Seven Historic Yorkshire UK Seaside Attractions
Whitby, Robin Hood's Bay, Scarborough, Filey and Bridlington History
Jul 9, 2009
Yorkshire's seaside resorts ooze history; with abbeys, old fishing villages, museums, castles, churches and halls providing a glimpse into the coast's colourful past.
After travelling across Yorkshire's green dales and moors it is always exciting to view the sea on the horizon for the first time, and then to enter historic towns or picturesque villages.
Seven Historic Yorkshire Coast AttractionsIn fact, there is so much interesting history and preserved architecture on Yorkshire's east coast that it is difficult to narrow a list of attractions down to seven, but this article attempts to do so.
Whitby Historic Attractions
- St. Hilda's Abbey in Whitby. Founded in 657, the abbey was the site of the synod in 664 where English clerics chose to follow the Roman calender rather than Celtic. The abbey is still in good condition, and provides great views of the town and beach after the 199 steps through the Old Town have been climbed.
- The Old Town in Whitby. Whitby has a marvellous old town, with colourful houses lining the harbour, and cobbled streets winding their way through narrow streets.
- Museums in Whitby. Irish writer, Bram Stoker, learnt of Whitby's history and folklore while visiting and used it and the town to bring Dracula to the shores of Britain and the readers of the world. Captain James Cook, who grew up nearby, sailed the Whitby-built Bark Endeavour to discover Australia in 1769-71. There are museums for both Dracula and Cook, as well a general museum and a full-size replica of the Endeavour.
Robin Hood's Bay and Scarborough Castle
- Smuggler's Cove in Robin Hood's Bay. The small village of Robin Hood's Bay nestled in the rocky corner of a long sweeping bay five miles south of Whitby has a small museum, and has retained so much of its old character and identity that it resembles a living museum. Old pubs like Ye Dolphin and the Bay Hotel sitting so close to the sea under steep winding streets inspire images of the brave sailors and opportunist smugglers that have inhabited the village.
- Scarborough Castle. Perched 300 feet above the sea, Scarborough's 12th century castle provides a glimpse into the past via its well preserved structure and detailed descriptions of its colourful past, including Civil War battles. There are also great views of Scarborough's two beaches and large town from the castle grounds.
Old Towns Either Side of Flamborough Head
- St. Oswald's Church, Filey. Filey's old town has centuries old houses and an award winning museum. However, the jewel in Filey's crown is probably the 12th century St. Oswald's Church, with its well-tended graveyard housing sailors from centuries past, and looking out over fields of horses and barley, and the sea beyond them.
- Sewerby Hall and Gardens, Bridlington. Bridlington has an interesting Old Town and some nice churches, but it is Sewerby Hall and Gardens that stands out as its major attraction. The Grade 1 listed 18th century building has rooms in Georgian, Regency and Victorian styles as well as information on the history of the East Riding of Yorkshire. The gardens also contain a mini-zoo and an artistic layout.
The copyright of the article Seven Historic Yorkshire UK Seaside Attractions in England Travel is owned by Marc Latham. Permission to republish Seven Historic Yorkshire UK Seaside Attractions in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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