Country walk around Staithes (From Gazette & Herald)

Country walk around Staithes

3:48pm Thursday 7th April 2011 in Country walks By Brian Beadle

Staithes, local pronunciation Steers, on the Yorkshire coast has been a sheltered haven for fishermen for hundreds of years.

Only when the combination of high tides and strong winds from the sea was the small community threatened with disaster.

Even sea creatures wailed their warning to the Staithes residents, their shrieks being translated by local folk who were familiar with their meaning.

Whether the sea creatures were right or not, Staithes has repeatedly taken a battering from storms.

In 1849 several houses were destroyed as waves and wind battered the buildings to pieces.

In 1861 and 1862 more buildings were destroyed, including the Cod and Lobster pub, which has been rebuilt several times but still stands today.

And still the sea creatures wailed their warnings at Staithes as the onslaught continued with the staith being washed away, the only defence while roofs were ripped off and houses washed into the sea.

Now with a strong staith, a harbour wall and rock armour, perhaps Staithes is protected from disaster as the sea creatures no longer wail their warning from the sea, beaten by man’s advance in building and technology.

So why does Staithes think it is a town, as do many of the coastal villages like Staithes and Bay Town (Robin Hood’s Bay)? The answer is simple. It was called a town because that is what the locals called it.

Your route

Leave the car park at Staithes and follow the road away from the village to the A174. Turn right, then cross the road, (or use the crossing on the left) and keep right, walking north. In a few yards, go left down a steep hill signed to Dalehouse, Borrowby and Roxby.

Take care descending Dalehouse Bank as there is no footpath. At the bottom pass the Fox & Hounds pub, then just before the bridge, turn left at the entrance to a caravan park waymarked by a public footpath sign.

Continue along through a white gate, then at the caravan site, bear right downhill, cross a wooden bridge and go left signed to Hinderwell, then right to start a serious ascent.

Where the track splits, keep right past a wooden sculpture to walk through the Oak Ridge Nature Reserve. Pass a couple of seats, then through (or past) a large gate onto a narrow path into Oakrigg Wood.

In the early summer you will find a profusion of wild flowers as you enjoy your walk through the oak and beech wood.

When the path splits, go left uphill and soon bear left again, still climbing.

This undulating but ascending path takes you across a ridge between two valleys to eventually reach a field. Go left here into the wood on the official path then right over a stile into the field.

Keep straight ahead on the field side path until you reach a small gate on the left. Turn through the gate to start a steep, slippery descent into Borrowby Dale.

Cross a ridge over the beck, then ascend to a stile into a field. Cross the field, still ascending, to another stile opposite which leads into a lane.

Go straight ahead over the stile onto a wide track. When the track splits go straight ahead onto a very narrow, fenced path as indicated by a yellow waymark.

Straight ahead again at the clearing onto another narrow path between houses. Walk as directed, then turn left towards the road.

Cross the road with care and take the minor road opposite. Walk past the entrance to the church, then go right along Rosedale Lane signed to Port Mulgrave.

A little further along you pass the Ship Inn which has a tearoom open Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Pass the houses and soon the sea comes into view. When you reach the cliff you can visit Port Mulgrave harbour by going through the large gate in front of you, then walk down the steep cliff path. If not, bear right following the road to eventually join the cliff top path through a gate.

Follow the obvious cliff path passing through a couple of gates while enjoying the grand scenery across to the high Boulby cliffs and the blot on the landscape – the potash mine. Continue along to a farm, keep close to the farm wall to find a narrow path leading down the cliff to Staithes.

Soon you reach Staithes harbour with the famous Cod and Lobster pub built on the harbour wall. There are cafés on the right or seats to eat your own refreshments if you wish.

When you are ready to move off, take the road past the Cod and Lobster and follow it through the village and its quaint houses to the top of a steep hill, perhaps popping into the Captain Cook museum on your left.

At the top of the hill look for steps on the left taking you back into the car park, alternatively continue along the road then bear left to return to your transport.

The facts

Distance – five miles (8km)
Time – two hours
Grading – easy
Start/grid ref – Staithes, grid ref 782184
Best map – OS Outdoor Leisure 27
Parking – Staithes village car park
Refreshments – Fox & Hounds at Dalehouse, closed Tuesday and Wednesday. The Ship Inn café on the Port Mulgrave road opens Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Cafés and pubs in Staithes
Public toilets – Staithes village car park

View a map of the Staithes country walk>>