Road trip along the coast of the North York Moors (Route 1)

Today we continue towards the North York Moors. On the way to Scarborough (around 44 miles/70km and an hour’s drive), a stop at the Flamborough Outer Headland Nature Reserve is worthwhile. The steep, white cliffs of this chalky headland are up to 120 metres high. Don’t miss the sea views at Bempton, home to around half a million seabirds, including a rare gannet colony. Another highlight is the two lighthouses, the oldest of which dates back to 1806.  

Continue to Scarborough, considered the world’s first seaside resort. A headland separates Scarborough into the North Bay and South Bay. The bright sandy beach of the South Bay is sheltered, sun-drenched and the city centre is not far away. The North Bay beach is a bit quieter, has wonderfully clean water and also offers a fine sandy beach, alongside surfing or stand-up paddleboarding courses.  

The market, which is sung about in the old folk song “Scarborough Fair” (and which was also covered by Simon & Garfunkel), can no longer be found, but there is the South Bay indoor market with many regional specialities. 

The old harbour and the imposing Castle Headland are impressive, even if only ruins of the once mighty fortress remain today. It used to have to withstand attacks from Vikings or Tudor rebels. The paths around Scarborough Castle, perched high on the cliffs, offer panoramic views of the coastline as you walk through medieval ruins.

The Scarborough Maritime Heritage Centre is dedicated to the city’s maritime past and features exhibitions and interactive displays.

Although the distance from Scarborough to Saltburn is only about 40 miles (64km), you shouldn’t drive it all in one day, but rather make at least one overnight stop to enjoy the beautiful North Sea coast of the North York Moors.

From Scarborough, continue north. In Cloughton, it’s worth making a detour (towards Ravenscar) to the Hayburn Wyke waterfalls, which can be reached via the coastal path through the forest. The two waterfalls plunge down from the forest on top of the pebble beach, a great natural spectacle. Visitors can bathe in the refreshing water, explore the caves and rock pools, or enjoy the tranquillity and relaxation. By the way: the Hayburn Wyke beach, between the villages of Cloughton and Scalby, is also beautiful.

The next stop on the route is Ravenscar, which has an industrial past with its old alum plants. Remains of quarries, slate heaps and factory buildings bear witness to this to this day. Be sure to explore the remains of the World War II radar station, which was part of a coastal defence system built in 1941. 

 

If there is still time for a longer walk or a short hike: Fylingdales Moor, north of Ravenscar, is a nature reserve. This is a haven for wildlife, especially birds of prey such as the merlin, Britain’s smallest, and is also home to Bronze Age archaeological remains. 

From Ravenscar it is only about 20 minutes by car to Robin Hood’s Bay. The fishing and smuggling village on the edge of the North York Moors National Park has a turbulent past. In the 18th century, it was a perfect place for smuggling: the port was isolated, protected and bordered on three sides by marshland. Most likely, a large part of the population, whether fishermen, farmers, clergy or nobles, was involved in some form of smuggling of silk and other goods. Each house had secret hiding places and tunnels that connected apartments. You can learn more about the history of the village and what Robin Hood’s Bay has to do with Robin Hood at the Robin Hood’s Bay Museum. (Note that cars are not allowed in the lower, old part of the village and the path down from the upper part of the village is quite steep.)

Continue north to Whitby, a picturesque harbour town. Picturesque yet bustling, the harbour is home to carousels and casinos, and there’s almost always something happening on its high street. The medieval Whitby Abbey and St. Mary’s Church are both impressive. The scenery was just as beautiful when Bram Stoker came to Whitby in 1890 for a holiday. The city inspired him to write Dracula. In Whitby, he let the world-famous vampire jump ashore as a dog and run up the 199 steps to the abbey. Visitors can still do that today. From the top, you have a beautiful view of the city, which whaling once made prosperous. 

If you’re into spooky things, then don’t forget to take in the Dracula Experience! 

A museum in Whitby also commemorates the seafarer James Cook, who was apprenticed here. The Endeavour was also built in Whitby in 1764, the ship with which Cook undertook his first expedition. For several years, a replica, the HM Bark Endeavour, has served as a museum in the port of Whitby and can be visited.