Whitby
Whitby is a seaside town in Yorkshire, northern England, split by the River Esk. On the East Cliff, overlooking the North Sea, the ruined Gothic Whitby Abbey was Bram Stoker’s inspiration for “Dracula”. Nearby is the Church of St. Mary, reached by 199 steps. The Captain Cook Memorial Museum, in the house where Cook once lived, displays paintings and maps. West of town is West Cliff Beach, lined with beach huts. (Artist – John Freeman, 9 Market Place, Whitby).
It takes 75 minutes to drive from Cockerdale to Whitby across the stunning North York Moors turned pink and purple by the blooming heather from August to October.
Park either down by the keyside or up on the cliff by Whitby Abbey. One way of experiencing Whitby is to walk west along the beach to Sands End and have a drink in the dog friendly Hart Inn and then retrace your steps for fish and chips in the town. Our favourite restaurant is The Magpie on the seafront for its food and atmosphere.
Things to do in Whitby
- Go to the beach! There is nothing like the smell of salty sea air and the sound of the waves crashing into shore. Whitby has two excellent beaches, West Cliff Beach and Tate Hill Beach. West Cliff beach is a blue flag beach which is long and sandy, and during the summer offers donkey rides for the children. Tate Hill Beach is a small and secluded beach with lovely soft sand.
- Try some Whitby fish and chips. There are so many excellent fish and chip restaurants and takeaways to choose from, serving freshly caught fish. You simply have to try them!
- Visit the whalebone arch on West Cliff. Look through the two jaw bones at the Abbey and Church which top the opposite cliff.
- Climb (and count) the 199 steps up to Whitby Abbey and explore the beautiful ruins. Just as impressive as the Abbey’s striking structure are the beautiful views out to sea and over Whitby Town.
5. Visit the Church of St Mary. Situated next to the Abbey, the Church of St Mary bears some interesting features, and during the summer months, as the setting sun’s rays reflect in the two windows to the left of the clock tower, the Church appears to have two red eyes. Author, Bram Stoker, observed the eyes first hand and mentioned them in his novel, Dracula.
6. Visit the Church of St Mary. Situated next to the Abbey, the Church of St Mary bears some interesting features, and during the summer months, as the setting sun’s rays reflect in the two windows to the left of the clock tower, the Church appears to have two red eyes. Author, Bram Stoker, observed the eyes first hand and mentioned them in his novel, Dracula.
7.Walk to the end of West Pier. From here you can look back towards Whitby as if you are a homecoming soldier. If safe, continue to the end of West Pier’s extension for an even more convincing homecoming.
8.Learn about Captain Cook and his connections to Whitby by visiting the Captain Cook Memorial Museum. During his apprenticeship Cook lodged in the attic of this very building when he was not at sea.
9. Walk around the harbour and see the day’s catches. From trawlers to children with fishing lines, there is always something to see!
10. Explore the narrow streets and browse the many artists’ studios and jet jewellery shops. You’ll get a feel for how creative this unusual little town really is.
