North Yorkshire Coast England

Day 15/England 11

Travelled:113km

Stay: near Whitby/Sleights- free carpark, views N54.4396 W0.6646

Visited:Pickering, Scarborough,Robin Hood’s Bay, Whitby

We arrived just after 8am in Pickering and parked in the street neat the church. It is what is known as a market town and Monday is Market day! so we thought we would buy some breakfast there. We were a little surprised at the small size of the market, although one of each type of stall usually found at these was there, it certainly wasn’t as extensive as the markets in Europe we have experienced. 

Mark was still tempted with a cream doughnut but bought at the bakery.

 We then walked around Pickering station which is at one end of the 38km North York Moors Railway offering steam train rides through the National Park to Whitby. There were plenty of people and dogs who were waiting to board. 

We watched the locomotive be attached to the seven carriages and then we ventured back through town to St.Peter & St.Paul church. It contains striking 15th century fescoes discovered in 1852 that had been covered during the reformation.

 Our next destination was Scarborough which is a large spa resort town made popular in the 1600’s. We drove along the foreshore drive from North Bay to South Bay and back again! The rain and bitter cold wind were not too inviting so after a brief stroll we were back on the road. 

Robin Hood’s Bay got its name because legend has it that he had some getaway boats here. Due to the seclusion and the labyrinth of narrow cobblestone alleys with whitewashed stone cottages it has a history of smuggling. After fish and chip’s for lunch we enjoyed exploring this very pretty village.

Couldn’t believe the Mr.Wippy van on the beach! And in this weather..

 We then drove a little further north to Whitby and went past the ruins of the 13th century Abbey upon the hill above the harbour town. 

We then parked in the marina area for £3/2hrs and walked along the Esk River on the north bank past many entertainment arcades that seem to be popular in these resort towns. 

Up on the hill we spotted Captain Cook’s statue. He was an apprentice here for 8 years before he sailed away on the Endeavour, built in Whitby, to discover Australia and New Zealand. 

After taking in the views we ventured back through the narrow streets and over the bridge to the south side. 

There were plenty of shops selling the Whitby Jet, a black stone polished and carved to make jewellery and other objects. It was made popular by Queen Victoria who favoured it after Prince Albert’s death. 

There were also plenty of pubs and so we popped into The Black Horse for a refreshing drink and a chat with other patrons. It was full of character and Mark enjoyed his Guinness. 

We explored a little more before returning to Bluey and driving 10mins out to a free overnight parking spot with great views of the coast and countryside.