1. Cycle the Cinder Track
The Cinder Track – the old railway line from Scarborough to Whitby – is a real gem, offering 21 miles of fairly flat off-road cycling and some of the most spectacular views along the whole Yorkshire coast. It’s a brilliant day out, from Famous-Five-style cakes and lemonade at the old Cloughton station tea garden to amazing views over Robin Hood’s Bay from Ravenscar. The track itself passes close to Boggle Hole, or there’s cycle hire from Trailways, around three miles away at the former railway station of Hawsker.
2. Boulders and rock pools at Hayburn Wyke
Everyone knows about the sandy beaches at Whitby and Scarborough so seek out the hideaway cove of Hayburn Wyke instead, seven miles south of Boggle Hole. A wooded ravine drops right down to a boulder-studded bay, with its own beachside waterfall and you can spend hours here beach-combing and rock-hopping. There’s a gorgeous five mile cliff-top circular walk from Cloughton station and tearoom or you can park much closer at the Hayburn Wyke Inn at the top of the woods.
3. Robin Hood’s Bay – a smugglers’ lair
Back in the day, the good folk of Robin Hood’s Bay weren’t above a spot of smuggling. It’s said that the jumble of cottages there are all connected by secret passageways and tunnels, so booty could be spirited away unseen. Walk along the beautiful beach at low tide from Boggle Hole to see the village from a smuggler’s viewpoint and look out in local shops and pubs for Baytown beers, which celebrate the heritage. Note to self: no sneaking off through a hidden tunnel once you’ve got your hands on a refreshing beer…
4. May Beck and Falling Foss
Although the North Yorkshire coast is the main event, there are hidden corners everywhere in the surrounding North York Moors National Park. Cycle or drive the seven miles west to the car park at May Beck for the woodland walk to Falling Foss waterfall. It’s fab at any time of year, though particularly nice in autumn, and there’s a great woodland tea garden that looks like something out of Robinson Crusoe, with its homespun outdoor furniture and riverside setting.
5. All aboard
Two brilliant train rides make a great day out from nearby Whitby – the North Yorkshire Moors Railway train to Pickering, and the Esk Valley Railway through the green heart of the North York Moors to Middlesbrough. You can get day tickets for both, for trips through some stunning countryside, but I like to combine a train ride with a walk. First, take the steam train up to Goathland, and walk back down the three mile Rail Trail (past the UK’s cutest pub, the Birch Hall Inn at Beck Hole) to Grosmont, for the train back to Whitby. On the next day, take the Esk Valley Railway to Grosmont and walk back along the river on the Esk Valley Walk, eight miles, finishing on the pier in Whitby.
6. Fish and chips
You’re not seriously thinking of coming to Whitby and the Yorkshire coast and not having fish and chips? #JustSaying
Jules Brown blogs about travel and travel-writing at Jules Told Me. Catch up with his YouTube channel where, among other things, he shows you the way to YHA Skiddaw Bunkhouse in a hailstorm and how not to come down Gordale Scar in the Yorkshire Dales.
Discover more about YHA.
