North Yorkshire is blessed with close to 100 miles of beautiful coastline. Rugged, dramatic and ever-changing, the coast has long been a source of fascination, inspiration, relaxation and reflection for both visitors and the communities that call it home.
When you visit North Yorkshire’s coastline you will find each point is different, featuring grand imposing cliffs, far-reaching golden sandy beaches and intriguing rock formations filled with rock pools and sea life.
Seaside activities have the perfect home on the coast whether you want to make sandcastles with young (or not-so-young) ones, go looking for crabs, anemones or periwinkles, or try hunting for fossils. You can enjoy long walks where your dogs can run and run, or merely sit with your thoughts, contemplate and watch the tide as it slowly ebbs and flows.
Discover the character of the Yorkshire Coast
Natural England has defined much of the North Yorkshire coastline as a Heritage Coast. This is due to its incredible landscape and natural habitat value.
Along its cliffs and beaches are an eclectic mix of pretty coastal villages and seaside towns, each with a distinctive feel and all worthy of exploration.
Whitby is a fishing port with the sea in its bones, once the third largest shipbuilding town in England and the town where Captain James Cook learnt his trade. Whitby grew from its small origins through trade, whaling and fishing. The harbour forms the centrepiece of the town as it is today. Looking out over the bay you will see Whitby Abbey, a partially ruined Benedictine Abbey that makes an impressive addition to the skyline.
From the lively to the peaceful
Scarborough is Britain’s original seaside resort and has been attracting visitors for almost 400 years and offers all the fun of the seaside to this day. The town has two stunning beaches, seaside amusements, fairground attractions and delicious seafood. Scarborough is also host to a spectacular castle, Scarborough Spa, a Sea Life Centre allowing you to see below the waves, a miniature railway and an open-air theatre that plays host to some of the biggest names of international live music including Tom Jones, Lewis Capaldi and Kylie Minogue.
Between these towns are the coastal villages, such as Robin Hood’s Bay, Staithes, Runswick Bay and Sandsend with their own tales and stories. These idyllic communities have rich histories steeped in fishing, smuggling and intrigue.
The coast has been the setting for dramatic stories of both fact and fiction, from tales of smuggling and naval conflict to the arrival of Count Dracula in Mary Shelley’s ever-popular gothic horror.
A visit to the coast is guaranteed to create treasured memories for all the family and is the perfect way to discover North Yorkshire.
Discover the Yorkshire Coast
