Discover the Culture
Feed your mind and soul on the Yorkshire Coast
The history of the Yorkshire Coast has been a turbulent and fascinating one, to say the least. Around 160 million years ago, it was on the migration path of herds of dinosaurs, which left behind many footprints. You can also find many fossils including beautiful ammonite, belemnities and other fascinating creatures.
The Coastline has been invaded by the Romans, the Anglo-Saxons, the Vikings and the Normans. We've seen great communities built, and others disappear into the sea. We've been ome to great explorers, men and women of religion, smugglers, fishermen, artists and writers.
Into modern day the Yorkshire Coast can feed your mind and soul on the Yorkshire Coast with world-class theatre and art, great music and a range of ventures from the beachside pubs to internationally renowned theatres such as Bridlington's historic Spa and 'favourite little venue', the spotlight theatre, Whitby's clifftop Pavillion and Scarborough's world renowned Stephen Joseph Theatre, Open Air Theatre and Spa.
And while you're here try catch one of our many festivals, chance are if you can think of somethingg that comes under the heading of 'Culture' we have a festival for it.
Discover Yorkshire Coast has worked in partnership with North York Moors National Park, Visit Ryedale and Welcome to Yorkshire to provide four fantastic films! The themes of the films are:
To find out more information about the Yorkshire Coast & North York Moors please visit -
Stately Homes, Castles and Abbeys
Castle ruins and abbeys, carefully preserved stately homes - we've some of the world's best around Yorkshire!
- Burton Agnes Hall
- Burton Constable Hall
- Castle Howard
- Nunnington Hall
- Rievaulx Abbey
- Scarborough Castle
- Sewerby Hall
- Sledmere House
- Wassand Hall
- Whitby Abbey
Galleries
Art and the Coast have always gone hand in hand, and the Yorkshire Coast is no exception!
Artists have always been drawn to our spectacular scenery, and the results can be seen in just about every one of the lovely villages and towns. From the larger municipal galleries in towns to the smaller, independant selling galleries where you might just find that perfect piece you've been searching for.Keeping an eye out for the 'pop-up' galleries that appear at our regular arts festivals, such as the annual Staithes Festival of Arts and Heritage, which takes place each September.
Live Music
Pop, Rock, Folk, World, Classical, Jazz: there are so many choices when it comes to music and we cater for them all.
Both Bridlington and Scarborough Spa's and The Open Air Theatre at Scarborough host some of the biggest names in the world.
Our music festivals are second to none - Scarborough's Jazz festival is regularly named as one of the country's best, as Whitby favourites Musicport and Folk Week, but don't forget Bridlington's Northern Soul Weekener and Filey Town Festival.
Museums
Whatever your historical interest, there's a museum for you:
Theatres
We've plenty of theatres that present a wide range of entertainement to keep you busy during your visit on the Yorkshire Coast.
Scarborough has the Stephen Joseph Theatre, The Open Air Theatre and the Multi Venue Scarborough Spa. Whitby is home to the Clifftop Pavillion whilst Bridlington is home to the Spotlight Theatre and the Bridlington Spa.
Architecture
Whether your architectural tastes run to ancient ruins, medieval castles and abbeys, Elizabethan Manor Houses, Georgian and Victorian domesticity or Art Deco glamour, you'll find something of interest in the towns and villages on the Yorkshire Coast.
Definatly not to be missed are the great ruins of Whitby Abbey, Scarborough Castle and Rievaulx Abbey, all conveniently located within a couple of hours drive of each other. There are multiple stately homes packed with treasures and unparallleled art collections including Castle Howard, which took over 100 years to build, starting in 1699.
Anne Bronte's Grave
Castle Road, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO11 1HY
Burial site of the late literary icon, Anne Bronte. She is buried in St Mary's Church graveyard in Scarborough; a place she loved; a place she portrayed in both her novels.
Ampleforth Abbey
Ampleforth, York, YO62 4EN
Ampleforth Abbey has been home to a Community of Benedictine monks since 1802. The Abbey Church is the centre of monastic life and is open to visitors all year round.
Scarborough Art Gallery
The Crescent, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO11 2PW
Built in the 1840s as part of The Crescent in Scarborough, this gallery has two rooms devoted to displaying works from the Borough's art collection.
Filey Museum
8-10 Queen Street, Filey, North Yorkshire, YO14 9HB
Filey Museum is in Queen Street in the old part of the town near to the 12th century St Oswald's Church. The museum buildings themselves date from the 17th century.
The Scarborough Fair Collection
Lebberston Cliff, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO11 3NU
So much more than just a working steam museum, The Scarborough Fair Collection is where the past truly comes to life.
St Martin-On-The-Hill
Albion Road, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO11 2DD
St Martin's Church was completed in 1863 and was designed by George Bodley. The beauty of the church is famous in the area and features excellent examples of pre-Raphaelite stained glass.
Cleveland Ironstone Mining Museum
Deepdale, Skinningrove, Saltburn-by-The-Sea, Cleveland, TS13 4AP
The museum is situated on the site of Cleveland's first ironstone mine. Hear how ironstone was first discovered in the Cleveland area hear the Trappy lad's tales of his first day underground and the friends he made
Whitby Harbour
St Annes Staith, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO21 3PY
From the atmospheric Abbey towering over winding cobbled streets to the windswept beach and working harbour, Whitby is not your traditional coastal town.
Captain Cook Schoolroom Museum
101 High Street, Great Ayton, North Yorkshire, TS9 6NB
A reconstruction of an early 18th Century schoolroom, housed in a 1785 building on the site of the school which James Cook attended. Interactive displays show his voyages of discovery.
Eden Camp Modern History Theme Museum
Junction of A169, Malton, YO17 6RT
Housed in the buildings and grounds of an original WWII Prisoner of War Camp, a visit to our unique museum will transport you back in time to experience the sights, sounds and smells wartime Britain.
Scampston Hall & Walled Garden
Scampston, Malton, YO17 8NG
This country house has remained in the same family since the 17th century. Extensively remodelled in 1801 by the architect Thomas Leverton with fine Regency interiors and now houses an important collection of works of art.
The Great Yorkshire Brewery
The New Inn & Cropton brewery, Cropton, North Yorkshire, YO18 8HH
Unique opportunity to see inside a micro brewery producing award-winning real ale in a rural setting on the edge of the North York Moors National Park and Cropton Forest.
Pickering Castle
Castlegate, Pickering, YO18 7AX
Situated in an attractive market town at the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors, Pickering Castle is a classic 12th century motte-and-bailey castle.
Wharram Percy Deserted Medieval Village
Wharram le Street, Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 9TW
The most famous and intensively studied of Britain's 3,000 or so deserted medieval villages, Wharram Percy occupies a remote but attractive site in a beautiful Wolds valley.
Helmsley Castle
Castlegate, Helmsley, York, YO62 5AB
Towering over the attractive market town of Helmsley, and surrounded by spectacular banks and ditches, Helmsley Castle is an imposing sight with a wealth of history.
Terror Tower
21 Foreshore Road, Scarborough, YO11 1PB
Inspired by the best horror movies Terror Tower is a Haunted House attraction with a serious twist, combining live actors, animated scenes and special effects.
Whitby Brewery
Abbey Farm, East Cliff, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO22 4JR
When we started up our microbrewery back in 2013, we made it our mission to bring local, craft brewing back to Whitby.
Scarborough Spa
South Bay, Foreshore Road, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO11 2HD
The Spa Complex is unique amongst British Venues, not only because of its coastal location on the beautiful South Bay, but also for the variety of facilities housed within the magnificent Victorian building.
Horsetown Beers Limited
20 Westfield Avenue, Norton, Malton, YO17 8DN
Beer Company selling beers that celebrate the history of Horse Racing in Malton and Middleham in North Yorkshire. 5p from every bottle and pint we sell is donated to Racing Welfare.
Castle Howard
Castle Howard Estate Limited., Castle Howard, York, YO60 7DA
Castle Howard is one of Britain's finest historic houses with awe-inspiring architecture, grand interiors and rolling parkland and gardens. With gift shops, garden centre, farm shop, cafes and adventure playground.
