The village of Staithes is situated within the North York Moors National Park and nestles in to the cliffs either side of Roxby Beck and is protected from the North Sea by the cliffs of Cowbar Nab. The heart of Staithes is the tiny harbour with the traditional coble fishing boats bobbing against the tide and the RNLI Staithes and Runswick Lifeboat station. There has been an RNLI Lifeboat Station in Staithes for the last 140 years and the current lifeboat “Pride of Leicester” is regularly involved in rescues in both the surrounding area and beyond.
Historically Staithes (pronounced “Steers” by the locals) was an important fishing and smuggling community and in its heyday was once the largest fishing village on the north east coast. The rich history has created a unique environment in old Staithes village with fantastic sea captains’ houses interspersed amongst traditional fishermen’s cottages all set on cobbled streets and higgledy-piggledy alleyways snaking up the cliff side. Images of this bygone era were captured beautifully in the photography and sepia prints of Frank Meadow Sutcliffe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Staithes was also the home of Captain James Cook during his apprenticeship and the house in which he was based “Captain Cook’s Cottage” can still be found on the sea front at the bottom of Church Street. You can find out more about life in Staithes and the voyages of Captain James Cook in the Staithes Heritage Centre and Captain Cook Museum.
Staithes has always been a magnet for painters and was the base for the Staithes Group of Artists in the 19th and 20th centuries, most famously Dame Laura Knight, who lived in the village between 1900 and 1907. Artists continue to live and work in Staithes and their work is regularly exhibited at The Staithes Gallery. Rob Shaw, whose painting “Staithes Dreaming” is displayed on the Stay in Staithes website, was featured on BBC1 The One Show during 2008. Staithes is set right on the Cleveland Way, which runs 109 miles from Helmsley across the Cleveland Hills via Roseberry Topping to Saltburn by the Sea and then meanders along the coast to Filey taking in Whitby and Scarborough en route.
Whitby
The easiest way to travel to Staithes is by car. Whether approaching from the north or south the quickest route is via the A1. From the south take the A168/A19 off the A1 signposted to Teesside picking up the A173 to Great Ayton and Guisborough, where you should then turn right on to the A171 and continue for approximately 10 miles towards Whitby. On the A171 you are then looking for a left hand to Grinkle/Easington. Once in Easington turn right on to the A174 and continue for a further 2 miles in to Staithes. Alternatively you can take the more scenic route from the A1 via the A64 via York and Malton, then pick up the A169 to Whitby via Pickering. Once in Whitby pick up signs for the A174 Saltburn by the Sea. Travel for approximately 10 miles on the A174 through Sandsend, Lythe and Hinderwell before arriving in Staithes. From the north take the A689 off the following signs for Hartlepool and Teesside. Pick up the A19 towards Middlesbrough and then take a left on to the A174 following signs for Redcar. Once on the A174 continue all the way to Redcar and then pick up signs for Whitby – don’t be tempted to take the earlier signs off the A174! Continue through Loftus and Easington all the way through to Staithes. 
