The King Charles III England Coast Path, the longest continual coastal trail on the planet, officially opens this spring, so it's a great time to experience the 26-mile stretch in the North York Moors National Park. Here are a few suggestions of places to visit along the way:
* Saltburn for the only pier in Yorkshire, an historic cliff lift, independent shops and cafes in the ‘jewel’ streets.
* Skinningrove for a wilder stretch of beach at Cattersty Sands and the Land Of Iron telling the story of the coast’s ironstone mining.
* Boulby to stand on one of England’s highest sea cliffs, 660 feet above sea level.
* Staithes for its fishing and art heritage, narrow ginnels including Dog Loup, Britain’s narrowest at just 18 inches wide, and small harbour tucked between the protective arms of the towering headlands, Cowbar Nab and Penny Nab.
* Runswick Bay perched on the cliff side with a perfect sandy cove leading to the far headland where there are small caves called Hob Holes (folklore suggests these were home to hobgoblins).
* Sandsend to relax and re-create nostalgic childhood seaside days, with a beach dissected by a small stream leading to a few cafes and pubs.
* Whitby for its gothic stories, quirky shops, boat trips, and Whitby Jet jewellery
* Saltwick Bay to see the Admiral von Tromp shipwreck at low tide.
* Robin Hood’s Bay to imagine what centuries-old secrets the buildings and houses cling onto; fossil-hunting; and searching out the UK’s smallest listed structure, a cast iron cod that serves as a donation point for the RNLI.
* Boggle Hole for its seclusion and rockpooling
* Ravenscar to learn about the alum industry at the well preserved Peak Alum Works; and why the village is called: “The town that never was”
* Hayburn Wyke for the walk through ancient woodland to reach the waterfall on the beach.
Words: Amanda Brown. Image: Ceri Oakes Photography /NYMNPA