If you’re after a cosy, scenic UK break, Staithes might just be the perfect place. This tiny fishing village on the North Yorkshire coast doesn’t have a huge list of “must-dos” but that’s exactly why we loved it. I spent four nights here with my mum and our family dog, and it was a lovely and relaxing staycation.
In this blog, I’ll share everything we got up to: an interesting (and slightly confusing) National Trail walk, a day trip to Whitby, our thoughts on the local pubs and tearooms, and some practical tips on where to stay, where to park (spoiler: not in the village), and what to know before you go. Whether you’re planning 2 nights or a longer break, this is your guide to enjoying the best of Staithes; steep hills, seagulls, crab sandwiches and all.
5 Essentials to Pack for Your Trip to Staithes
Before we get started, here are some of our favourite travel products we used and recommend for a Staithes weekend.
- Super Absorbent & Lightweight Dock & Bay Dog Towel
- Portable Power Bank with Cables
- Mountain Warehouse Waterproof Packable Jacket Women’s / Men’s
- Insulated Flask for Hot and Cold Drinks with 2 Cups
- Compact Backpack with Multiple Pockets
Where to stay in Staithes
Staithes is made up of colourful cottages that will have once been home to the families of local fishermen, now most have been converted into holiday rentals. There are a couple of small boutique hotels and rooms, but most visitors stay in a cosy, character-filled cottage.
We booked Flither Cottage through Booking.com but there are many others available. The great thing about staying in Staithes is that it’s all really walkable. Wherever you stay, you’ll be just a couple of minutes from the bay, pubs, tea rooms and shops.
One thing worth noting: there’s no supermarket in the village. There are a couple of tiny local shops, but they’re very limited and on the pricey side. We’d recommend popping to the Co-op just outside the village to stock up on basics before settling in. Trust me, future you will be very glad to have snacks, teabags and maybe a cheeky bottle of wine in the kitchen cupboards.
We stayed at Flither Cottage, a three-bed Fisherman’s Cottage at the entrance of the village. It was perfect for us, had a decent kitchen set-up so we could make tasty breakfasts to keep us fuelled for the day ahead, a powerful shower and even a cosy fireplace. You can view the cottage and book your stay via Booking.com.
Parking in Staithes
Let’s quickly talk parking because Staithes is very pretty, but it’s not car-friendly. Unless your rental cottage includes private parking (some do, most don’t), you’ll need to park your car at the top of the hill and walk down into the village. We drove down to unload all of our things, before driving back up and parking, which is what I would recommend, as carrying cases down the hill would be a challenge.
The two main car parks are clearly signposted. We used – Bank Top Car Park (I Park) – which costs £10 per day. You can pay online or use the machine (cash only), and there’s free WiFi in the car park. Reviews for the parking aren’t exactly glowing, but honestly, it’s totally fine as long as you pay when you arrive.
Where to Eat & Drink in Staithes
For a tiny village, Staithes still has quite the selection of pubs, tearooms and coffee shops. Just be prepared, prices here are on the steeper side (we’re talking nearly £18 for fish & chips!), but if you pick the right spot, it’s worth the spend. Here’s what we tried, what we loved, and what we’d maybe skip next time…
Pubs
Cod & Lobster
This was easily our favourite of the two pubs in the village. The Cod & Lobster sits on the harbour with some outdoor tables overlooking the bay, perfect for a sunny drink and a bit of people-watching. The food was delicious (and generous!), the staff were super friendly, and the gin selection was excellent. They also offer a takeaway menu, which is handy if you fancy a cosy night in. Pictured: Fish & Chips served with mushy peas and tartar sauce and the Scampi & Chips.
Royal George
We didn’t have the best experience here. The pub felt a bit outdated with crackly speakers, and the service wasn’t particularly welcoming. While the crab and prawn sandwiches were tasty, it didn’t quite justify the £15 price tag (that’s per sandwich!). That said, they do host a very popular Friday night pub quiz. We overheard them saying that they were fully booked, so we didn’t take part; instead, we headed for the local chippy and a night in.
Tearooms & Cafés
Cobbles is a lovely little spot serving Brymor and Ryeburn ice cream, paninis, cakes, and great barista coffee. It’s mostly a takeaway, but they do have indoor and outdoor seating, plus dog treats are available. We didn’t try their pizza night (Friday & Saturday from 5–8 pm), but it looked popular. They recommend pre-ordering – pizzas are around £12 each.
Betsy & Bo is half-sweet shop, half-café and… well, prepare your wallet. We weren’t overly wowed by the service, and their truffles and sweets are eye-wateringly expensive. The café sadly wasn’t open during the week in April, so it might be best saved for busier weekends or high season, but people rave about their hot chocolate, so it’s worth stopping by, if it’s open.
Dotty’s Vintage Tearoom is super cute, with quirky decor, vintage teapots, and the friendliest staff. They serve everything from bacon sarnies to homemade scones and toasted sandwiches. I think it’s a lovely dog-friendly stop for lunch or cake.
Sea Drift sits just opposite the beach and is perfect for grab-and-go goodies. They do a fab sandwich selection, strong coffee, and their famous “cobble cake” is not to be missed. Ideal for packing up a treat before a walk or enjoying a slice by the sea. Pictured: a slice of their famous Cobble Cake.
Special Mention: Excelsior Fisheries (The Local Chippy)
If you’re staying in one of the cottages and fancy a night in, we’d recommend grabbing a classic chippy tea from Excelsior Fisheries. Located just outside of the village at the top of the hill.
We ordered a cod & chips, haddock & chips, and a pot of their homemade tartar sauce and paid just under £20. The service was quick, the fish was fresh, and everything was cooked to perfection. They also do all the usual extras like mushy peas, curry sauce and pickled onions. Perfect for a Friday night with your feet up and Gogglebox on the telly.
National Trail Walk
As we had our family doggo, Mr Jones, along for the ride, we figured we should at least attempt one of the many walks from Staithes. We decided on a moderate 4-mile walk, following the Cleveland Way National Trail path. What we didn’t realise when we set off was that the map we were following was 12 years old and there were a few elements that confused us halfway round. But we made it! It took us around two hours, enjoying the views… well, it was incredibly misty, so we took what we could get, but I would imagine on a beautiful sunny day the views from here would be 10/10.
If you’d like to try this walk, you can check out the map and route instructions here.
Important points to note on the map:
(6) as far as we could tell the telephone box no longer exists so we ended up walking straight down to the end of the road where you’ll find St Hilda’s Church, it’s very historic and has a holy well in the churchyard. From here we turned right back towards Hinderwell Lane (A174).
(9) Walk along the path that’s heading back towards Staithes and we’ve now caught up with point 9 but the lay by has also disappeared. Instead, across the road you’ll see a a pathway that runs parallel to the main road, cross over and head down here, you’ll pass some farmers fields, they were full of sheep and lambs when we visited. Keep an eye out for the signpost and wooden steps on your left and head down.
(11) After negotiating those steps and fallen trees and general hazards, you’ll reach point 11, which tells you that the path swings sharply back on itself – here you’ll find a sign telling you that public access is no longer allowed – helpful, I know – here you’ll turn right and follow the pathway, eventually you’ll catch up with point 12 and head down past the caravan site on your righthand side.
(12) Once we arrived in Dalehouse we were looking forward to enjoying a cheeky drink at the Fox and Hounds pub (which is mentioned on the map) before heading back, but sadly they only open from 4 PM (this was mid-week in April 2025, so maybe it’s different hours in high season). Just be sure to bring your flask so you can enjoy a drink along the way.
It’s a relatively challenging walk, with steep hill climbs, steep wooden steps, fallen trees that you have to either climb over or under and some seriously confusing signposts, but we made it out alive and after around 2 hours we found ourselves back in Staithes village – where we headed to The Cod & Lobster for a well deserved pint.
A Day out in Whitby
Just 20 minutes from Staithes by car, Whitby is a brilliant little town for a day out. It really does have a little bit of everything: beach arcades with claw machines, 2p machines and dance games, rows of traditional pubs and candy floss stalls, and more fish and chips than you could ever dream of.
Wander the cobbled streets and you’ll find everything from old-fashioned sweet shops and handmade soaps to galleries, bookstores, and jewellers selling the famous local gemstone, Whitby jet. It’s also a great spot for those who want to bring their doggies with them, Jones had an amazing time sniffing around the harbour, swimming at the dog-friendly pebble beach, and even hopping aboard The Endeavour, a replica of Captain Cook’s ship that offers fun 20-minute cruises for just £5 (dogs go free!).
Of course, no trip to Whitby would be complete without a visit to the iconic Whitby Abbey, yes, the one made famous by Bram Stoker’s Dracula. The Abbey ruins sit atop 199 steps (we counted), and while we didn’t go in this time, you can explore the historic site for around £11 per adult (free for English Heritage members). We left with tired legs, salty smiles, and a new stuffed seagull toy that Jones proudly carried home.
What else is in Staithes?
Museum
A must-visit during your visit is the Staithes Museum, a treasure trove of local history. It’s small but incredibly well-curated, with over 4,000 fascinating artefacts, from Captain Cook memorabilia and maritime models to beautiful paintings, tools, and photographs that tell the story of this remarkable fishing village.
Entry is free, and the friendly volunteers are always happy to chat and share stories. Dogs are welcome inside, and there’s a small gift shop where you can pick up a postcard or trinket to take home. Donations are warmly encouraged, and every pound helps keep this community-run museum open for future visitors. We highly recommend popping in, even just for half an hour.
Shops
There’s just one main shop in Staithes village — a small convenience-style store that stocks a little bit of everything. You’ll find drinks, snacks, a few household essentials, firewood kits (perfect if your cottage has a fireplace), and plenty of seaside trinkets like magnets, tea towels, toys, buckets, spades, and even boogie boards for the kids. It’s a handy place if you’ve forgotten anything, but prices are on the higher side, so we’d recommend doing a quick stop at the Co-op just outside the village for breakfast supplies or cheaper snacks. It’s about a 20-minute walk or a 3-minute drive from the main car park at the top of the hill.
Staithes Gallery
Staithes Gallery showcases stunning work from contemporary artists who are inspired by the rugged beauty of the North Yorkshire coast and moors. It’s a lovely space to explore, and a great way to support local creatives.
The gallery has even had a bit of fame, recently appearing on BBC’s Countryfile and Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes. You might spot familiar scenes if you check them out on iPlayer. If you’re an artist yourself or just fancy trying something new, the gallery also runs 4-day painting holidays throughout the year. To find out more, drop an email to lyntonartist@gmail.com.
Whether you’re visiting for windswept coastal walks, cosy pub lunches, or simply to slow down, Staithes is the perfect spot for a peaceful UK break. There’s a little something for everyone, from history lovers and art enthusiasts to dog walkers and tea room hoppers. I hope this guide helps you plan the perfect weekend visit. Just don’t forget your waterproof and a towel for the doggo!
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Sending warm thoughts from a slightly chilly Staithes,
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