The Yorkshire Coast runs from fishing villages like Staithes and Robin Hood’s Bay, through Whitby with its abbey on the cliff, to Scarborough’s two bays and the chalk cliffs and seabirds around Flamborough. Expect fish and chips, fossils and bracing walks.
Saltburn is my favourite place to go, but I wouldn’t recommend it as a holiday destination. It’s got a great cliff, lots of fossils, and the best fish and chips I’ve ever had. It a great stop as part of a bigger itinerary.
The Yorkshire Coast at a Glance
- From London: train to York (about 2 hours), then under an hour on to Scarborough. Whitby is harder by train, so most people drive or take the bus.
- How long to stay: two or three nights.
- Do you need a car? It helps, but buses link Scarborough, Robin Hood’s Bay and Whitby.
- Where to base yourself: Whitby for the north coast and the Moors; Scarborough for the best train links.
- Best time to visit: June to September. Late spring and early summer are best for seabirds, including puffins at Bempton Cliffs.
My Yorkshire Coast Guides
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12 Best Things to Do in Whitby, England (Abbey, Steps and Dracula)
The best things to do in Whitby: the 199 steps and Whitby Abbey, Captain Cook’s house, fish and chips, Whitby jet, the beach to Sandsend, the steam railway and more.
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10 Best Things to Do in Scarborough, England
The best things to do in Scarborough: the castle, South Bay and North Bay, the Victorian cliff tramway, Peasholm Park’s naval battle, the Rotunda Museum and more.
Explore More of Yorkshire
- York: the Minster, the Shambles and the city walls.
- Yorkshire Dales: waterfalls, stone villages and the walks I do from home.
- North York Moors: heather moorland, steam trains and abbey ruins.
- Harrogate: my favourite town, with spas, gardens and Bettys.
- Plan your Yorkshire trip: getting here, getting around and how many days you need.
- Yorkshire itineraries and road trips: how to split your time.