Staithes
Staithes on the Yorkshire coast is one of the most atmospheric fishing villages in northern England, a settlement of red-roofed cottages packed into a ravine descending to a narrow harbour between the spectacular headlands of Cowbar Nab and Penny Nab. The village was the birthplace of the young James Cook's mercantile career, the future circumnavigator arriving to serve as a shopkeeper's apprentice before the sea drew him first to Whitby and then to the Royal Navy. The village descends steeply from the clifftop through a series of steps and narrow lanes to the harbour below, still used by a small fleet of fishing boats. Staithes has been a centre for artists since the late nineteenth century when a colony of painters formed the Staithes Group, recognising the quality of the light and the dramatic character of the village. The tradition of artists working here continues and several galleries and studios in the village reflect the ongoing creative response to this exceptional setting. The Cleveland Way coastal path traversing the headlands connects Staithes with Runswick Bay to the south, providing some of the finest cliff walking in Yorkshire. The combination of the village character, the fishing heritage, the Cook connection and the coastal scenery makes Staithes one of the most rewarding destinations on the northeast coast.