Herb Riddle's photos with the keyword: Staithes

Staithes Beck is a very small river indeed as it runs down the steep valley to the harbour mouth here at the picturesque village of Staithes itself. Most of the buildings here are the original ones, some centuries old but as can be plainly seen, quite renewed with new roofs etc. We still see some rope shellfish-traps on top of the old slipway which is testament to the ageless presence of its fishing industry. Enjoy full size and have a great week.

Another view from the water and sandy bottom of the harbour. The main sandstone cliff end is called Cowbar Nab and dominates the bottom of the village. Again we see the Cob & Lobster pub here which has in fact been washed into the sea on four occasions, the last time being in 1953. Another old view of nearly the same scene: www.sutcliffe.gallery/photo_3184675.html#photos_id=3184675 I hope you have enjoyed this visit to Staithes and no doubt we will revisit it again in the future. Enjoy. Herb

Looking almost like a surfaced submarine, here we see the end of the breakwater wall of Staithes harbour. Pretty windy this day as can be seen here. Essential full screen viewing. Enjoy. Herb

It’s still early here at Staithes and a little fishing is planned for the afternoon on the harbour wall. Before that though this chap must dig up a few lug-worms for his bait. In these days of Brexit exile there are a few out there who feel the need to still carry the flag with some pride! Enjoy. Herb

From the end of the village sea-front there are many signs of its past heritage. This photo taken on a cold windy day with rain in the air shows the tide coming in. The link to the photo of Frank Meadow Sutcliffe shows a photo along this front in the good-old-days of 1875. www.sutcliffe.gallery/photo_3184637.html Enjoy full size and have a great week.

A walk over the wet sand gives me a view of the bottom village with a bit of sun. The first people are getting a seat at the pub and are probably watching to see what I am doing here. This scene must be a world away from the same place a couple of centuries , with its many ships of sail here and multiple fishing boats too. The place would have been heaving with working families making a living from the sea. The name Staithes means 'landing place' in Old English, and the village once boasted one of the largest fishing ports in the area with around 80 boats coming in and out of the harbour on a daily basis. The fishermen traditionally used a coble which is a type of open fishing boat, developed on the North East Coast. See www.sutcliffe.gallery/photo_3184682.html#photos_id=3197650 for old photo from here. Enjoy full screen. Herb

One of the two main streets here, with a few shops and hospitalities. This normally heaving street is very rarely as quite as this which was fortunate as I managed to get the cobbled road free of footfall and traffic. Time has done its damage here as in lots of similar villages, I remember many more shop fronts here in the 45+ years that I have been visiting, now turned into holiday homes or an artist getaway. Ah well, it could be worse at least we are not seeing concrete shopping centres -yet. Around the corner, you come to the sea end of this lane, opposite the very distinctive 'Cob & Lobster' Inn. See PiP Enjoy. Herb

No matter how you approach the village of Staithes, it is a steep road to the bottom. Here we have one of the two ways down, called Beckside. The beck (river) can just about be seen here with the bit of white boat and runs down behind these houses on the left. As can be seen, fishing paraphernalia abounds all around the village but nowadays, I suspect most is just for the sake of the tourist. Enjoy full screen

Back to last year’s trip to the Yorkshire coast and we see here a view looking up this small tidal part of the river. In past years this section would have been teeming with fishing boats sheltering from the rough seas just a couple of hundred meters below us. Now just one or two die-hard crafts still moor here; so is the scene in all our old fishing villages. It’s early and so I precede the hordes of tourist who now flock to this historical quant place and for once, the weather is kind. Follow PiP for opposite side view in full screen. (page before this one.) Enjoy full screen and have a good week

A view of Staithes Beck at low tide as it runs into the harbour and sea here. The mono look is an attempt of showing how this relatively untouched old fishing village may have looked in the last century – only the cars, satellite dish and modern outfits give the game away :) See PiP for the opposite side view. Enjoy full screen and have a good week.

Another view of this old fishing village, this time showing more of the inner village with its river 'Staithes Beck'. The preceding photo was taken from the top of the hill in the background, to the left of the fence, Essential full screen

Described as a village full of character, I think that plays down the description a little! Here we see most of the lower village. It has winding cobbled streets full of charming 18th century cottages and shops. When you are there, it is difficult to believe that it was once one of the largest fishing ports in the north east. A great place to explore with its rock pools and fossil cliffs, not to mention its olde-worlde pub in prime position on the quay. Staithes' most famous resident, James Cook worked in Staithes as a grocer's apprentice where he first gained his passion for the sea. Enjoy full screen Our friend Toz has other views from here too: www.ipernity.com/doc/2405228/50371960