Staithes - quaint and quiet

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With its higgledy-piggledy cottages and winding streets, Staithes has the air of a place lost in time. Once one of the largest fishing ports on the North East coast, this coastal hamlet is now a well-loved base for exploring Yorkshire's cliff top paths and discovering the delights of rock pooling and fossil hunting on the small sandy beach. Unfortunately, we arrived when the tide was out, which rendered the cliff top `picture postcard` view, a bit of a damp squid!!



A couple of views from the beach showing the village, as well as some of the boats moored near the harbour.


One of Staiths`s great sons was James Cook (1728-1779), born in the village of Marton near Middlesbrough and later apprenticed to a draper in the small fishing harbour of Staithes (11 miles north of Whitby). He fell in love with the sea and his time in Staithes is remembered in the Captain Cook and Staithes Heritage Centre. Later he moved to Whitby and became a trainee with a local shipping firm. Later, he joined the Royal Navy and was rapidly promoted to a command. 
It is as Captain Cook that the world still knows him – the man who charted the coast of New Zealand and the eastern coast of Australia and who was one of the greatest surveyors as well as one of the finest sailors and explorers of all time. He learned his craft in Whitby vessels trading to the Baltic and two of the vessels he used on his long and perilous voyages – ‘Resolution’ and ‘Endeavour’ were built in Whitby. 


The usual quaint village street from this part of the world, so lovely to walk and soak up the atmosphere.



One of the usual lovely photos that everybody takes is from the cliffs looking down on Staithes. However, for us today, the tide was out! So, not much of an image I am afraid.



One of the points of interest I find in these old villages, is the variety and quirkiness of the windows and doors. Staiths being a prime example. 


We might have missed the tide, but it was a pleasure to stroll the village and the beach and just soak in the peace and tranquility.


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