Yorkshire: A coastal road trip

At the end of the summer I packed my bag and went on a really enjoyable road trip along the spectacular coast of North Yorkshire – without getting into a car.

I visited four places on my journey and captured them with my camera. View the photos and read more below.

Tap/click first image to see gallery

: Staithes

: Whitby

: Runswick Bay

: Saltburn

: Staithes

: Whitby

: Staithes

$Seagulls line a silvery \whitby beach after sunset$: Whitby

: Runswick Bay

: Saltburn

: Whitby

: Whitby

: Staithes

: Runswick Bay

: Saltburn

: Whitby

: Staithes

: Whitby

: Whitby

: Staithes

: Whitby

: Whitby

: Runswick Bay

: Whitby

: Whitby

: Whitby

: Saltburn

: Staithes

I boarded a three-hour TransPennine Express train journey from Manchester to Redcar in the north-east of England, and a shuttle train took me the short distance to the coast.

Saltburn was my first port of call, but some grey, drizzly weather curtailed my stay. It’s a traditional seaside resort with sandy beaches, a slender pier and a funicular built for genteel Victorians and now a novelty for visitors. I caught the X4 bus which runs along this Yorkshire coastal stretch – my regular lift for the next few days.

Staithes is a pretty harbour village with visitors in mind, with many places to eat and buy gifts. When the sun came out, the colours popped and it was a pleasure to explore. Climb higher for bird’s eye views, clifftop panoramas and a breathtaking sunset if you’re lucky. I stayed overnight in a comfy pub with a hearty breakfast to set me up for another day on the coast.

Runswick Bay isn’t far on the bus. While smaller than Staithes, it’s sat beside a beautiful curve of sand. It feels far more tranquil than the likes of Saltburn and is a place to relax and enjoy being by the sea. There are fewer amenities but that may well keep the hordes away.

Whitby, my final stop, is a coastal mecca with a lot of offer, from its Dracula connection, astonishing ruined abbey on the clifftop and tasty seafood. Its streets take some exploring and this hilly town is full of steps. I stayed here for the night and beat the crowds with a very early start for sunrise – my top tip if you want Whitby to yourself.

My mini adventure ended with a train back to Manchester. There are some trips that are a headache without a car, but this wasn’t one of them. I’m still looking back on these photographs and enjoying those recent summer memories.