Louisa and I went on a little Holiday to Staithes in North Yorkshire at the end of January. We stayed in a tiny cottage 20 steps from the sea with no Internet and no mobile phone reception. It was the most relaxing holiday I’ve had in years. Usually we’re storming all over whichever city we’re staying in to make sure we see everything.
More photos are online in my Staithes photo set.
John Leach is a human being living in Leeds, UK.
February 17th, 2006 at 12:53
Hey there John, just thought I’d swing by and say that I’ve been on holiday several times to Staithes (well, Cowbar) and stayed in that same house with the red door (I’m presuming it’s that one, or the one next door). Unfortunately we haven’t been in a couple of years because the owner who rented it out told us it was being sold and so we presumed we wouldn’t get another chance to go. But if you’ve been, there is still hope :D
February 17th, 2006 at 12:57
James: Actually, we stayed in the one next door, with the blue door.
The red door cottage had a sign in it saying “holiday cottage for rent”. In fact, pretty much every house on that strip was available for renting.
I’m amazed you found my post within an hour of me posting it.
February 17th, 2006 at 14:07
Yes, we stayed at the blue door house – Northside cottage.
It was really nice, especially with the fire blazing. I would heartily recommend an out of season visit.
:)
February 18th, 2006 at 00:38
Well Thomas gave me your RSS feed to read so that’s why i replied so quickly ;) Me and Thomas both go to Dixons CTC (ahem, sorry Dixons City Academy) and are good friends. We also run a small company together called Tanc Developments Ltd. So maybe they’ve been misleading us all along and it really is a small world :P
July 2nd, 2006 at 15:04
heya! Just to say I have also been to staithes many time on holiday. My family own and work at the sea-drift café on the front. I have been going th staithes every year since I was born! In fact I just got back from there yesterday! I also stayed in a cottage on cowbar at the top called sea haven. I love stathes, it is a fantastic wee place!
July 31st, 2006 at 07:02
I have been going to Staithes for over 20 and never tire of it. Out of season is the best time, because i am such a regular visitor the locals know me and are very friendly. I have stayed in Alum cottage (1st right after white cottages) and it is beautiful inside.
September 4th, 2006 at 16:29
Lovely photos.
Just trying to book. Couldn’t get Alum cottage, but may stay in Fisherman’s cottage No. 4 or No. 5. Have you stayed there?
October 29th, 2006 at 16:03
i have been a regular visitor to staithes for over 20yrs. Alum cottage was particularly good a couple of years ago. A favourite of mine is Brooklyn b&b hidden away behind the frst cottage on thr right as you come down the hill.
January 25th, 2007 at 21:31
Hi! Just searching Google for a nice Staithes cottage for this years hols and it threw up your post! We were there about 15 years ago and are planning on going back this summer. Just thought I’d say ‘Hi’, and comment on your great photo script. If you don’t mind, I’ll give it a whirl on my site. Nice piece of kit. Well done and thanks :)
March 12th, 2007 at 21:11
Hi, my first response to a blog. I like the look of the cottage and am looking for a peaceful place to stay with son, and interesting dog. You don’t indicate price or contact. like the pictures, have walked many a time past thoose cottages. Any ghosts? My first btrip to staithes was avoiding a royal wedding. if you have time to reply great! All the best good light for photography.
March 25th, 2007 at 15:51
Just looking at cottages available and the photo’s of Staithes as I lived there for 10 years, feeling very nostalgic and missing the place awfully after looking at your cottages, it really is a wonderful place to both visit and live, looking at your website makes me realise just how much I miss the village, the lifestyle and the people. I will definitely be looking into renting a cottage here, thank you
May 29th, 2007 at 15:59
We stayed in a really pretty cottage in Staithes – Flither Cottage – had a BBQ in the garden, drinking cocktails looking at nesting seagulls and cormorants. Well furnished, free heating and electric, very near to all the pubs and restaurants. Have booked to return in summer. A good idea to use Staithes when it is goth weekend/jazz weekend in Whitby as W gets full and Staithes is no real distance. Their website is http://staithescottage.com
October 15th, 2007 at 00:58
Love staithes -holidayed there as a child and my girls love it now -aged 12 and 18.Brilliant place both in the summer and out of season-stayed in lots of cottages-you cant go wrong!!!!
October 27th, 2007 at 12:56
Just had a fabulous week staying at Lingdale cottage which is small and lovely. Staithes is a perfect place to get back to simple things and simple pleasures..cant wait to get back asap
February 18th, 2008 at 21:05
Well, im going in may this year actually.
I haven’t been before to staithes but by viewing pictures its really beautiful.
Im 20 years old and quite looking forward to it. Oh, a family holiday btw.
How would you rate it? out of 10?
Oh, we are staying in the orange/ terracotta coloured cottage.
October 21st, 2008 at 22:44
I first went to Staithes with my mother 48 years ago when I was 11 years old and I loved it, I would walk around Staithes on my own and hardly saw anyone around back then except for the seagulls which were very noisy all day back then.
I have always returned to Staithes now and again for a visit because I have always loved going there and I am drawn to the place for it’s beauty and peace.
I stayed in one of the cottages in Staithes with a friend more recently and my friend had a ghostly encounter with a spirit, she was so afraid that she slept on the floor beside my bed on our last evening there, and no I am not prepared to say which cottage we stayed in.
November 19th, 2008 at 16:43
Stayed at Alum Cottage earlier this year. Staithes is a loverly place to stay, but we were very unhappy with the cottage, this was the second time we have stayed there. first time it was perfect, but this year was very different. we were left without gas (heating) for 3 days, and it was very un-clean.
I think we will find a different cottage for next year.
January 9th, 2009 at 17:45
my kids booked me a cottage in staithes for my birthday it was lovely and we went back later in the year the locals are so friendly they may you feel that your at home going back in april for my honeymoon it just the perfect place
January 17th, 2009 at 06:38
I live in Denver Co,but I was born in Middlesbrough. My parents had some friends called Caroline & Bret who owned Greystones about 28 years ago and I would stay with them for weeks at a time I absolutley love Staiths.These pictures bring back so many memories.
January 24th, 2009 at 15:09
LOVED STAITHS SHAME ABOUT THE COTTAGE THERE WHER NO HEATING AND THE BATHROOM WAS DIRTY AND MOULDY ALL ROUND THE SIDES WE HAD TO GO DOWN TO WITBY FOR A BATH IN THE POOL 5 OUT OF 10 I RATE IT= ALUM COTTAGE=
March 29th, 2009 at 14:53
Hi
Just back from a short stay at Northside Cottage, Staihhes (the blue door) and found it very disappointing. Partly my fault – I didn’t ‘twig’ there was no shower and old roll top rusty baths are not my ‘thing’ unfortunately. Also, downstairs was freezing cold and, while coal fires may ‘look’ nice it’s a damned hard way to get some heat. The cottage may have more appeal in warmer months. Interesting to read the post re Alum Cottage – was thinking of that one for next time but, maybe not. Can anyone recommend a cottage that has made it to the 21st century and which isn’t in urgent need of a ‘deep clean’?
April 11th, 2009 at 12:18
I am now 69 years old & have vivid childhood memories of my first holiday ever.Holidays of any kind were hard to come by & my first was spent at Staithes. The sites and the sounds still remain with me to this day. I have been back many times to this wonderful location.For total peace and quiet (except for the Gulls) you wont find a more idyllic place
April 17th, 2009 at 17:40
We are just back from a few days in Staithes. We have a house in the village which I used to live in during the week as I worked in the area. Unfortunately my job has moved on, so we now enjoy it when we can and let it out to friends and family.
I drive for a living so leaving the car at the top and walking home to a place with no mobile reception …. bliss.
Our friends say it brings their families closer together, with their children actually “playing out” away from video games.
And the Royal George is the best pub in the world.
April 21st, 2009 at 17:30
Glad to read that people have found how magical Staiths is.I was born in Unity House in church Street,which my grand-dad owned and also Kirk Cottage next door,My mother is in a school photo in the little Chapel museum in the high street,her name being Maggie Gibbons.My grand-dad was the cobbler of staithes and his workshop was the little shed type building on the side of Unity House,my great grandmother was the midwife of the village,her name being Elizabeth Earl.My uncle used to keep the Royal George in the 1950s.Happy days………………….
April 23rd, 2009 at 11:38
It is horrible when you have booked a place and you find it dirty – where can you go? You have paid for it. I have returned to Flither Cottage last autumn – lovely and clean, massive bathroom and a super central heating system so never felt cold. Glad the bistro’s reopened. Yes, Staithes retains its magic. We found the bus service to Whitby very good. Have enjoyed many a happy ight at Captain Cook’s and the George. We plan to visit again late summer.
April 23rd, 2009 at 16:13
I see Anna stayed in Flither cottage…just as a matter of interest,the name Flither comes from the women of Staithes who had the job of baiting the nets,Flithers is the bait they used,a Flither being a Limpet.Most of the cottages in Staithes were named after boats and ships….interesting eh!
June 14th, 2009 at 22:48
Hi, planning to go to Staithes for 1 night.a friday, end of June with my teenage daughter and our dog. Can you recomend a place to stay?
Thanks, Sue
July 1st, 2009 at 12:59
Very interested to read about Staithes,one of my best places to be in my life,we used to look after the Royal George Pub in the late 60/70 when our relations who ran it at the time(Ron and Iris) went on holiday,I used to know the beck like the back of my hand!Live in Dubai now and still miss Staithes,will end up back there one day,dead or alive!
August 4th, 2009 at 15:14
Hi there, we bought Auntie Annie’s cottage, the red door (no 6 Northside) in May of this year. We’ve had a new bathroom with loads of hot water and power shower and downstairs toilet put in and reburbished it throughtout.It even has its own private parking space. The history of the cottage is fascinating. It appears on Frank M. Sutcliffes famous photograph of the fisherman sat on the “bink” by the front door and of course Auntie Annie herself was the lady who owned the cottage until her mid 90’s. Please look at the website, we are proud of what we have achieved with this great cottage. Thanks, Denise and Paul