Guide

Where to point the camera

Sunrise at the abbey, heather at Blakey Ridge, steam in the gorge: the classic shots and when to take them.

Where to point the camera
Photo: oatsy40 from London, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Dawn

Whitby Abbey from the West Cliff or the harbour with the sun behind it. Saltwick Bay with the Admiral von Tromp wreck. Roseberry Topping from the Newton-under-Roseberry road with mist in the vale.

Heather season

Blakey Ridge and Rosedale in the second half of August, especially the view from Rosedale Chimney Bank top and from the ironstone railway. The Hole of Horcum from the Saltergate viewpoint. Bridestones for rocks and purple together.

Steam

Goathland station from the footbridge, the curve at Darnholm, the gorge at Water Ark and Beck Hole, and the line below Skelton Tower where you can shoot a train from above.

Coast

Staithes from Cowbar Nab, Robin Hood's Bay from the cliff path to the south, Runswick Bay from the beach at the north end, Whitby's piers in a storm.

Night

Sutton Bank, Dalby Forest and the road across Fylingdales Moor for the Milky Way; Whitby Abbey during the autumn illuminations.

  • Sunset light is best from the western escarpment; sunrise from the coast
  • A telephoto lens compresses the steam railway curves nicely

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