Formerly a hub for fishing and mining, Staithes is now a tourist destination in the North York Moors National Park.

[5][6] Staithes has numerous narrow streets and passageways; one of these, Dog Loup, with a width of just 18 inches (46 cm), is claimed to be the narrowest alley in the world.

Whilst the usual postperson had no difficulty with the narrow streets and cottages, the relief postal staff were getting confused.

[8] The oldest and best-known part of the village is clustered around the sheltered harbour, bounded by high cliffs and two long breakwaters.

[9] The more modern upper village is located at the top of the hill, centred on the junction of the High Street and the A174 road.

[10] A mile to the west is Boulby Cliff where, for a brief period, alum was extracted from quarried shale and used as a mordant to improve the strength and permanency of colour when dying cloth.

In the early 1990s, a rare fossil of a seagoing dinosaur was discovered after a rockfall between Staithes and Port Mulgrave to the south.

[17] The permanent population of Staithes has decreased since the 1970s, due to the decline of the fishing and mining industries and an increase in second homes and holiday cottages.

Staithes Bonnets were traditionally worn by the women inhabitants of the village, with some older residents still wearing them daily in the 1990s.

The cotton bonnets were sewn by hand, and helped to protect the wearer's hair and face when carrying out fishing work.

It starts at The Fox and Hounds in the nearby village of Dalehouse then goes to Staithes Athletic Club, The Captain Cook Inn, The Black Lion (now closed) The Royal George before finishing at The Cod and Lobster on the harbour front.

The museum was set up by Reginald Firth in 1993 and houses a collection relating to the history of Staithes and Captain James Cook who lived in the village as a teenager.

Staithes and Runswick RNLI Lifeboat Weekend takes place in August each year and features a nightgown parade.

[27] Local news and television programmes are provided by BBC North East and Cumbria and ITV Tyne Tees.

[35] The group mainly painted en plein air in oils and water colours and were inspired by the French impressionists.