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.
Whitby Abbey
Whitby Abbey, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO22 4JT
High on a cliff above the Yorkshire seaside town of Whitby are the gaunt, imposing remains of Whitby Abbey. Whitby Abbey was recently named Britain’s most romantic ruin.
Sledmere House
Sledmere House, Sledmere, DRIFFIELD, Yorkshire, YO25 3XG
One of Yorkshire's most beautiful houses, with some of England's finest plasterwork. Award-winning garden. Military Museum, children's quiz, picnic and play area, terrace cafe and gift shop.
Captain Cook Memorial Monument
East Terrace, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO21 3HA
Bronze Monument of Captain Cook. On the West Cliff over looking the harbour across to the East cliff.
Rotunda Museum
Vernon Road, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO11 2PS
Full of fascinating objects, the Rotunda Museum is home to a unique Bronze Age man and the skeleton of a Plesiosaur found on the Yorkshire Coast.
Tocketts Mill Country Park
Skelton Road, Guisborough, Cleveland, TS14 6QA
Although a Mill has probably occupied this excellent position since the 13th Century, Tocketts has evolved progressively over the intervening years, reaching it's final height and form in about 1850.
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.
Whitby Museum
Pannett Park, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO21 1RE
Whitby Museum is an independent Museum founded in 1823 and run by Whitby Literary & Philosophical Society.
Whale Bone Arch
Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO21 3HA
Original Whale jaw bone arch was erected some time after 1853. A replica was presented to Whitby by Norway in 1963. The current replacement was donated by Alaska in April 2003.
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.
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.
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.
Scarborough Lifeboat Station - RNLI
Lifeboat Station House, Foreshore Road, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO11 1PB
The RNLI is the charity that provides a 24-hour lifesaving service around the UK and Republic of Ireland. In the event of an emergency at sea call 999
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.
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.
Clock Tower
Esplanade, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO11 2AY
The famous Clock Tower overlooking the South Bay as featured in the The Royal TV series.
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.
Beck Isle Museum of Rural Life
Bridge Street, Pickering, North Yorkshire, YO18 8DU
Bygones of Victorian age with something of interest to all ages many rooms including a grocer's shop children's room printer's workshop costume room kitchen.
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.
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
