WHITBY

Whitby is famous for many things, one being the beautiful 13th century Abbey which dominates the town from its cliff top position. This is also where Captain Cook sailed from on his voyages across the world. The 199 steps lead up from the Old Town to the parish church of St. Mary’s, the churchyard here gave Bram Stoker the inspiration to write his world famous Dracula book. The town often has ‘Goth’ weekends and there is a Dracula museum. The town is built around the River Esk and borders the North Yorkshire Moors National Park and has an award-winning beach beneath the West Cliff. The Whitby Pavillion has entertainment throughout the year.

FILEY

Filey is a small, traditional seaside resort, just 7 miles south of Scarborough. The atmosphere is very relaxed and is the perfect destination for a pleasant family day out. Find a safe, sandy beach and a lovely promenade with stalls, mini golf, paddling pool and the famous cobble landing. Just to the north is Filey Brigg, a narrow headland, just a few yards wide in places which reaches out into the North Sea like a tail. At low tide, an escarpment of rocks reaches a mile out to sea. This has been the final destination for many boats and ships over the years. Well worth a visit, but check the tide times if you venture out onto the rocks.

ROBIN HOOD'S BAY

A village which clings to the steep cliffs with “secret streets” which were home to smugglers many moons ago. This is where the moors meet the coast in spectacular fashion and where you’ll find one of Britain’s greatest villages. This is also the end point of the Coast to Coast walk and what a treat for those who complete the route. But here it’s not just about the spectacular coastline, the narrow streets just a few feet wide some of them, are the real attraction. Get lost here and while and you too will come under its spell!

BEMPTON CLIFFS

The RSPB Reserve is set on the Flamborough Headland and is one of the most spectacular coastal locations in the UK, with chalk cliffs which rise to 330ft in places. It is also home to one of the country's largest colonies of seabirds. Here you can find Gannets, Puffins, Guiilemots, Kittiwakes and Fulmars. The best time of year to visit is probably early summer. The Reserve is accessed from Bempton Village on the Reighton to Flamborough road. Reighton is on the A165 Scarborough to Bridlington road.

FLAMBOROUGH HEAD

Flamborough Head is technically the 8 mile peninsular which reaches out into the north sea, but is really describing what's at the end of the headland. Here find not one but two lighthouses. The older sates back to 1674 and is the oldest complete lighthouse in the country! The newer one dates back to the 1800's and is open to the public to climb the many steps and enjoy the spectacular views from the stop. All around the headland are many coves and caves to explore and well worth a visit are North Landing (pictured), Thornwick Bay and South Landing.

STAITHES

Staithes is famous for many things. It is set in a stunning location, a river winds its way through a gorge and into a small harbour, once one of the north's premier fishing ports. The cliffs, narrow streets and picturesque houses create a scene which attracts many artists to the area. This is also a village Captain Cook called home for a short time. He worked in a grocers as an assistant and here he fell in love with the sea. Ironically that shop was lost to the sea but you can see "Captain Cook's Cottage" where many artefacts from it are stored.

RUNSWICK BAY

Runswick Bay is a hidden gem, off the tourist trail but no less stunning than Robin Hood's Bay or Staithes. In fact they call this "one of england's most beautiful bays" and we wouldn't argue. The houses cling to a headland which protects them from the worst the northerly winds can throw at them in the winter, but in the 1600's a great storm washed away all but one house. Bizarrely it was a house of a dead man who's wake was taking place there that very night! Explore narrow streets and follow in the footsteps of smugglers and take a walk on the sandy beach.

HAYBURN WYKE

This is a National Trust woodland which winds its way down to a cove of incredible beauty. Totally natural with nothing but nature in sight, a waterfall cascades over the top of the cliff and onto the pebbles below. Access is from the Hayburn Wyke Inn road, which is off the Scarborough to Ravenscar road. The path through the woods is uneven in places and steep at times but well worth the effort to enjoy one of the most unspoilt, unchanges views on any coast anywhere!