International Day for Monuments and Sites

Today we are celebrating International Day for Monuments and Sites also known as World Heritage Day. With so much history and intriguing places to visit on the Yorkshire coast, we thought we’d share a list of places that might peak your interest!

Monuments

Now you may have seen some of our historic monuments in images across our website or perhaps social media, but the question is, do you know what they represent? Time to take a little walk through history and discover the story behind the statue...

Situated in People’s Park on West Cliff you’ll find the famous Captain Cook Memorial Monument. With its location offering one of the best viewing points of the whole town; it is definitely worth a visit during your trip. The 7ft 6inch bronze statue commemorates the men who built the four ships that Captain Cook used on his voyages. To find out more about Captain Cook and his legendary expeditions check out the Captain Cook Memorial Museum.

Also on West Cliff is Whitby’s Whale Bone Arch. The original arch was erected after 1853 and is now in the Whitby Archives and Heritage Centre. A replica was presented to Whitby by Norway in 1963, while the current replacement was donated by Alaska in April 2003. The arch itself also creates the perfect picture framing the iconic Whitby Abbey and St Mary’s Church. 

If you’ve visited Scarborough before, you may have noticed a rather large man perched on a rather large bench looking out to sea - Freddie Gilroy. You’ll find this impressive statue at the northern end of Marine Drive. The statue of Freddie is based on a former miner who was one of the first allied soldiers to enter Belsen concentration camp on its liberation in World War II.

Located at Scarborough’s Oliver’s Mount you’ll find the impressive 75½ foot War Memorial. The memorial names 241 individuals who died in World War II, the 53 civilians of Scarborough who were killed in World War I, the 42 civilians who died in World War II and 70 who died in the Korean War. The monument towers over Scarborough’s South Cliff and offers a viewing point of Scarborough Castle and South Bay.

Enjoy a walk along Filey's beach and say a quick hello to this thoughtful looking chap. This sculpture of a fisherman by Ray Lonsdale is named "High Tide and Short Wellies" and looks over the crazy golf course and out to sea from Filey beach.

Heritage Sites

Now we’ve had a tour of some of the monuments you can find during your visit to the Yorkshire coast, let’s take a look at some of our heritage sites around the area.

Castle Howard is one of Britain’s finest historic houses, situated just outside Malton in the Howardian Hills Built over 300 years ago by Sir John Vanbrugh, today it remains home to the Howard family. The estate offers a great day out for all ages whether you want to take a tour of the beautiful house, wander the acres of stunning parkland and gardens, or take in an event.

All aboard! If you love trains  The North Yorkshire Moors Railway is a must-do experience while visiting the Yorkshire coast. Take a ride onboard one of the railway's classic steam or heritage diesel trains and experience 24 miles of Yorkshire’s amazing scenery, departing from Whitby and travelling across the stunning North York Moors to Pickering, passing through gorgeous villages along the way.

Pickering Castle is a classic 13th century motte-and-bailey castle once used as a royal hunting lodge and holiday harm by a succession of kings. The grassy mount and the curtain walls punctuated by tall towers are the most prominent features of this royal fortress. The mound was raised by William the Conqueror, and the stonework added for Henry III as a necessary defence against the Scots. 

Whitby Abbey is arguably one of the Yorkshire coast’s most well-known historic sites, attracting thousands of visitors year after year to admire its stunning architecture. With its famous connection to  Bram Stoker’s Dracula and gothic appearance, it's easy to see why these intriguing ruins attract so much attention. The abbey was also once named Britain’s most romantic ruin with its cliff-top location offering stunning views of the seaside town.

Perched on a dramatic headland overlooking the North Sea, Scarborough Castle is a historic gem. This medieval fortress, with origins dating back to the 12th century, has witnessed centuries of conflict and change. Explore the castle’s majestic ruins, including the impressive Great Tower and the remnants of a Roman signal station. The site offers stunning panoramic views, making it a perfect spot for history enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.