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Writer's pictureMark Curtis

5 family and dog friendly beaches in and around Staithes

One of the benefits of booking a cottage break in staithes is access to some amazing coastline, scenery, and of course, beaches. Here are 5 of our favourites, all within a 20 minute drive of Staithes itself. ( Although the nearest is 2 minutes walk from Churchview Cottage)


1.Staithes Beach

Staithes beach may be small but its perfectly formed. Only 2 minute walk from Churchview cottage, you will always find people on the beach, walking dogs, searching for fossils , admiring the fishing boats or just enjoying the sunshine. Perfect for small children in the summer as it has a gently sloping sand beach and no waves.


You only have to wander a little further afield to check out some of the amazing beaches around Staithes. With its dramatic Jurassic coastline this area of North Yorkshire and Teeside lays claim to some of the best sandy beaches in the whole of the country.


2.The beach at Runswick Bay


Only a couple of miles south of staithes Runswick Bay was named as Britains best beach in a 2020 Sunday Times article ( https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-53539789 ). Approached via a steep bank with spectaular views of the bay, down the hill you will find a tea room, watersports equipment rental and a fantastic beach for simply walking or sunbathing in the summer. The car park only holds 80 cars so the beach never gets very busy. A car park ticket at Runswick is valid in Sandsend and Whitby so one ticket gets you parking at three beaches :)


3. Saltburn beach and pier

Only 15 minutes north of Staithes you can find the Victorian town of Saltburn-by-the-sea ( or simply Saltburn), On its wide expanse of beach you will find surfers year round, a level promenade with beach huts to rent and both a Victorian steel pier and workig funicular railway to the main town. Saltburn beach is a great place to visit anytime of the year ( photo was taken New Years Day 2023)


4. Skinningrove's 'hidden' Jurassic beach

A stunning beach hidden from view and always with very few people on it , this is a perfect place for a dog walk or to enjoy some sun on your face. You will need to bring what you need with you as its not yet been commercialised in any way, To be found only 10 minutes north of Staithes between the village and Saltburn, Skinningrove beach can be found by heading through skinningrove village to the gravel car park ( free all year around). From there follow the path to the 'cut' in the hillside ( that used to take iron ore by rail from the village) and as you pass through the gap the view that opens up to you is that of the photograph above - always brings a smile to our faces..


5.Sandsend Beach

A 15 minute drive south of Staithes will bring you to the coastal retreat of Sandsend with its chocolate box houses along the beck. What also draws visitors, is the wide expanse of sandy beachline at sandsend , with its dramatic views along the coastline to Whitby , with the Abbey silhoutted in the distance. There is a cafe and great spot for alfresco lunch at the fish cottage just 20 yrds from the beach. Always worth taking a look at the tides before setting off for the beach jsut to be sure that its sand and not waves you will be strolling through!





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