There are many wonderful places to visit on the Yorkshire Coast – Whitby, Bridlington, Scarborough, Robin Hood’s Bay, to name but a few. While these places offer a fun-filled and picturesque day out, they are very popular, which can mean crowds. So, what if you fancy a trip to the Yorkshire Coast, but want somewhere a little bit tucked away, peaceful, and relaxing? Well, we are here to help.
We have put together a list of five hidden gems on the Yorkshire Coast that you need to visit. We explore a mysterious ‘town that never was’, a foodie heaven, one of the best beaches in Yorkshire, and a harbour steeped in industrial history. Sound intriguing? Well, let’s jump in.
Here are 5 of Our Favourite Hidden Yorkshire Coast Gems
These are some favourite places to visit on the Yorkshire coast that you may not have heard of. So, add them to your itinerary for your next trip.
1. Runswick Bay – An Award-Winning Beach
This tiny but stunning North Yorkshire coast village is located just 8 miles from Whitby. It is an absolutely idyllic place with a picturesque view and amazing coastal walks. The village has a highly distinctive look about it with its red-roofed cottages, colourful fishing boats, and it clings to the cliff edge.
It also has the most wonderful beach! It is so good it is award-winning, including the Sunday Times’ Beach of the Year 2020 and the 2026 Seaside Awards. On the beach, you can create a fun-filled day by swimming in the sea, hunting for fossils, water skiing, fishing, building sandcastles, and, if you’re lucky, spotting seals. The beach is also dog-friendly, so you can bring your four-legged friend for a long, relaxing walk along the beach.
There are plenty of great food and drink spots in the village. One of the most popular is the Runswick Bay Hotel, located just a 5-minute walk from the beach. They offer classic pub grub, including fish and chips and steak and ale pie, all using locally sourced produce. For lighter meals, you can try Runswick Bay Tea Garden. This is a family-run café set in a beautiful garden, complete with a waterfall and small pond. They serve light bites such as toasties, sandwiches, and cakes.
Fancy a visit and want to know more? Check out our dedicated article on Runswick Bay – The Tiny Yorkshire Coast Village That’s A Must-Visit This Summer.
2. Sandsend – A Foodie Heaven
Calling all foodies! Just a short distance away from Whitby, there is a beautiful little Yorkshire village called Sandsend. In fact, it is so close to Whitby that you can spot Whitby Abbey and Whitby pier from the beach. It is a stunning Yorkshire coast seaside resort, and as it is a bit of a hidden gem, it offers a peaceful break from the madness of everyday life.
It is the perfect place for long walks and cycling. The beach is an obvious place to start. It is a wonderful place for a stroll, particularly at sunset, and is one of the best beaches in Yorkshire. If you have children, wait for the tide to go out, as they’ll be able to explore the rock pools for signs of marine life. For walkers, try the Sandsend Trail, which is part of the Cleveland Way National Trail. The walk combines coastal and woodland views. Along the way, you’ll come across the abandoned Sandsend train tunnel, which last saw a train in 1958!
OK, OK, you want to hear about the food! Well, Sandsend is one of the best places to visit in Yorkshire for food and is highly regarded for its cuisine. We recently made a YouTube video about our recent trip there and all the incredible places we visited. Check out the video here.
For now, here are a couple of our favourites in the village:
- Mary’s Sandwich Shop: If you’re looking for a seaside hipster hangout, then this is the place for you. They offer LA-style smashburgers, handcrafted sandwiches, and incredible sea views. Check out their website for more details.
- Fish Cottage: Located just 20 yards from the beach, this is a dream if you love all things fish and seafood. They have classic fish and chips, lobster, prawn and chimichurri linguine, and some incredible fish tacos. Find more information here.
This beautiful Yorkshire coast village is perfect for a walking trip, a family fun day, or a food tour; whatever you do, this hidden gem will bring long-lasting memories. Check out the episode of our seaside foodie escape to Sandsend below.
3. Port Mulgrave – A Fascinating Industrial Past
Next on our list of hidden gems on the Yorkshire coast is located between Staithes and Runswick Bay within the North York Moors National Park. It is definitely one of the country’s lesser-known beauty spots, offering a more relaxing alternative to busier seaside destinations but still offering incredible coastal scenery.
A Step Back into the Past
The place has a fascinating industrial history. It exists due to the ironstone industry, which transformed the Yorkshire coast in the mid-19th century. Its famous harbour was funded and built by MP and industrialist Sir Charles Palmer in 1858 for a cost of £45,000. In its heyday, ships regularly sailed from Port Mulgrave carrying ironstone to Teesside and Tyneside. The ironstone was then used in blast furnaces to manufacture steel for shipbuilding.
However, as railway links improved during the 20th century, coastal shipping became unnecessary, and the harbour became redundant. While over time, the harbour has fallen into ruin, it serves as a reminder of the village’s industrial past. Today, you can still see the remains of the harbour walls and structure, the entrance to a former mine tunnel built into the cliff face, and former miners’ cottages.
Also, by the harbour, you can see a small but quirky community of fishing huts. They are built and constantly repaired due to their constant battle against the elements, by whatever materials are available, including lobster pots, washing machine drums, ropes, timber, and other items that are washed up.
Calling all Fossil Hunters
Port Mulgrave is also regarded as one of the best places to visit in Yorkshire for fossil hunting. Its Jurassic cliffs and rocky shoreline make it perfect for finding fossils. So, you will often find collections, geology enthusiasts, and adults and children who just love searching for them, walking along the beach. So, if you want some prehistoric fun, it is the place to be!
If you fancy a walk, then one of the best routes is a four-mile circular walk starting at Port Mulgrave. You start walking along the Cleveland Way, towards the equally picturesque Staithes, where you can find lots of places to eat, grab a coffee, or sink a pint. On your way back, you’ll go via the small hamlet of Dalehouse, through fields and woodland.
Port Mulgrave is a step back in time that offers so much – history, walks, fossils, and just an incredible day out by the picturesque Yorkshire Coast.
4. Cattersty Sands – A Tranquil Coastal Retreat
This is undeniably one of the best beaches in Yorkshire, but also one of the most unknown. This makes Cattersty Sands perfect if you want a day by the seaside but want to avoid the crowds of beautiful but popular places such as Whitby and Scarborough.
So, where is it? You’ll find it located below Skinningrove Village on the North Yorkshire Coast, approximately halfway between Hartlepool and Whitby. It forms part of the 109-mile Cleveland Way. If you are attempting the walk, then make sure you stop off to explore.
Why is it worth visiting? Good question. Well, it offers stunning sea views and stretches of white, clean sand. One of the reasons that makes it special is that it lacks the amusements, beach huts, and arcades you get with the more well-known seaside locations. It remains unspoilt, giving it a peaceful, relaxing atmosphere. It is perfect if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Even though it is much quieter, there are still plenty of things to do in Cattersty Sands. You can go for a dip in the sea, build sandcastles, explore rock pools at low tide for marine life, and go fossil hunting while walking along the beach. Also, as the beach is so quiet, it is perfect for a picnic and if taking children, a safe place for them to run free and play.
This hidden gem on the North Yorkshire Coast is perfect for a tranquil, relaxing day out away from the crowds.
If you would like to explore more about Cattersty Sands, discover our dedicated guide here.
5. Ravenscar – ‘The Town That Never Was’
We will end our list of hidden gems on the Yorkshire Coast with a place that’s full of mystery and intrigue. Often described as ‘the town that never was’, it is a Yorkshire village with a strange past but has proved a favourite with history buffs, hikers, fossil hunters, walkers, and cyclists, to name a few.
A Mysterious Past
Let’s start with what is likely to be your burning question: what is so mysterious about its history? In the Victorian era, ambitious plans were drawn up to develop a fashionable holiday resort that would rival Whitby and Scarborough. It seemed the perfect location due to its clifftop position and picturesque views. So these plans were put into action, roads were laid, sewers installed, and several houses were built.
However, there was an issue. The beach location was far below the cliffs, meaning the walk down was steep. The beach was also rocky rather than sandy. For a place that wanted to become a new hotspot for holidaymakers, this was a serious problem. The development company collapsed, so the brand new resort was left unfinished.
However, it is this ‘ghost town’ feel of the place that draws visitors to this North Yorkshire village. It is wild, atmospheric, and hauntingly beautiful. When you visit Ravenscar today, you’ll find a peaceful place with moorland walks, seal colonies, and some of the most stunning views of the North York Moors.
The village is approximately 10 miles from Scarborough. The Cleveland Way National Trail passes through, and so does the Cinder Track, the 21-mile cycling and walking route. Next time you are on the Yorkshire Coast, make sure you pay a visit to ‘the town that never was’ for a tranquil, breathtaking, and mysterious day out.
Want to Discover More about the Yorkshire Coast?
The Yorkshire Coast is one of the most fascinating and beautiful parts of the UK. From the popular destinations such as Whitby and Scarborough to the hidden gems we have discussed in this guide, it offers something for everyone. For more information on things to do on the Yorkshire Coast, discover our archives for more guides on places to visit.
If you are looking to explore Yorkshire as a whole, then visit our travel section.
Read More: 8 Charming Villages And Vibrant Towns To Visit On The Picturesque Yorkshire Coast
Feature Image Credit: Unsplash
