Staithes holiday cottages
Once a thriving fishing port, this timeless coastal hamlet in North Yorkshire, with its winding streets, quaint little cottages and beach nestles quietly amongst steep sided cliffs – an ideal base for discovering the north east coastline and perfect for bird watchers and fossil hunters alike.
Historic coastal holiday cottages
Staithes has retained its heritage by way of the traditional coble boats and cobble streets, inhabiting its peaceful space alongside cheerful residents. Staithes is certainly a great choice for a quiet holiday in North Yorkshire. Staithes, in Old English, meant landing place, and its charming streets welcome holidaymakers with the comforting embrace previously sought by sea weary sailors.
This area has gained the nickname ‘Dinosaur Coast’ for a reason, and a great holiday for history buffs and budding geologists / archaeologists, due to the number of discovered fossils and ancient buildings in the area. As well as the beautiful British architecture, there is an amazing natural heritage to explore, walks along the Boulby Cliffs or turning inland for sightseeing in the North York Moors National Park yield stunning views. There is certainly plenty of dog walks near Staithes, and many stunning cycle routes along the Yorkshire coast, from which to take in the sights.
What to do in Staithes
A walk from the beach up the Staithes Beck River, which the town straddles like an eager fisherman, sitting and taking time to appreciate the natural beauty of the area, watching the lovingly crafted ships ebb and flow with the tide, perhaps while Otis Redding’s Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay drifts softly from a nearby window, is just an introduction to what this quiet hamlet has to offer. Truly, this is the quintessential seaside cottage getaway, allowing retreat from life’s relentless pace amongst its down-to-Earth atmosphere, quiet temperament and breath-taking natural surroundings.
However, the modern convenience of restaurants and stores has, thankfully, not escaped this area, making the holiday experience familiarly comfortable. Sea views, sea food and welcoming staff are available at the 200-year-old Endeavour. Meanwhile, the modern Cobbles caters to different tastes, showcasing the variety of dining in Staithes. Concerning stores, there is one charming gift shop, an archaic sweet shop, general stores and a Co-op, so stocking up on arrival will be a walk in the park.
Staithes is also the location for the BBC’s CBeebies programme ‘Old Jack’s Boat’, which stars veteran Jackanory and Womble’s narrator, Bernard Cribbins as retired fisherman Old Jack, alongside his trusty hound Salty. Fans of the show will easily identify many of the locations from the show while exploring.
Day trips from Staithes
Short drives from Staithes open your holiday up to even more history, beauty and coastal bliss. The most notable nearby town, the bustling port of Whitby, is just 25 minutes away. Whitby contains similar quaint beauty, with promising day trips to the Museum of Victorian Science and Whitby Abbey comfortably within reach of the towns thriving centre. Delving into the towns centre, you will find the fish and chips, quirky stores and traditional tea houses that make coastal England such a popular destination. You might also like to consider one of our holiday cottages in Whitby.
Other activities available in the area include boat tours, allowing a unique perspective on the local coastline, coastal foraging for the next big fossil find, and an ancient paint palette experience, where you learn about the origins of painting, learn how to make your own paint and create your own art. The previously mentioned North York Moors also contain an activity centre, where guided walks, cycle hire, kids indoor and outdoor play areas and much more can be found.
Booking a holiday cottage in Staithes
A selection of the vacation rentals in Staithes are displayed below. To find the best one for you, use our filter options to the left, to narrow down what’s available until you find your favourite.
At any point, please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have about booking a holiday cottage in Staithes – we’re happy to help with all questions about the cottages and to give you advice before you go ahead and book.
You might also like to read our blog post on what to do in Whitby and the surrounding area.