Runswick Bay among the prettiest coastal villages in the UK

It manages to feel both small and tucked away, yet has enough pubs, walks and photo spots to fill a weekend.

A bay village on the cliff

Runswick Bay is a compact former fishing village on North Yorkshire’s heritage coast, just north of Whitby and a short drive from Staithes – and it has been described as ‘ridiculous beautiful’ The Express as it “boasts a mile of secluded bay and gorgeous beach”

The cottages spill down the hillside towards the water, their tiled roofs and narrow lanes giving the place a slightly tumbled, storybook feel.

At low tide there is a broad arc of sand that pulls in families, swimmers and paddleboarders, with rock pools and low cliffs framing the bay.

From working harbour to holiday spot

The village grew up around fishing, with boats once drawn up on the beach and gear stored in small buildings close to the shore.

As that industry tailed off, many of the cottages were turned into holiday lets and second homes, but you can still see traces of the working past in the ginnels, old net stores and slipways leading down to the sand.

Above it all, the Cleveland Way runs along the clifftop, giving easy access to big coastal views and longer walks.

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Pubs, food and places to warm up

For somewhere this small, it has a decent choice of places to warm up or refuel.

The Royal Hotel sits above the bay with a beer garden looking out to sea, serving pub classics, local fish dishes and a children’s menu.

At the top of the bank, the Runswick Bay Hotel offers meals and breakfasts in season, handy if you’ve parked at the top or are waiting for a bus.

A short drive away in Hinderwell, The Badger Hounds and The Ellerby Country Inn both trade on home‑cooked food, Sunday lunches and local produce, making them easy add‑ons if you want to turn a simple beach stop into a full day out.

Other things to do

Beyond the beach itself, there are a few easy extras if you want to stretch the day out. At low tide you can wander along the sands to hunt for fossils and sea glass, or pick your way around the rocks towards Kettleness, keeping an eye on tide times and the cliffs above.

Inland, short drives link Runswick Bay to the likes of Staithes and Sandsend for more harbour walks and cafés, while Whitby is close enough for a combined trip taking in the abbey, 199 steps and fish and chips on the harbour.

For walkers, the Cleveland Way gives straightforward circular options from the village, with cliff‑top paths, skylarks and big views back over the curve of the bay.

Where’s your favourite ‘hidden gem’ in the region? Let us know in the comments.