North Yorkshire is well known for its pretty coastal town of Whitby. You’ll find quaint houses built along the hillside and a harbour full of fishing boats and surrounded by traditional English eateries. But Whitby isn’t all this beautiful coastal region of the UK has to offer holidaymakers.
At the Reglar Collection we’ve handpicked our favourite undiscovered coastal towns and beaches in North Yorkshire.
Beaches near Whitby
Robin Hood’s Bay
Robin Hood’s Bay is one of North Yorkshire’s most picturesque villages, with traditional cottages spilling down its green hillside to the beach. It’s home to rock pools and is part of Yorkshire’s Jurassic Coast, making it perfect for fossil hunters.
Robin Hood’s Bay is easily reached from pretty Whitby, along the seven mile Cleveland Way. This spectacular walk takes you past some of the North York Moor’s heritage coastline’s most notable sights. These include the often overlooked Whitby Lighthouse, nesting seabirds and the clear waters of Oakham Beck stream.
Runswick Bay
Runwick Bay is a sleepy former fishing village where you can escape for a day of absolute peace and quiet. Little cottages cling to the hillside that rises over the sand and shingle beach below. The town is completely pedestrianised, with very few tourist shops and cafés.
The beach itself stretches for a mile and a half and its solitude has inspired artists since the Victorian times. Interesting fossils can be found when the tides are out, or you can enjoy the peace as you walk the length of the beach. It’s also possible to walk along the clifftops above, where you can take in the views, spot nesting seabirds and spot many varieties of wildflowers. Keen fishers should book a boat trip into the bay itself, which has some of the best cod fishing in the UK.
Coastal towns in North Yorkshire
Staithes
Colourful Staithes is home to pretty buildings with traditional red roofs, wild clifftops and a little bay which is sheltered from the wind by the surrounding cliffs. Enjoy traditional English seafood as you watch the pleasure boats in the harbour, or climb to the top of the town’s ravine and take in the spectacular sea views as you dine.
Arts and crafts shops are the ideal place to spend an afternoon finding the perfect piece. Alternatively, book a boat trip and enjoy fishing the deeper waters further out. Wildlife watchers will find plenty of opportunities here too. In May-June and August-September you may be able to spot Minke Whales. Due to the increases in Herring stock you may also be able to see Fin Whales, Pilot Whales and Humpback Whales, as well as Bottlenose dolphins and White-sided dolphins, who have all returned to the waters in recent years.
Saltburn-by-the-Sea
A long standing favourite with the gentry, a holiday in Saltburn-by-the-Sea will take you back to the Victorian days of promenading and summer balls. The golden sands stretch for five miles and are accompanied by a promenade and colourful beach huts.
The beach itself is long enough to be able to pick a peaceful spot. The dramatic cliffs of Huntcliffe to the east of the beach protect the sands from the strong winds, making it ideal for walking and sunbathing. The sea is choppy here, with direct access to the North Sea, making it one of the top spots for watching surfers as they take on some of the biggest waves in the UK.