not a village that shouts for attention.
It simply waits for you to slow down, take a breath, and enjoy its peace.
A Village Shaped By Sea and Stone
Staithes has existed here for centuries, carved out of the cliffs by generations who made their living from the sea. Fishing was the lifeblood of the village, and even today its small harbour remains active, governed by tide tables rather than timetables. Fresh fish and crab are landed daily and sold locally, where exceptional quality is simply expected.
The village also has a strong artistic heritage. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Staithes attracted painters drawn by its remarkable light, ever-changing weather, and uncompromising beauty. This group became known as the Staithes Group — artists who found inspiration in everyday coastal life long before it became fashionable to do so. Their work is expressive, honest, and full of feeling.
One notable son of Staithes is Captain James Cook, who spent time here as a young man before going on to chart much of the known world. When you visit, it’s easy to understand why he stayed — and why you may feel the same pull to linger. It feels entirely fitting that a village so emotionally and physically tied to the sea helped shape one of history’s greatest explorers.
Character You Can’t Manufacture
What makes Staithes special is not a single landmark, but its atmosphere. Cars are largely absent from the village itself, parked instead at the top of the cliff in the main car park. This leaves narrow lanes where your footsteps will echo off its stone walls and conversations drift from open doorways. Ropes, nets, lobster pots and benches appear as if placed without thought — yet everything feels exactly where it should be.
There is a strong sense of community here. People live and work in Staithes all year round, not just seasonally, and visitors are welcomed warmly — especially those who respect the village’s pace and traditions.
This is a place to wander without an agenda. Sit on the harbour wall and watch the boats heading out to sea. Watch children on the sand and in the rockpools, with nets ready on the end of a length of bamboo, parents keeping half an eye on the weather as it rolls in. It is a place to simply sit and listen - not race about.
Things To See and Do
Staithes may be small, but there is plenty to fill your day — or tempt you to stay a little longer IN inviting bed and breakfasts offering warm beds and hearty meals.
The Harbour & Beach – At low tide, the beach opens into rock pools and sweeping sands, perfect for exploring or soaking up the coastal air. Ideal for those who enjoy discovering fossils in the cliffs and listening to the call of the seabirds overhead.
The Cleveland Way – Staithes sits directly on this famous coastal path, offering spectacular cliff-top walks towards Runswick Bay or Port Mulgrave. Good footwear is essential; binoculars and a camera are highly recommended.
Captain Cook & Staithes Heritage Centre – A small but engaging museum bringing the village’s maritime and social history to life. If it was good enough for Captain Cook, you know your own journeys can begin here and take you to the rest of the world.
Independent Shops & Galleries – Local art, handmade gifts, coffee and maybe a slice of walnut cake or similar. The day’s catch on display at the fishmongers — perfect for taking home what will be a tasty reminder of your visit.
Cafés, Pubs & Seafood – Honest food, locally caught fish, generous portions, and a good pint enjoyed without rushing. Plenty of salt and vinegar on your chips, that permeate the air and make you even hungrier – just after you have eaten your fill.
Parking and Access
Parking is available in the main car park at the top of the village. Access to the harbour is on foot via steep roads and paths — part of Staithes’ charm, but something to be mindful of if your mobility is limited. Paths can be slippery in wet weather, and sturdy footwear is strongly advised.
Once down in the village though, everything is explored on foot — and that is very much the whole point.
When to Visit
Staithes rewards visitors in every season. Summer brings long sunny days and lively harbour scenes. Autumn and winter strip things back to raw beauty — crashing seas, dramatic skies, and a timeless feel. Spring, with fewer crowds and fresh air, is a particular favourite for walkers and photographers, with light that artists treasure and try to capture before it changes.
A Place to Slow Down
Staithes doesn’t try to be modern, polished or reinvented. It doesn’t need to. It remains a village shaped by the sea and by the resilience of those who earned their living from it. Visitors seeking authenticity, beauty and quiet wonder will find it in abundance.
I will always cherish my visits to this stunning Yorkshire village. Every sound, every bird call, every wave leaves its mark on your heart.
Some places impress you.
Staithes stays with you — for now and it will, for always.