The North Yorkshire and Cleveland Heritage Coast is encompassed within National Park boundary and is for the most part rugged and wild.  It is one of the finest stretches of undeveloped coastline in the country. This dramatic coastline, which runs for 36 miles (58k) from Saltburn by the Sea to Scalby Ness near Scarborough, has some spectacular cliffs at Boulby (top right).

There are rocky coves, miles of sandy beaches and a scattering of picture postcard fishing villages. Either side of Whitby, hidden between the steep cliffs, are the tiny fishing villages of Staithes and Robin Hood’s Bay (second right).

The area is rich in remnants of past lives – in the jet workings near Whitby, the alum workings and ancient rutways near Ravenscar (bottom right). The rocks of the Yorkshire coast are world famous for their fossils and above all, ammonites. They can be found everywhere on the Dinosaur Coast between Ravenscar and Saltburn, so-called  because the cliffs are made up of massive sandstones, sometimes containing dinosaur footprints. Whitby Museum is home to a unique collection of Lower Jurassic fossils, including ammonites.

Thomason Foss, Eller Beck

“Heartbeat” Country

Holmleigh Guest House

Bed & Breakfast In Whitby

 

 

 

The harbour is still a working port, and is home to working boats and pleasure craft alike. Whitby is the home port of The Grand Turk which featured in the TV series “Hornblower”.

 

The house on Grape Lane where Captain James Cook, Britain’s greatest seafarer and explorer, lodged as an apprentice is now The Captain Cook Memorial Museum. Shipping is part of Whitby’s life and it was in the Endeavour, a Whitby-built ship that Captain Cook sailed on his epic voyages of discovery. 

 

Whitby Abbey, originates from the 7^th century and produced “England’s first poet”, Caedmon, who is commemorated by a stone cross near the top of the famous 199 steps.  The present ruins, which can be reached from the town by the steps, date from 1220.  The town has long been the inspiration for many authors including Lewis Carroll but is mostly associated with Bram Stoker’s classic tale of “Dracula”.

The Historic Port of Whitby

The North York Moors National Park encompasses some of the most varied and dramatic scenery in  the country. It is best known for having the largest expanse of heather moorland in England.  In summer, a carpet of purple stretches as far as the eye can see.

In autumn the bracken turns to rusty gold. The upland areas contrast with the scenic rolling landscape of the dales and villages and the rocky Heritage Coast.

The North York Moors National Park

The Heritage Coast

The River Esk, is the only salmon and sea trout river in Yorkshire being the only one to flow east into the sea at Whitby. The source of the River Esk can be found high on the North Yorks Moors on a remote part of heather moor land following the route of the Esk Valley Walk.

Eskdale is the principal valley of the North York Moors. The Esk Valley is lined with attractive villages many of which have railway stations linked by the 

These pretty villages act as gateways to the side valleys of Baysdale, Westerdale, Danby Dale, Little and Great Fryupdales, Glasidale and the Murk Esk.

The main side valley of the Murk Esk runs south from Grosmont to the moorland village of Goathland.  The North Yorks Moors Railway passes through the village and was the location for Hogsmead Station in the Harry Potter films.

During the summer months, steam trains link the picturesque Esk Valley line from Whitby to the North Yorks Moors Railway at Grosmont, the longest steam railway in England. 

The River Esk

The pretty seaside village of Sandsend, popular with both watersports enthusiasts and families alike, is approximately three miles north of Whitby and can be reached by walking along the beach at low water.

Around Whitby

Further up the coast are the picturesque little fishing villages of Staithes (left) and Runswick Bay, both regular haunts of artists and photographers.

 

The smugglers cove of Robin Hoods Bay, with its steep access is just down the coast. from Whitby.  Venture into the many alleyways and feel as if you are being transported back hundreds of years.

Inland, the scattered hamlet of Goathland made famous as the fictional village of Aidensfield as featured in the long running TV series “Heartbeat “is only a short drive away from Whitby. Now enjoying celebrity status, Goathland has worldwide appeal and it is quite possible you may come across the cast and crew filming in or around Whitby, on the narrow winding country lanes.

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway which runs 18 miles from Grosmont to Pickering through the old glacial valley of Newtondale, at  the very heart of the moors, has many special events taking place throughout the year.

About the Area

J.V.Box