Coastal paths and moorland
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whitby abbey’s imposing position
My oldest friend and Uni roommate and her husband treated me to a long weekend for my forthcoming ‘big’ birthday, which was incredibly generous of them, so early September saw me on the other side of the Pennines for a change, on the north east coast, basing ourselves just outside Whitby.
I hadn't been to Whitby for what must be about 18 years, or Robin Hood's Bay since I was a kid, so it was lovely. As was the weather. The afternoon saw us wandering the town - up to the Abbey, onto the Prom to see the seals, meandering the narrow streets and browsing the little shops. Then it was across to the other side of the harbour, up to the whale bones, back to the car and on for a meal and something fizzy.
The following day we met up with my friend's sister and her husband (also old friends) who were camping on the cliffs above Robin Hood's Bay and the five of us walked down towards the Bay, but took the Cinder Track, joining the Cleveland Way Coastal Path to Whitby. The Cinder Path is the old Scarborough to Whitby rail line that closed in 1965 and it makes for an easy, flat walk with beautiful coastal views.
the beautiful cleveland way from robin hood’s bay to whitby
fantastic beaches
The Cleveland Way National Trail is a 109 walk from Filey to Helmsley and hugs the top of the cliffs. The views were stunning, especially coming into Whitby with the Abbey ruins looming spookily closer. After lunch on the pier, we took the Cinder Path back to Robin Hood's Bay and enjoyed fish and chips in the sun by the beach.
The next day, three of us went to Goathland, home of the popular Heartbeat series, and did a walk following West Beck up and down the valley to the Wheeldale Roman Road and back over the moors into the village for a cup of tea at the railway station, watching the steam trains.
The weather was perfect, the scenery was wonderful and the company was even better. A lovely way to kick start birthday celebrations.
fish and chip stop in robin hood’s bay
the moors around goathland