by Janis / 0 comments - Orginally published:18th November 2025
Harbour-side village & Seaside nostalgia
After our nostalgic stay in the historic harbour town of Whitby on the North Yorkshire coastline, we head off to visit the quaint hillside port village of Staithes and the nostalgic seaside town of Saltburn-by-the-Sea.
We visited Staithes and Saltburn-by-the-Sea prior to heading south-west to Ripon. However, I would definitely recommend basing yourselves in Whitby to explore the surrounding moors and coastline.
Our visit to Staithes and Saltburn-by-the-Sea was part of our Yorkshire EV road trip. Before heading to Whitby, we visited the beautiful Cathedral city of York.
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Where is Staithes & Saltburn-by-the-Sea?
How to get to Staithes & Saltburn-by-the-Sea
- By Car
If you’re approaching from the South, take the A174 from Whitby, which is only around 11 miles, and Saltburn is just 9 miles a little further along.
- By Coach
You can travel to Whitby via National Express coaches, which offers a direct service from Leeds and York and then an onward bus to Staithes and Saltburn..
- By Air
The closest airports to Staithes and Saltburn-by-the-Sea are Leeds/Bradford Airport and Newcastle Airport. From here, hire a car from Rental Cars.
Escape for a few days
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A brief history of Staithes & Saltburn
Tales around every cornerThe charming harbour-side village of Staithes is a small but historically rich fishing village located on the North Yorkshire coast of England, and only about ten miles north of Whitby. Staithes is situated in a deep, sheltered valley where the Staithes Beck flows into the North Sea. Staithes is embraced by lofty cliffs, a backdrop that has shaped its character and history for centuries.
Looking towards Staithes harbour
The name Staithes comes from Old Norse, meaning “landing place” or “staging place,” reflecting its Viking roots and long maritime association.
By the 18th & 19th centuries, Staithes had grown into a thriving fishing community, once home to more than 200 fishermen who worked a fleet of traditional cobles, a flat-bottomed fishing boats ideal for beach landings.
One of Staithes’s most famous associations is with Captain James Cook. Before James became Britain’s legendary explorer, Cook worked as a shopkeeper’s apprentice in Staithes around 1745.
Cowbar Bank
Just a few miles north of Staithes is Saltburn-by-the-Sea, perched on the dramatic North Yorkshire coast. It has a fascinating blend of Victorian spirit, seaside charm, and industrial heritage. Before the Victorian era, the area that would become Saltburn-by-the-Sea was little more than a cluster of cottages known as Old Saltburn, nestled by the shore near Hunt Cliff.
Looking along Saltburn Pier
This tiny fishing hamlet was home to smugglers and fishermen, and legend has it that the infamous smuggler John Andrew was active here in the late 18th century, hiding contraband in caves along the rugged coastline. The smugglers in this lovely town could have given Rye in East Sussex a run for its money.
Stretching into the North Sea
In 1869, the delightful Saltburn Pier opened, marking the first iron pier on the northeast coast, stretching 1,500 feet into the North Sea. In 1884, the pier was followed by the construction of the Saltburn Cliff Lift. The funicular railway, which connected the clifftop town to the Victorian seafront below.
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Strolling the cobbled lanes of Staithes
Exploring the historic streetsIt was an absolute pleasure visiting the historic fishing village of Staithes, on the rugged North Yorkshire coastline. We arrived reasonably early in the morning, and it felt like we’d stepped back in time; the quaint, narrow lanes were so peaceful.
Staithes Lane
Staithes was once one of the largest fishing ports on this stretch of the Yorkshire coast, and still today Staithes retains all the charm of its 18th century roots.
We parked at the top of the village and headed down Staithes Lane, all the while knowing that we had to tackle this steep lane on the way back. But hey, the sun was shining. The descent reveals one of the most picturesque views in Yorkshire: the jumble of houses nestled between two towering cliffs, with the Beck winding its way through the heart of the village.
High Street, Staithes
The Royal George
As we strolled further and further down the High Street, a maze of narrow cobbled lanes meandered off in all directions. Quaint fishermen’s cottages huddled together and red-tiled rooftops clinging to the cliffs where the North Sea meets the moors.
Where to stay near Staithes & Saltburn-by-the-Sea
Royal Whitby
This traditional clifftop hotel overlooks the North Sea with stunning views across to Whitby Abbey. It’s around a 10-minute walk down to Whitby’s historic harbour and offers a warm, friendly atmosphere.
EV charging points are available in their on-site parking.
Yorkshire Tourist Information
If you’re tempted to visit Staithes and Saltburn-by-the-Sea, the Visit North Yorkshire and the Welcome to Yorkshire websites are the place to head. They are full of extremely useful information and include handy pointers for around the county of Yorkshire.
Staithes quaint harbour
Meandering Staithes BeckOnce down in the old quarter of Staithes, wander along the High Street and Church Street, where you’ll find small galleries, cafés, and cosy pubs like the Cod & Lobster, perched right on the waterfront, a survivor of countless North Sea storms.
Staithes Harbour
Staithes Quay is so charming, and at low tide, the small beach and harbour walls tempt kids, young and old, to venture off on an exploration of the rockpools which are full of tiny sea life. From Staithes, you can join the Cleveland Way National Trail, which offers stunning coastal walks.
Staithes Beck
We amble around to Staithes Beck, the small tidal stream that runs through the heart of Staithes before flowing into the North Sea. Staithes Beck descends from the Cleveland Hills, gathering water from the surrounding moorland before carving a deep, narrow valley known locally as Staithes Beck Valley.
Cowbar Bank, North Side
Bank of Staithe Beck
Once Staithes Beck reaches the coast, it divides the village into two parts; the Cowbar on the west bank, accessed via the high stone bridge and where you’ll spot Staithes RNLI Station. On the east side is Staithes village, where the main cluster of cottages resides.
It is delightful to discover this part of Staithes, which is full of so much history and overflowing with charm.
Exploring Saltburn-by-the-Sea
History meets nostalgiaThe modern town of Saltburn was founded in 1861, almost from scratch, by Henry Pease, a member of the famous Darlington Pease family. The Quaker industrialists were deeply involved in the expansion of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, the world’s first public railway to use steam locomotives.
Saltburn-by-the-Sea Pier entrance
Saltburn was created by laying out elegant grid-like streets, crescents, and gardens. By the 1860s and 1870s, villas, hotels, and boarding houses sprang up, along with tree-lined boulevards.
Like many British seaside resorts, Saltburn faced decline in the mid-20th century as overseas travel became more accessible. Yet, unlike some faded resorts, Saltburn has retained its charm and authenticity. In recent decades, Saltburn has enjoyed a renaissance and is now brimming with nostalgic seaside charm.
Saltburn-by-the-Sea, coastline
Saltburn’s sandy beach stretches for miles beneath dramatic cliffs; however, two of the incredible Victorian treasures of Saltburn-by-the-Sea are Saltburn Pier and the Saltburn Cliff Tramway.
In 1869, the Saltburn Pier opened and rapidly became the centrepiece of Victorian leisure, offering elegant promenades and sea air to visitors arriving by rail from the industrial heartlands of Yorkshire and County Durham.
Saltburn Pier
To connect the pier and seafront with the clifftop town, the Saltburn Cliff Tramway, which opened in 1884, and is a marvel of Victorian engineering. Saltburn Cliff Lift remains one of the world’s oldest working water-balanced funicular railways.
Saltburn Cliff Tramway
The Saltburn tramway cars have been beautifully restored and still operate as they did over a century ago.
Both Saltburn-by-the-Sea and Staithes are beautiful places to visit along the North Yorkshire coastline, offering an incredible insight into British history.
We have a new little book on our shelves that we delve into when we're heading to the coast.
Packed full of historical facts, and broken down into the different counties of England. It tells tales of the history of the shoreline that surrounds our country.
Available in Kindle & Hardback editions, it's an excellent addition to anyone's collection who loves the English seaside.
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