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.
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.
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.
Sewerby Hall and Gardens
Church Lane, Sewerby, BRIDLINGTON, Yorkshire, YO15 1EA
Sewerby Hall and Gardens is the place to visit all year round. Uniquely situated in a dramatic clifftop position with spectacular views over Bridlington and set in 50 acres of early 19th Century parkland.
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.
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.
John Bull's World of Rock
Lancaster Road, Carnaby, Bridlington, YO15 3QY
At John Bull's World of Rock there are factory demonstrations available Monday-Friday in peak season. The cafe and shop are open all year round 7 days a week with the shop selling a wide range of gifts and treats. Free parking.
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.
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.
Ampleforth Abbey
Ampleforth, York, YO62 4EN
Ampleforth Abbey is open all year and includes a visitor centre, tea room, gift shop and beautiful grounds.
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.
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.
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.
Milton Rooms
Milton Rooms, 4 Market Place, Malton, YO17 7LX
The Milton Rooms is managed for the benefit of the community by the Milton Rooms Management Committee [MRMC], which is a not for profit charity aiming to sustain its own operations.
Captain Cook Memorial Museum, Whitby
Grape Lane, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO22 4BA
Celebrates the life of the great explorer Captain Cook, and the crews, the artists and scientists who sailed with him on his momentous voyages. Gold Award winner for best small visitor attraction,Visit England Awards for Excellence
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.
Brass Castle Brewery
Systems House, 10A Yorkersgate, Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 7AB
Brass Castle Brewery is informally open to visitors. A Tap Room bar opens Thursday - Sunday serving freshly-brewed beers on site.
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.
