UK Staycations – The most Instagrammable towns on the North Yorkshire coast

I know what you’re thinking, summer is over, surely a UK Staycation to the seaside is an awful idea?! Well, hear me out, because there are some hidden gems on the North Yorkshire coastline that are beautiful whatever the weather (yes – even the UK weather!), proving that you don’t need to fly out to Positano to see some of the prettiest towns and stunning coves.

So keep reading, pack your umbrella and find out more about these beauty spots in the North East. Your Instagram feed will thank me, I promise.

The biggest and best known of the three picturesque towns that we are visiting along the North Yorkshire coast, Whitby has been enjoyed as a holiday spot in the UK for many years.

When I think of Whitby I think of the holidays I had there as a child, salty sea air, ice cream and some of the best fish and chips going! But beyond enjoying all the carbs, Whitby has plenty to offer to photographers too.

Crowning the hilltop over Whitby you’ll find the impressive ruins of Whitby Abbey. Not only can you explore the gothic ruins that are absolutely steeped in history going back almost 1500 years, you can also take a deeper dive and relive the fascinating story of the Abbey through the years at the Museum and Visitors Centre.

The Abbey makes for undeniably atmospheric photographs, with the stunning architecture creating some really interesting frames to experiment with. Additionally, the Abbey’s location on the hilltop makes it a fantastic place to snap some views over Whitby town below.

There are currently extra safety measures and limits on visitor numbers in place at the Abbey due to the coronavirus situation, so if you are planning a visit it’s best to book your ticket in advance here and read up on the current restriction s in place. 

So we’ve already talked about Whitby Abbey, but how do you get up there? Well, one of the most popular routes is up the famous 199 steps. Climbing the rather lengthy staircase (no guesses as to why it’s called the 199 steps…) is one of the must-do attractions of Whitby, not just for the physical challenge, but also the stunning views.

The winding steps take you up to the cliff through Whitby town, giving you some great photo opportunities to snap the pretty buildings and rooftops overlooking the sea. A photo stop is also the ideal excuse to take a rest break from the climbing! Thankfully there are benches along the way where you can take a couple of minutes to enjoy the view. If you don’t fancy the walk, or have restricted mobility however, you can reach the Abbey by car.

Fun fact: The steps were actually made out of wood up until 1774, after which they were replaced with stone.

If you are visiting Robin Hood’s Bay by car, you’ll find that most of the available parking is just outside the main village higher up the hill. Although this means you have to do a bit of a walk into the main streets there’s a silver lining in that the view over the bay from the hilltop is gorgeous!

The path in this photo begins just off of the car park and takes you through a lovely green area, along the coastline and into the town. Along the way you’ll see cosy cottages, a small marina and stunning coastal views as you enjoy the sound of waves gently crashing against the rocks – bliss!

If you enjoyed the sound of the waves on your way down to Robin Hood’s Bay, you’re in for a treat when you get to the seafront. If you like dramatic coastlines – and seriously, who doesnt? – you’ll want to have your camera handy!

Along the cliffside you’ll also encounter wildflowers and cottages nestled into the rocks which also make for lovely photos. The beach itself is quite small and secluded, but a lovely place to sit and relax nonetheless and dogs are welcome too!