Staithes

Ahhhhh the little village of Staithes, so impossibly picturesque! It's hard to believe I was here beside the sea only five days ago, it was the last place we visited before coming home on Friday. Staithes is a true gem of a place on the north east coast of Yorkshire, roughly between Whitby and Saltburn. It's one of those places that kind of tiptoes into your soul and takes root, leaves a lasting impression and a strong desire to return.

On Friday I was trying to recall the last time we were here :: we stayed here a couple of times when the Little People were teenytiny, renting a teenytiny little fisherman's cottage right down by the sea. I remember that it was my Birthday (so October then) and Little Lady was still teenytiny enough to be sleeping in a moses basket and carried around in a sling (so ooo mmm errrrr about 5.5yrs ago then)...and I have so so so wanted to return ever since.

It's a very quiet, quaint and quirky place, similar in many ways to Robins Hood Bay. You can't go rushing around when you visit Staithes, no no, you have to slow right down and take it easy. Park your car at the top of the hill and descend on foot. Take your time, enjoy a little bit of light meandering and pootling and pottering and pondering. Slowly slowly, down we go, down through the higgledy piggeldy jumble of houses and rooftops.

Ahhhhhh these beautiful, charming little houses and rooftops are hugely inspiring and heart-expanding for the likes of me. Aren't they just delightful?? I mean, you do know how very very much I just adore little houses, don't you? So you can imagine me in Staithes can't you, feeling like my heart is about to grow so big and wide with pleasure and happiness that it'll p:o:p. I am soooo delighted with being here that I involuntarily start to skip (yes truly) and luckily I am holding Little Lady's hand at the time so we end up skipping together. Yiippppeeeee, such fun!!

Descending down through the steep narrow street there are little glimpses of the sea here and there, it is indescribably beautiful, especially on such a glorious morning. These pictures were taken at about 9.30am ish so it was still quite early in the day. We peeked down little side streets, oohed and ahhed at the beauty of it all.

This is the main street in Staithes, the High Street. There are only a handful of shops on the High Street and at this early hour it's wonderfully peaceful.

It really is the cutest little place.

We are almost at the bottom of the hill now and to the right is this pretty little side street :: heart-skippy stuff for sure. Down a little bit further, around the corner beside the weatherbeaten old Crab and Lobster pub and there it is....................

..............the sun dappled sea, the dinky little beach, just exactly as I remember it from before. Nothing has changed, all is good. Breathe it all in mmmm-mmmm.

We stroll a little along the seafront and the Little Peeps run down onto the beach below to do what Little Peeps do best next to the sea :: messin around in the sand. Soon be time for Seadrift Cafe to open, it's almost ten o'clock. There are tables and chairs all set out ready on the pavement in front of the cafe and I am dreaming of a large cup of Very Good Coffee with something sweet to the side. My dream does indeed come true, and I get my v.g. coffee and cake with sea views, and enjoy it enormously.

Ahhhhhhhh I've gone all dreamy and seasidey now after writing this post! As you have no doubt gathered we enjoyed an amazing time at the coast last week and it makes me so happy to sit and write about it. Thank you as always for sharing my memories with me, I appreciate your company more than I am able to say xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Comments

[Deb]

Oh, looks like a lovely place! We were holidaying in Dorset and had a fab time. Not in a caravan though (would need a big one for all of us!) but a tent so perhaps not quite so pretty to photograph!

Glad you had a wonderful holiday xx

[Jo]

You were lucky to have the wonderful weather on your side, it is nowhere near that nice this week, it is cold and grey! We are fortunate enough to live in Bridlington, which is nowhere near as picturesque, but it is by the sea and it is lovely to have a drive up the coast to these lovely little seaside villages. You know Staithes is fabulous for collecting fossils on the beach, which is a favourite with my children.

[Isabelle (from France)]

It looks beautiful! And it makes me really happy that we have chosen this wonderful part of the world for our summer holiday this year again! I cannot wait!!
Isabelle

[Denise Berger]

What a beautiful, charming village. Almost unreal, like a fairy tale or a movie set. Maybe someday I will get to visit your land and see firsthand some of these quaint old places... thanks for sharing!

[Michelle Lindau]

it's 6.30 am over here in Australia - freezing cold this morning - but all is well because I have had my Lucy fix! Thank you so much for giving me such a beautiful start to the day - I so want to go back to the UK for another visit..... now!!!!

[Cuckoo]

Oh how I want to go to Staithes and sit on the wooden bench infront of the cream house with the red door...if they'd let me. It looks like the sort of place where, should the owner of the bench unexpectedly find you sat there they'd pop inside and bring you a brew.
I carry a little notebook around with me in which I write a note of all the places I hear about that I will search out one day. Staithes is in there now. I must plan a visit up North. I'm in the West Country and it's all too easy to pop to the South Devon coast. I MUST venture further afield. Lucy you are a darling once again brightening my evening. Thank you xxx

[Lillypip.]

It just looks beautifull. I will need to bookmark these places in my memory for holidays. I stay in Saltcoats so for now that will just have to do. Thanks for sharing with us.

[Heather]

beeeautiful! <3

[Kimbles]

Staithes looks so cute - I love it! Lucy you should be on their tourist board! x

[Marion L]

Very much enjoying your photos and stories from the North East. We lived in this area for 8 years before returning to Scotland to live in our dream seaside town. I'd almost forgotten how lovely Saltburn and Staithes were and how much we enjoyed days out on that coast. Just as well we still have family in the area. You should work for the tourist board - you sell a place well!!

[Pamela T.]

So pleased to have found your blog! You bring a ray of sunshine to lots of people no doubt and you are a fantastic ambassador for the UK!

[Lucy]

Your holiday snaps all look like picture postcards Lucy x

[lyn]

It is a wonderful place, thank you for sharing your beautiful photos to remind me just how lovely!
Love
Lyn
xxx

[Julie]

Just beautiful...x

[Jackie]

Lucy ~ what a beautiful little place, it really does look lovely and your pictures are wonderful as usual. Thanks for sharing it ~ Jackie :O) xx

[Ariadne]

Thank you,thank you again for a lovely coastal report!Ariadne from Greece!

[Cathy Dunsmore]

Beautiful little town seems like something you would see on a post card.

[Karin]

♥♥♥

[Lisha]

It makes me wonder what the little houses are like inside, who the people are that live in them. Their houses are so unique and sweet, nestled into this little, lush, green valley. Do they live a peaceful life? Do they have a car, do they need a car? Because it doesn't look like there is room for one.

It's fascinating seeing a seaside village life with the sun so bright. Your photo's have made it a lovely visit for me. Thanks for sharing Lucy.

Lishaxx

[Louisa @ RecycleThis]

Oh I love Staithes too!

We've been a few times - staying at a wonderful cottage next to the beck/near the lifeboat (Northside cottage) - open fire, shabby chic, a gorgeous Smeg fridge & the smoothest wood for the kitchen units/staircase --- heaven.

Standing on the breakwater, the village - tall colourful houses tumbling into the sea - reminds me of Venice. When the sea goes out, a thousand rock pools are revealed behind the breakwater. In the winter, it's deserted - just us, the morning-only butcher and the ducks. One of my favourite places in the world. :)

[Alexandra Mason]

It looks a beautiful place, i love your post...i felt like i was there! xx

[Jacquie]

How could we resist sharing such gorgeous images and enjoying your lovely description of it all !
I always read your posts slowly and scroll down a little at a time cos I know the pictures are going to be so lovely I will want to savour them:0)
Jacquie x

[Laura]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for continuing to let us get a glimpse of your life. Your posts are just so happy and colourful and I really look forward to reading your blog.

I'm so glad that you had such a lovely time away. I look forward to hearing about your future trips in Connievan.

xxx

[TheMadHouse]

My MIL was born and lived in one of those cottages with her 11 siblings. Her father was a fisherman and life was hard. very hard indeed. But it will always be a speical place for us

[Jennifer]

What a sweet little town, very pretty! It sounds like a wonderful way to spend a day.