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.
St Mary's Church, Scarborough
St Mary's Church, Castle Road, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO11 1RY
Scarborough's finest and most ancient church full of history and beauty. A place of peace once damaged by war as old as Scarborough Castle. Anne Bronte's grave can be seen in the grounds of this medieval church.
Old St Stephen's Church
Church House, Church Lane, Fylingthorpe, WHITBY, North Yorkshire, YO22 4PN
A fishermen's church overlooking the sea.
Ampleforth Abbey
Ampleforth, York, YO62 4EN
Ampleforth Abbey is open all year and includes a visitor centre, tea room, gift shop and beautiful grounds.
Staithes Gallery
High Street, Staithes, North Yorkshire, TS13 5BH
Staithes Gallery displays an astonishing variety of quality contemporary art inspired by its location in a historic Yorkshire fishing village with strong artistic traditions.
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.
Kirkham Priory
Whitwell on the Hill, Malton, YO60 7JS
Beautifully placed between the city of York and the town of Malton , the riverside ruins of Kirkham Priory are set in the beautiful Derwent valley near the Yorkshire Wolds.
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.
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.
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 Bram Stoker Dracula Experience
Marine Parade, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO21 3PR
The Dracula Experience is a unique tour through the Dracula story and the connection to Whitby. Using animated scenes, electronic special effects and live actors.
Rievaulx Abbey
Rievaulx Abbey, Rievaulx, York, YO62 5LB
Escape the crowds and experience the serene beauty of this impressive monastic site, in the middle of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park.
Robin Hood's Bay and Fylingdales Museum
Fisherhead, Robin Hoods Bay, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO22 4ST
Ryedale Folk Museum
Hutton-le-Hole, Nr. Pickering, North Yorkshire, YO62 6UA
As you step through the entrance of the Ryedale Folk Museum you will be transported back in time. Take a walk through the site and learn about the history of Ryedale from centuries past.
Malton Museum
36 Yorkersgate, MALTON, North Yorkshire, YO17 7AB
Malton Museum is an independent museum. It is Accredited, is a registered charity, and is run by volunteers assisted by a temporary, part-time Development Officer.
Nunnington Hall
Nunnington, Nr Helmsley, York, YO62 5UY
The sheltered walled garden on the bank of the River Rye, with its delightful mixed borders, orchards of traditional fruit varieties and spring-flowering meadows, complements this mellow 17th-century manor house.
Bridlington Harbour
Harbour Road, Bridlington, YO15 2SJ
Bridlington's historic harbour is the largest shell fish port in England and is home to trawlers, private yachts, fishing boats, speedboats, pleasure craft, the Yorkshire Belle and the Pirate Ship.
Bayle Museum
Bayle Gate, Bridlington Old Town, YO16 4PZ
Situated in Bridlington's historic Old Town near the Priory Church. The Monastic Gatehouse with a history of over 800 years has displays and modern interactives to interest all ages.
North Bay Railway & Sky Trail Adventure
Burniston Road, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO12 6PF
Travel on Britain's most historic seaside miniature railway running for 3/4 mile through the North Bay at Scarborough, with spectacular views of Scarborough's North Bay, historic headland & Scarborough Castle.
The Priory Church, Bridlington
Church Green, Bridlington Old Town, Bridlington, Y016 7JX
The Priory Church of St Mary, in Bridlington’s Old Town, was founded as an Augustinian monastery in 1113 and was from the start a rich and important religious house.
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.
