Best time to go
Early morning, or outside fine weekends, is quieter and easier for parking. Low tide suits the shore platforms; low sun suits photography. Bring grippy footwear, a waterproof, a tide table, water and binoculars.
Overview
About Staithes
Why stop
- Harbour and cliff views in one compact coastal stop
Heads up
- Steep, strenuous climb back to Bank Top
- Tide-dependent shore with slippery rocks below unstable cliffs
The name means landing place, and that is still the point of the village. Cottages crowd a narrow beck mouth, the harbour sits sheltered between Cowbar Nab and Penny Nab, and the old lanes twist between them. Among them is Dog Loup, a snicket just 45cm wide. In the 1800s this was a major fishing port with over 300 men and their cobles, and some mackerel, lobster and crab fishing remains today. Artists value the light here, which is why galleries sit among the cottages.
Parkwolf’s verdictWhy stopMap
Where it is
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Before you go
Best time to go
Access and amenities
8 active North York Moors alerts
- ClosureHawnby Bridleway 110 closurePublic Bridleway 25.122/110/1 in Hawnby is closed to pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians because its bridge is unsafe. - The closure is between grid references SE 5309 9073 and SE 5335 9097.Official details
- ClosureWest Ayton Footpath 1 closurePublic Footpath 1 in West Ayton (Forge Valley) is temporarily closed because its boardwalk is unsafe. - The closure is between SE 9860 8494 and SE 9839 8712.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
North York Moors Tour Guide
Your drive to Staithes, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for North York Moors National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
Recorded for this place
Staithes Village and Harbour0:00 / 0:30
“Up ahead is Staithes, where cottages crowd around a small working harbour. Leave the car at the top of the village and walk down, allowing for the steep climb back.”
Plays as you drive up to Staithes in the Parkwolf North York Moors Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Follow the Birds to a Minke
- Port Mulgrave's Ironstone Harbour
- The Gull That Says Its Name
- Cook Before the Sea
- 298 audio storiesacross North York Moors’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Eurasian Otter, Red Deer, Grey Seal, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 126 trails, 65 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Guide
More about Staithes
What to see and doWander the old lanes and the harbour walls, then look back at the cliffs from the beach.
- Wander the old lanes and the harbour walls, then look back at the cliffs from the beach.
- Staithes Museum holds more than 4,000 objects covering fishing, Captain Cook, the lost railway, fossils and mining.
- Walk the Cleveland Way about a mile to Port Mulgrave, where ruined ironstone harbour works lie below the cliff.
- Browse the galleries and shops, then stop at a cafe, pub or restaurant.
Geology and wildlifeThe shore exposes Lower Jurassic Staithes Sandstone and Cleveland Ironstone, with fossiliferous…
The shore exposes Lower Jurassic Staithes Sandstone and Cleveland Ironstone, with fossiliferous shales. The wave-cut platforms are tide dependent, often algae slick, and sit below unstable shale cliffs, so check the tide, keep clear of the cliff base and do not dig into faces. In late summer, herring can draw minke whales and dolphins offshore, so bring binoculars.
Honest drawbacksThe steep walk back up is the main effort, lanes are narrow and uneven, and shore access…
The steep walk back up is the main effort, lanes are narrow and uneven, and shore access depends entirely on tide and cliff conditions.
Wildlife
Wildlife in North York Moors
15 sightingsEurasian OtterMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
10 sightingsRed DeerMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
79 sightingsGrey SealMost seen around noonSighting map
26 sightingsWestern Barn OwlMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
33 sightingsEuropean BadgerMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
10 sightingsMute SwanMost seen around noonSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across North York Moors. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
