Whitby Has It All
When it comes to fun, Whitby is a natural. This lovely seafront community is brimming with possibilities for a good time, many of which involve the native landscape. It’s a town with a perfect blend of outdoor activities and cultural pit stops, and is a great choice for a relaxing holiday destination that’s never boring. You won’t regret a stay in one of the local guest houses or hotels, and perhaps you’ll even look for reasons to extend your visit. So put on your sailor’s cap and evoke the spirit of explorer Captain James Cooke, a former resident, and set sail for Whitby.
Pack the Foot Cream, You’ll Need It
The best way to get to know Whitby is to dive right in. And there’s no better way to do it than to don your walking shoes and hit the 199 Steps. Your feet might be sore, but you will be rewarded with a breath-taking view and access to Whitby Abbey at the top of the East Cliff. The ruins of the 13th century gothic abbey are a pleasure to discover, and there is a visitor centre that tells the fascinating history of this special spot. If you aren’t tired of walking, a self-guided tour of Whitby is possible in a few hours. Points of interest include the Swing Bridge, Whalebone Arch, and maybe even a pint at the Middle Earth Tavern, a former residence and fishermen’s warehouse dating back to the 1700s. You’ll also have to leave some time to soak up the picturesque Whitby Harbour. Befriend the seagulls, watch the boats go by, and make it a true maritime experience with a visit to the West Pier Lighthouse. But you’ve been warned - it’s another 89 steps to the top. If even the thought of more walking makes you want to sit down, options that your feet will love you for are the Old Lifeboat and Whitby Steam Bus. Each delivers a unique and informative excursion that tourists enthusiastically recommend.
It’s Going to be a Great Day in Whitby
Another fun way to spend your time in Whitby is to plan a day that involves a swim in the sea and a tour of a museum. Avoid the summer crowds with an early morning trip to one of the area’s excellent beaches, and wrap up your day learning something new. You could essentially visit a different beach on every day of your vacation, with Whitby Sands Beach, Saltwick Bay Beach and Sandsend Beach as great options to do some frolicking in the tide. Tate Hill is a smaller, sheltered beach on the east side of town, and West Cliff is a larger, dog-friendly option that has beach chairs, a children’s pool and donkey rides. When it’s time to head indoors, the Captain Cooke Memorial Museum and Whitby Museum are not to be missed. Another must-see is the Whitby Lifeboat Museum, which has an abundance of photographs, paintings and mementos from famous shipwrecks and rescues, and could be a fitting end to your day by the sea.
Something Out of the Ordinary
If you’re willing to think outside the box, Whitby has a lot to offer. From the macabre to the quirky, it’s only fitting that the birthplace of Bram Stoker’s Dracula will introduce you to a whole other side of this pretty seaside town. It might get downright creepy when you read the novel and see the many references that fuelled Stoker’s imagination which are still around today. From St. Mary’s Church to the 199 steps, Dracula lovers won’t be able to resist sinking their teeth into the inspiration for Stoker’s work. Take it a step further with a spooky tour given by the Dracula Society Walk, or sit in the Bram Stoker Memorial Seat for the very view that the author wrote about. If vampires don’t do it for you, you can always step back into Victorian times with a visit to the fantastical Museum of Victorian Science. This is a science lover’s dream come true, but you won’t be able to completely shake the feeling that something is lurking around the corner after a virtual tour of Dr Frankenstein’s laboratory. From the world’s most famous vampire to a monster depicted in countless books and movies, Whitby has it all. To cap off your decidedly different day, head over to Victorian Image for a traditional Victorian portrait. Now that’s not your average day!
Pamper Yourself in Whitby
Whitby has a long list of hotels to choose from, but why not spoil yourself at one of the historic hotels that royalty once called home? Raithwaite Estate is the ultimate in luxury, and guests can take their pick of one of 45 rooms in The Hall, an exclusive hideaway in The Keep, or a stay in a decked-out cottage for a private experience. The 100-year-old gardens and seaside location will make it hard to leave. For something more intimate, Larpool Hall is a Georgian mansion that has 29 posh bedrooms on 14 acres, and while less opulent, Dunsley Hall is a country house hotel that would be a welcome retreat after a busy day in Whitby. Late hotel deals can sometimes be found, but accommodation books up fast in the summer months. So what are you waiting for? Whitby is waiting for you!