England Coast Path - Sandsend to Whitby
This walk starts in the quiet village of Sandsend passing beaches and cafes then winds through the centre of Whitby finishing with a climb up 199 steps to Whitby Abbey giving stunning views back across the town.
A
Lythe walk
posted on 17/02/22 by sarahhcfe. Last update : 30/03/22
Description
(S) From the car park at Sandsend, cross the bridge over Sandsend Beck and follow the A174 along the seafront (or along the beach at low tide). Cross East Row Beck using the footbridge if the tide is in. At low tide you can cross via the beach. At the other side rejoin Sandsend Road/A174 as this turns inland passing Whitby Golf Course on your left. Continue on Sandsed Road passing the entrance to the Golf Club.
(1) At the end of the golf course turn left onto the paved track, the Cleveland Way is clearly marked here. Follow this track, it will pass underneath a bridge and down the hill.
(2) There is a cycle path to your right, you can take this which will take you along the top of the cliffs or continue walking down to the beach and along the promenade. There are a number of paths winding down the slopes from the top of the bank near the houses to the beach below. When you reach the Pavillion, take the road leading upwards. This will end at the Captain Cook Statue. If you have taken the top path, this will also end here.
(3) Walk through the Whalebone Arch and down the steps to Khyber Pass. At the bottom, cross the road walking down the steps towards the bandstand.
(4) At the Bandstand, turn left to walk along the pier then return to the bandstand and continue walking along Pier Road.
(5) Cross the Swing Bridge over the River Esk into Bridge Street.
(6) Turn left into Church Street checking out the many interesting shops along the way.
(7) At the end of Church Street, take the steps to Whitby Abbey (E).
Waypoints
- S : km 0 - alt. 9 m - Sandsend Car Park
- 1 : km 2.43 - alt. 37 m - Cleveland Way Signpost
- 2 : km 2.88 - alt. 11 m - Gate/Cleveland Way Signpost
- 3 : km 4.6 - alt. 26 m - Whalebone Arch
- 4 : km 5.16 - alt. 6 m - Bandstand
- 5 : km 5.57 - alt. 6 m - Swing Bridge
- 6 : km 5.72 - alt. 11 m - Junction of Bridge Street/Church Street
- 7 : km 5.9 - alt. 10 m - Steps to Whitby Abbey
- E : km 6.06 - alt. 39 m - Whitby Abbey
Useful Information
Transport: Park at Sandsend or Whitby Abbey, take the Arriva X4 bus from Whitby bus station towards Loftus to Sandsend. There are plenty of car parks in Whitby, also a park and ride in busy times. The train station is next to the bus station.
Facilities: There are toilets at Sandsend Car Park next to the Wits End Cafe and Walled Garden. There are a number of cafes in Sandsend and numerous cafes, restaurants, kiosks and toilets in Whitby.
Accessibility: The walk is on paved surfaces from Sandsend to the Captain Cook Statue. Wheelchair users will then need to continue along East Terrace and then take Khyber Pass to the bandstand. There is only one way to get to the abbey from the town centre which is via the 199 steps. Should you wish to visit the abbey then you will need to go by car which is approximately 1.5 miles from the town centre. The site is accessible.
Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.
During the walk or to do/see around
- Sandsend Beach - much quieter than Whitby
- Captain Cook Museum
- 199 Steps to Whitby Abbey (the end of the walk)
- Whitby Beach
- Whitby Pier
- Dracula Experience, find out more about Bram Stoker's character
- Crabbing in Whitby harbour
- Boat ride along the coast, see the abbey from a different perspective
- Pannett Park with Whitby Museum and Art Gallery
- Whitby Lifeboat Museum
- Fossil/jet hunting on the beach
- Whitby Jet Museum
- Take a Ghost Walk
- Eat fish and chips
- Combine your walk with a trip on the North Yorks Moors Railway
