Rowan Cottage Sleights Guidebook
Sightseeing
Whitby Abbey is run by English Heritage. It can be accessed either by walking up the 199 steps, or via the car park at the rear.
112 locals recommend
Whitby Abbey
Abbey LaneWhitby Abbey is run by English Heritage. It can be accessed either by walking up the 199 steps, or via the car park at the rear.
The 199 steps are iconic to Whitby. They offer great views, and at the top you can see St Mary's church and visit the Abbey. For those counting, you will find the steps numbered with small brass markers, to assist you!
13 locals recommend
199 Steps
The 199 steps are iconic to Whitby. They offer great views, and at the top you can see St Mary's church and visit the Abbey. For those counting, you will find the steps numbered with small brass markers, to assist you!
Whitby's Old Lifeboat Trips
New Quay RoadTake a trip from Whitby, out into the bay.
The North York Moors railway, as seen on TV, is a must see. With stations at Whitby, Sleights, Grosmont, Goathland, Levisham and Pickering, you can travel and explore over the day, or book on one of their specials. Look out for special events over the year.
69 locals recommend
North Yorkshire Moors Railway
The North York Moors railway, as seen on TV, is a must see. With stations at Whitby, Sleights, Grosmont, Goathland, Levisham and Pickering, you can travel and explore over the day, or book on one of their specials. Look out for special events over the year.
In common with most British seasides, Whitby has its own amusement arcades alongside the harbour.
Miller Amusements Ltd
24 - 30 Pier RdIn common with most British seasides, Whitby has its own amusement arcades alongside the harbour.
A little further afield if staying in Whitby, but well worth a visit to the historic Burton Agnes Hall and extensive gardens.
41 locals recommend
Burton Agnes Hall Cafe
Rudston RoadA little further afield if staying in Whitby, but well worth a visit to the historic Burton Agnes Hall and extensive gardens.
Duncombe Park, Helmsley offers both a history house and gardens, as well as a falconry centre. It also hosts several special events over the year.
14 locals recommend
Duncombe Park
Duncombe Park, Helmsley offers both a history house and gardens, as well as a falconry centre. It also hosts several special events over the year.
The falling foss waterfall, can be accessed on foot from the cottage, if you are a strong walker, but also via car. The waterfall is lovely, and the cafe serves great cream scones.
51 locals recommend
Falling Foss Tea Garden
The falling foss waterfall, can be accessed on foot from the cottage, if you are a strong walker, but also via car. The waterfall is lovely, and the cafe serves great cream scones.
Helmsley is a gorgeous market town, with some great deli's and cafe's and some quirky shops. Visit it in combination with Helmsley castle, and Rivieaulx.
104 locals recommend
Helmsley
Helmsley is a gorgeous market town, with some great deli's and cafe's and some quirky shops. Visit it in combination with Helmsley castle, and Rivieaulx.
Pickering is at the end of the North York Moors railway, or can be accessed via the coastliner bus. Its a lovely little market town, worth going when the market is on.
66 locals recommend
Pickering
Pickering is at the end of the North York Moors railway, or can be accessed via the coastliner bus. Its a lovely little market town, worth going when the market is on.
Staithes is a really quaint little fishing port. It has a small beach, but is more famous for its quirky shops. Its an artists and photographer's favourite. Be aware though, the car park is at the top of the hill, and its quite a stiff climb in and out.
74 locals recommend
Staithes
Staithes is a really quaint little fishing port. It has a small beach, but is more famous for its quirky shops. Its an artists and photographer's favourite. Be aware though, the car park is at the top of the hill, and its quite a stiff climb in and out.
Robin Hood's bay is another beautiful little seaside town. Again, the carp park is at the top of a steep hill, but there are some lovely little shops, some discovered through the narrow streets and good places to eat and drink, and a decent beach and rock pools.
156 locals recommend
Robin Hood's Bay
Robin Hood's bay is another beautiful little seaside town. Again, the carp park is at the top of a steep hill, but there are some lovely little shops, some discovered through the narrow streets and good places to eat and drink, and a decent beach and rock pools.
Ravenscar is an odd place. Its beautiful and offers great walks, as well as the remains of Alum production, and a ghost village/station, where the railway was meant to serve, but was removed before it was established.
28 locals recommend
Ravenscar
Ravenscar is an odd place. Its beautiful and offers great walks, as well as the remains of Alum production, and a ghost village/station, where the railway was meant to serve, but was removed before it was established.
Danby is home to the Moors National park centre. Some great walks can be accessed from here, or you can browse the centre, gallery, or woodland and have a nice meal in the tearoom.
24 locals recommend
The Moors National Park Centre
Lodge LaneDanby is home to the Moors National park centre. Some great walks can be accessed from here, or you can browse the centre, gallery, or woodland and have a nice meal in the tearoom.
York is a little more distant for a day out, but at just over an hour, well worth the visit.
409 locals recommend
York
York is a little more distant for a day out, but at just over an hour, well worth the visit.
Beach
The North Beach offers a large expanse of sand, for walking, sandcastles, and playing games.
48 locals recommend
Whitby Beach
1 Pier RdThe North Beach offers a large expanse of sand, for walking, sandcastles, and playing games.
Runswick bay, is a small, but lovely little seaside town. Limited facilities, but a decent size beach to explore.
72 locals recommend
Runswick Bay
Runswick bay, is a small, but lovely little seaside town. Limited facilities, but a decent size beach to explore.
Icons
Another iconic spot is the Whitby Swing bridge. You will likely cross is to explore the town, but if you checkout the blackboard you will discover the timings for it opening, which is a spectacle in itself.
Swing Bridge
Bridge StreetAnother iconic spot is the Whitby Swing bridge. You will likely cross is to explore the town, but if you checkout the blackboard you will discover the timings for it opening, which is a spectacle in itself.
Quirky Sights
This is just one of the many snickets and ginnels (to use the Yorkshire terms) which you might explore. Watch out for the backways behind the amusements also.
Arguments Yd
Church StreetThis is just one of the many snickets and ginnels (to use the Yorkshire terms) which you might explore. Watch out for the backways behind the amusements also.
Food scene
The Magpie restaurant in Whitby, is a favourite seafood restaurant for Foodies. You can get fish'n'chips at the takeaway, but the restaurant has a much wider range of great quality seafood.
53 locals recommend
Magpie Café
14 Pier RdThe Magpie restaurant in Whitby, is a favourite seafood restaurant for Foodies. You can get fish'n'chips at the takeaway, but the restaurant has a much wider range of great quality seafood.
We'd also recommend Trenchers, for fish 'n' chips. Lots of locals use it in the winter. One plus, is they offer gluten free fish 'n' chips.
28 locals recommend
Trenchers
New Quay RoadWe'd also recommend Trenchers, for fish 'n' chips. Lots of locals use it in the winter. One plus, is they offer gluten free fish 'n' chips.
You can access Botham's of Whitby (think Betty's but more affordable) either in the village on certain days for takeaways, or at the resturants/cafes in Whitby, one in Skinner street, and one in the shopping street across from the station.
29 locals recommend
E. Botham & Sons
35/39 Skinner StYou can access Botham's of Whitby (think Betty's but more affordable) either in the village on certain days for takeaways, or at the resturants/cafes in Whitby, one in Skinner street, and one in the shopping street across from the station.
Beacon Farm icecream can be bought in Whitby, but you can also visit the source, just outside Whitby and use their icecream parlour.
Beacon Farm Ice Cream
Beacon WayBeacon Farm icecream can be bought in Whitby, but you can also visit the source, just outside Whitby and use their icecream parlour.
Fortune's Kippers smokes its kippers the traditional way. If you are lucky you will see them loading the smokers. You can often smell them before you find them. Worth a trip.
9 locals recommend
Fortune's Kippers
22 Henrietta StFortune's Kippers smokes its kippers the traditional way. If you are lucky you will see them loading the smokers. You can often smell them before you find them. Worth a trip.
Radford's is a family run butchers in Sleights, which serves the local village and area around. They sell fresh meats, cooked pastries and ready meals, and a selection of fresh vegetables.
Sleights
Radford's is a family run butchers in Sleights, which serves the local village and area around. They sell fresh meats, cooked pastries and ready meals, and a selection of fresh vegetables.
Eskdale fisheries, is our local fish and chip shop, a short walk from the cottage, and has the option of both takeaway and a restaurant. Just as good as the offerings in Whitby.
Eskdale Fisheries
159 Coach RdEskdale fisheries, is our local fish and chip shop, a short walk from the cottage, and has the option of both takeaway and a restaurant. Just as good as the offerings in Whitby.
The Plough Inn has been recommended by many of our guests, and is accessible on foot from the cottage.
7 locals recommend
The Plough
180 Coach RdThe Plough Inn has been recommended by many of our guests, and is accessible on foot from the cottage.
History
The Captain cook museum gives a fascinating glimpse into the history of martime exploration from Whitby.
32 locals recommend
Captain Cook Memorial Museum Whitby
Grape LaneThe Captain cook museum gives a fascinating glimpse into the history of martime exploration from Whitby.
St mary's church, at the top of the 199 steps is well worth a look inside. Its jam packed with pews, some for strangers, one for the preachers wife, with ear trumpet.
12 locals recommend
Church of Saint Mary
Abbey PlainSt mary's church, at the top of the 199 steps is well worth a look inside. Its jam packed with pews, some for strangers, one for the preachers wife, with ear trumpet.
Eden camp is a huge museum, with amazing wartime artifacts, and displays.
60 locals recommend
Eden Camp Modern History Theme Museum
Eden camp is a huge museum, with amazing wartime artifacts, and displays.
If you fancy a day out, then a bus, car or even steam train will take you to Pickering, which is a delightful market town, but also has an English heritage castle.
16 locals recommend
Pickering Castle
CastlegateIf you fancy a day out, then a bus, car or even steam train will take you to Pickering, which is a delightful market town, but also has an English heritage castle.
Beck Isle Museum
The Beck Isle museum is well worth a day out.
Another possible day out for people staying in the area. Run by English heritage, visit the ruins of Byland Abbey.
27 locals recommend
Byland Abbey
65Another possible day out for people staying in the area. Run by English heritage, visit the ruins of Byland Abbey.
Helmsley castle is run by English Heritage, and well worth a visit, especially on a warm day, when you can enjoy a picnic in the grounds.
25 locals recommend
Helmsley Castle
CastlegateHelmsley castle is run by English Heritage, and well worth a visit, especially on a warm day, when you can enjoy a picnic in the grounds.
Another excellent day out, is the Ryedale folk museum, with lots of rebuilt historic builldings and exhibits, its worth giving it some time.
25 locals recommend
Ryedale Folk Museum
Another excellent day out, is the Ryedale folk museum, with lots of rebuilt historic builldings and exhibits, its worth giving it some time.
Scarborough castle largely consists of its keep and walls, but its still worth a visit, and particularly when they have special events going on.
87 locals recommend
Scarborough Castle
Scarborough castle largely consists of its keep and walls, but its still worth a visit, and particularly when they have special events going on.
Gardens
Pannett Park
Pannet Park is a lovely little garden space to explore
The Walled garden at Helmsley, is a beautiful enclosed garden to visit, with local artisans on the premises, and a wonderful cafe.
Helmsley Walled Garden Limited
10 Acres ClThe Walled garden at Helmsley, is a beautiful enclosed garden to visit, with local artisans on the premises, and a wonderful cafe.