Once one of the most important fishing ports in the North East of England, Staithes may only be a small village, but it's got a whole lot of history. It was here that Captain James Cook first developed his passion for the sea: the British explorer and navigator, now famous for his three voyages in the Pacific, worked in the village as a grocer's apprentice at the age of 16. It was also here that Laura Knight and the Staithes Impressionists lived, creating beautiful works of art inspired by the landscapes of the North Yorkshire coast.
Today, Staithes is as picturesque as ever. Higgledy-piggledy cottages huddle on the hillside, and narrow cobbled streets wind between them. High cliffs rise up on either side, giving dramatic views along the rugged shoreline - the UK's own Dinosaur Coast, named for the many fossils that are found here every year.
This design shows Staithes at full-tide on a warm summer's day. Seagulls dart over the sea and brightly-coloured Whitby Cobles bob in the sheltered harbour - these traditional flat-bottomed fishing boats originated on the North East coast of England, perfect for navigating the dangerous North Sea. Anyone who's visited Staithes is bound to fall in love with this tea towel!
