Port Mulgrave

A small, low-key hamlet on the cliffs between Staithes and Runswick Bay, once a working port that shipped ironstone. The harbour was built in 1856-57 and fell out of use around 1920, leaving weathered stonework and a sealed mine tunnel entrance at the cliff base.

• Ruined harbour walls and scattered masonry on the foreshore below the cliff
• A sealed tunnel mouth marking the old ironstone workings
• An industrial-heritage interpretation board near the hamlet, setting out the port's story
• Long views along a steep, actively eroding stretch of coast

The official beach access is steep and rough and includes a wooden ladder. Treat the descent as a scramble rather than a stroll, use both hands, and be honest about whether you want to climb back up. Allow plenty of daylight for the round trip.

• Check the tide before descending. The tide can cut off walkers on the foreshore.
• Coastal erosion and landslips affect these cliffs, so keep clear of the cliff base and the cliff edge above.
• Wear footwear with grip; the foreshore is rocky and uneven.

The foreshore is fossil-bearing. Look only at loose specimens already lying on the rocks and shingle. Do not dig into the cliffs or the old spoil, both for the sake of the site and your own safety.

• The Cleveland Way runs along the clifftop here.
• The clifftop stretch from Staithes to Port Mulgrave is about one mile.
• A four-mile circular linking Staithes and Port Mulgrave is a longer option.

The coast supports seabirds along the cliffs and marine life in the rock pools and shallows. Binoculars are worth carrying for both.

This is a small, quiet hamlet with limited facilities, so arrive self-sufficient with water, layers and anything else you need for the walk.