Things to Do in Staithes: Visit Staithes Museum

Staithes has a rich and fascinating history. Once one of the busiest fishing ports on the North East coast, the village has also inspired artists, explorers, and storytellers for generations.

Inside the museum, you can explore:

• The history of Staithes fishing families

• Traditional fishing equipment and maritime objects

• Historic photographs of the village

• Everyday life in Staithes through the centuries

• Stories and memories from local people

It’s a wonderful way to understand the village beyond the postcard views.

Staithes Museum is designed to be welcoming and engaging for everyone.

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Children enjoy spotting unusual objects and exploring village stories, while adults often find themselves reminiscing, asking questions, and uncovering connections to local history.

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Have a go at a museum quiz or activity... there's a free prize at the end if you can find all the answers!

Staithes is beautiful in all weather—but when the rain arrives, the museum offers a warm, dry, and fascinating place to spend time.

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Instead of hiding from the weather, you can step into the stories of the village and discover something new.

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And in winter, we're the best place to pick up a souvenir, when a lot of local shops are closed for the season. 

Want to explore the museum in more depth?

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Our audio guide helps bring the collection to life with extra stories, background information, and fascinating details about objects and village history. It’s a great way to discover more at your own pace and learn about Staithes directly through the museum’s collections and stories.

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Whether you prefer to wander independently or dive deeper into local history, the audio guide adds another layer to your visit.

Need a chance to sit down after walking the steep streets and hills of Staithes?

At the museum, you can relax and watch Bill Hinchley’s filmed walking tour of the village on our large screen. Bill shares stories, history, and hidden details about Staithes that many visitors would otherwise miss.

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It’s a favourite with visitors—and a great way to explore the village at your own pace.

Visitors often comment on the warm welcome they receive at Staithes Museum.

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Our museum is run with the help of dedicated volunteers who care deeply about the history of the village and enjoy sharing it with visitors from around the world.

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We’re always happy to answer questions, recommend places to explore, or help you make the most of your time in Staithes.

Many visitors discover surprising connections to Staithes through family history research.

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The museum holds a growing collection of photographs, oral histories, documents, and local knowledge that can help people learn more about relatives connected to the village. Whether your family lived here for generations or simply passed through, you may uncover stories you never knew existed.

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We’re always delighted when visitors share their own family memories and photographs too.

The museum is also the starting point for several ways to explore Staithes further. During your visit, you can pick up:

• The Staithes Illusions Trail

• Information about the Staithes Geocache

• A map of the village

• Lots of other leaflets with local museums, events and news,

These are perfect for families, walkers, and curious explorers wanting to discover hidden corners of Staithes.

Alongside the museum, you’ll also find craft shops featuring work by local artists and makers.

It’s a lovely opportunity to support local creativity and find unique gifts inspired by Staithes and the Yorkshire coast.

One of the most popular parts of the museum is our interactive touchscreen archive, packed with historic photographs of Staithes and the surrounding area.

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Visitors can browse images of:

• Fishing families

• The harbour through the years

• School groups and village events

• Streets and buildings that have changed over time

• Faces and stories from Staithes’ past

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It’s easy to lose track of time while exploring the collection—and many visitors find themselves spotting familiar places, houses, or even relatives.