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
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 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.
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.
North Yorkshire Moors Railway
Pickering Station, Park Street, Pickering, YO18 7AJ
Take a trip on one of the world's greatest heritage railways with 24 miles of scenery!
Old Coastguards Station - Visitor Centre
The Dock, Robin Hoods Bay, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO22 4SJ
The Old Coastguard Station visitor centre at the edge of the sea in Robin Hood’s Bay village will help you discover what makes this part of the Yorkshire Coast so special.
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.
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.
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.
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 *** CLOSED ***
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.
Kirkleatham Museum
Kirkleatham, Redcar, Cleveland, TS10 5NW
This splendid 1710 Queen Anne building is home to Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council's, Kirkleatham Museum. These beautiful grounds also have a Picnic and play area.
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.
The Lickerish Tooth
The Old Grange, High Street, Lythe, North Yorkshire, YO21 3RT
The Lickerish Tooth was born from the minds of two drunk men, and a wife who went along with it.
Wold Top Brewery
Hunmanby Grange, Wold Newton, Driffield, YO25 3HS
Wold Top Brewery is an award-winning micro brewery that uses traditional methods to produce high quality beers that combine the characters of the Yorkshire Wolds and the East Coast.
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.
Whitby Abbey - CLOSED
Whitby Abbey, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO22 4JT
CLOSED 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.
Castle Howard *** CLOSED ***
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.
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.
Scarborough Spa - CLOSED
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.
Nunnington Hall
Nunnington Hall, Nunnington, YORK, YO62 5UY
Enjoy the atmosphere of this beautiful Yorkshire manor house, nestled on the quiet banks of the River Rye.
