English Coastal Path
Whitby to Staithes
North Yorkshire
Distance 20km Climb 570m
Friday 22 March 2019
This time we were in Whitby as part of my birthday celebrations. On our previous visit, Anne had found a gem of a B&B in, Riftswood owned by Paula and Pete along with Denzil. Paula welcomed us with wine/tea and home made cake on our arrival on the Thursday. We had enjoyed our stay last time, you can follow the link to our walk from Whitby to Robin Hood's Bay. and we were keen to come back again.
Today we had one of Pete's very full English breakfast, that set us up for the day. Before starting out Pete told us about a number of things we could look out for on our walk.
Riftswood is only a few hundred meters from the coast. The English Coastal Path (ECP) and the Cleveland Way are only two of the many walks along this part of the coast. We left Riftswood and turned left down a footpath to reach the North Promenade where we turned left, west onto both the ECP and the Cleveland Way.
Taking one of the paths down towards Whitby Sands we walked along by the coloured beach huts. One was being erected as we passed.
Before leaving Riftswood, Pete had said the tide was out, so when the path turned inland we continued along the sand.
Passing an area of small stones we both instinctively looked down and started to find pieces of sea glass. I am not sure if there is a reason why there is sea glass on Whitby Sands but Whitby is not too far South along the coast from Seaham to imagine that it may have been swept here by the sea over the years.
We crossed from Whitby Sands onto Sandsend Beach. The wind and sea had made some interesting looking patterns in the sand around what looks like old pier or jetty pylons.
After crossing another stream we walked up the steep sea defences into the car park next to the Wits End Café.
At the far end of the car park are some steep steps up the side of the bank. A sign points the Cleveland Way and ECP as well as Sandsend Trail. At the top is the remains of a train station platform Pete told us to look out for. Nature is taking over, possibly on another day the grass, plants and trees may make this difficult to see. Turning right onto the old train line it was only a few meters away from my first Geocache of the day.
A few more hundred meters and I found my second Geocache of the day.
A slight move from the main path and I quickly found my third and fourth Geocache's of the day in an area of old quarries.
Moving on we saw the entrance to a train tunnel Pete had told us about. On returning home and looking at a map I could see that the train tunnel travelled for quite a long way underground. It must have been a hard job digging it out.
It was then up and up and up again a few steep stairs to reach the path above the tunnel.
It had been very warm on our walk so far, the coats had gone it was tea shirts and cardigans. Now we were on the top and with it being open and exposed although sunny and bright it had turned cold. So we thought about putting our coats back on.
A little further on there are signs of the ECP and Cleveland Way.
Just passed here we had a short rest on Tommy, with a cup of hot chocolate. It was now time to stop thinking about putting our coats on and putting them on.
The footpath headed north westerly before turning northerly. On our way we passed patches of ground which may have been defences against invasion.
We took the ECP / Cleveland Way footpath that followed by the coast. The other path followed the train line. We did not notice where the train line came out of the tunnel but it was a very long tunnel.
Reaching a turn in the path with a strong wind in our face we had our first glimpse of Runswick Bay.
We continued west now towards Kettleness. Through a few styles onto the road briefly before following signs beside Kettleness Farm.
On our way around the top of a steep sided gorge we passed a blue building which may have previously been a lifeboat house. I am not sure. Unfortunately I did not get a photo. On looking at an old map it shows a Coast Guard Station in the area perhaps it was that.
We were now on a footpath that follows along the tops of the cliffs. We could see Runswick Sands below. Pete had warned us of the tricky path down to the sands.
At first the path starts off heading down hill with large steps.
At the bottom of the steps there is a wooden bridge.
After the bridge the path becomes very narrow as it skirts the edge dropping down. It does have steps but care needs to be taken as it is very slippery in places. This is looking back up.
Anyway we soon reached the level of Runswick Sands. On our left there were a large number of caves eroded into the cliffs.
As we approached Runswick Bay we could see the tide coming in, making it difficult to reach the slipway, so we took the rough path over stones to the left.
At Runswick Bay we had a quick look around before a having a rest and a quick drink at the Hotel. While we were sitting outside we could see a number of dark clouds gathering. Fortunately they did not come to anything.
After our rest we weaved our way through a few narrow streets and steps taking us up and we soon found our way back onto the ECP / Cleveland Way. A couple more twists as we climbed the leeward side of the hill. Leaving Runswick Bay behind and below us.
We reached Runswick Bank Top where we saw a sign for our walk. The path is on the other side of this hedge.
The winds were very strong along here as we headed north east to re-join the coast. A couple of WWII planes flew overhead as we walked north westerly along the coast. It was a little sheltered when the path dropped down beneath the bank side and gorse bushes.
We could see in the distance the little Port of Mulgrave.
On our way we came across a sign that shows the path ahead was diverted due to landslides. So we followed the diversion signs. This took us to the road, we turned right for a short walk on a road before joining the path that follows the cliff tops.
Passing Old Nab, we continued fighting the wind until we reached a place we could look directly down onto Staithes Harbour.
We continued to follow the path around the coast.
The footpath took us inland slightly before turning back and heading down hill towards Staithes.
We had a look at the harbour before looking along a few streets.
I thought this was were they filmed Bernard Cribbins and his children's programme Old Jack's Boat with Salty Dog. On returning home I found they did.
I walked half way across the bridge on the ECP/Cleveland Way to take some photos before returning to the south side and taking a walk up hill to look for the bus stop.
We found the bus stop at the top and as it happens timed it perfectly we only had a few minutes to wait for a bus to take us back to Whitby. It had been a good day. Started very warm and turned cold. The threat of rain did not happen but apart from the very strong wind it had been a good day for a walk.
We had covered just over 20km with just over 570m climb.
More to follow
Boz North
Details correct at time of walking.
If you have enjoyed reading my walk or found it useful you may also like to read other walks I have done on The English Coastal Path or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.
Follow link to our previous walk from Whitby. Whitby to Robin Hood's Bay.
Follow link to our next walk from Whitby. Whitby to Grosmont via Egton Bridge
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