About The Yorkshire Coast

About Whitby and the Surrounding Villages

One of the most picturesque ports in England, Whitby and its harbour are set in a ravine at the mouth of the River Esk. Dominated by the cliff top Abbey ruins, the narrow alleys and cobbled streets climb down to the busy quayside, with its harbour side houses and quaint shops filled with arts, crafts and antiques.

Whitby needs little in the way of introduction as it is one of the most popular seaside resorts in the region. Spend your days with a bucket and spade on the long sandy beach and when you’ve worked up an appetite, sample some of the seafood in one of the many cafes and restaurants that make the town so well-known far and wide!

There’s always something happening throughout the town, and festivals and fairs are held throughout the year including the Whitby Goth Festival, Whitby Folk Week and the Whitby Regatta.

The town has strong associations with Captain James Cook, who learned his seamanship in Whitby between voyages, including on ‘The Endeavour’, a replica of which has enjoyed many successful visits to the town. The Grand Turk, another rigged sailing vessel, is often seen moored near to the Tourist Information Centre within the town.

Whitby is divided by the old swing bridge which is opened sometimes during the day to allow entry and exit to the higher reaches of the river. On the west side of the town sits the modern seaside resort, while on the east side is Old Whitby, where you find the ruins of the famous Whitby Abbey. Beside this is the amazing St Mary’s Church with its famous triple pulpit and both can be reached by Whitby’s infamous 199 steps from a maze of old streets and alleyways.

The town also has historic associations with Bram Stoker’s Dracula who, as legend has it, came ashore in Whitby, lived here and is buried in St Mary’s churchyard. There is a brilliantly varied choice of eating places in the town including the famous, Magpie Café as well as a wonderful array of small shops, ideal for browsing.

About the Coastal Bays and Villages

Along the Yorkshire Coast, we have lots of holiday properties waiting for you. As well as some of the country’s most stunning landscapes and coastline, the Yorkshire Coast is dotted with quaint market towns and pretty villages just waiting to be explored.

The Yorkshire coast is lined with beautiful fishing villages and quaint market towns which help give holidaymakers an insight into everyday life here. The breathtaking coastline provides a picturesque backdrop for many of our holiday properties and offers guests easy access to many walking routes and cycle paths — perfect for those who want to get up close and personal with a wonderful array of wildlife, flora and fauna. These picture-postcard towns and villages include Robin Hood’s Bay, Staithes, Port Mulgrave, Ravenscar and Runswick Bay, all of which are close to the busier coastal resorts of Whitby and Scarborough.

Why not book yourself a Robin Hood’s Bay cottage holiday? Situated just six miles south of Whitby, Robin Hood’s Bay sits on the coast and has a notorious history involving pirates, smugglers and press gangs. The multitude of narrow alleyways and twisting cobbled streets must have many a tale to tell of bygone days. The village once had an important fishing community before sail gave way to steam, and once boasted one of the largest fishing fleets on the Yorkshire Coast. The salty characters that manned the fleet have long since gone to rest in the beautiful grey churchyard that sits overlooking the bay.

There is still fishing today in the Bay and the old fisherman’s cottages with their red pan tile roofs have changed minimally over time. This is a wonderful place to explore, made more magical by the sound of the sea in the background. Leafy paths and hedge rowed lanes, full of wildlife and flora, lead down to the shoreline which is a beachcomber’s paradise. A plethora of sandy and pebbly rock pools gives the young naturalist the fantastic opportunity to discover marine life, shells and fossils.

With Whitby six miles away and Scarborough less than twenty miles, Robin Hood’s Bay is an ideal touring base for the North York Moors, the coast and even a visit to York with its Jorvik Viking Centre and Castle Museum. Walkers will be in their element with a choice of coastal and moor walks, as well as the old railway line from Whitby to Scarborough. For something a bit different, there are riding and pony-trekking centres nearby, tennis courts, bowling and putting greens, as well as quaint gift shops and a fascinating museum. Treat yourself to a wonderful and varied self-catering stay in Robin Hood’s Bay.

About Scarborough and the Surrounding Villages

Whether you are looking for a traditional family holiday or a weekend getaway, Scarborough has all the ingredients for the perfect seaside break. From colourful seaside traditions, to bright beach huts, it is clear why Scarborough has remained one of Britain’s favourite seaside resorts for over one hundred years.

One of the original English seaside towns, Scarborough has been a firm family-favourite for coastal holidays for years and is a top tourist destination on the east coast of England. The Old Town is the ideal place to relax and indulge in some nostalgia thanks to streets lined with illuminated amusement arcades, quaint cafes, popular theatres as well as the famous sandy beach. This popular seaside town is surrounded by many picturesque towns and small villages, each offering something different for your holiday destination — from the hustle and bustle at the beach in Filey, to the tranquil rural countryside of Scalby.

Scarborough is hailed as ‘The Queen of the Yorkshire Coast’ and was one of the first English seaside resorts. A Spa town since 1622, the town was then visited by tourists eager to sample the therapeutic minerals waters which had just been discovered within it. It is still a thriving and exciting seaside resort today with lovely sands, donkeys and something for all of the family to enjoy.

In the 19th century, its fame vied with the Spas of Europe and fashionable visitors flocked to the town to stay in the magnificent hotels which can still be seen towering over the cliff tops with stunning views out to sea. The historic Scarborough Castle, dating back to the 12th century and although in ruins today, still provides a great history lesson for everyone and provides an insight into days gone by.

Scarborough is an all-year round town ideal for a family holiday, with two large sandy beaches, a busy fishing harbour and a yachting marina. There is also a fascinating Sea Life centre for the kids to enjoy and plenty of nightlife for the grown-ups, as well as a full calendar of events throughout the year including cricket games (Yorkshire C.C.), motorcycling on Oliver’s Mount, a student drama festival, a Shrovetide skipping festival and the sailing regatta in July.

The spectacular new Open Air Theatre attracts international stars such as Elton John and Jessie J. Other entertainment includes the Old Time Music Hall and concerts and films are shown at the Spa complex and the Futurist Theatre — where Ken Dodd has been a regular performer in the town for many years.

Possibly the greatest attraction is the surrounding area with the splendour of the North York Moors National Park, Dalby Forest and the rugged North Yorkshire coastline. Whitby is only a half hour drive away and York less than an hour. Other nearby places include Filey, Muston and Bridlington.