Great Escapes Holiday Lets Guides: Whitby

If you’re looking for a short break on the Yorkshire Coast, look no further than the idyllic Whitby. Situated on the East Coast of Yorkshire in a deep valley at the mouth of the River Esk, Whitby has everything a typical seaside resort has to offer, plus a whole lot more.

Leisure & Scenery

Whoever you choose to visit Whitby with, there’s plenty to do for the whole family. Take a romantic stroll along the promenade exploring the many local shops, restaurants and bars, or take a bucket and spade down to the beach for a fun filled day in the sun. Work up an appetite walking the historic pier and visiting the lighthouse for spectacular views of the North Sea, then call into one of the many local fish bars to experience the delicious seafood dishes that make this town so well-known far and wide.

If you’re lucky during your stay, you may get to witness the old swing bridge lifting to let higher vessels enter the dock. But if not, be sure to cross to the other side yourself and visit famous fish and chip shops, pubs and local boutiques. Visit on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday to experience the Whitby Open Market where you’ll find small, independent ran stalls offering a range of jewellery, clothing and antiques.

Food & Drink

A trip to Whitby isn’t complete without a visit to the famous Magpie Cafe. Look out for the distinctive Black & White building where you’ll be able to take in the stunning seaside views whilst sampling an array of delicious meals, including the best fish and chips in the town!

Make a pit-stop at one of the many locally-ran (and most dog friendly) coffee shops, pubs and restaurants for a drink or bite to eat. Venture along the cobbles down winding alleyways to find some of the best hidden gems Whitby has to offer.

Whitby Jet

Throughout the streets and alleys of Whitby you’ll find shop windows laced with gorgeous black jewellery known as ‘Whitby Jet’. If you’re not familiar with it, Whitby Jet is a gemstone made from decaying wood under extreme pressure. This 182 million year old coal type substance washes up on Whitby’s beaches and is made into stunning jewellery pieces to treasure forever.

199 Steps and Whitby Abbey

Jump head first into the town’s historic background by climbing Whitby’s famous 199 steps. Also known as The Church Stairs and Jacob’s ladder, this is no ordinary staircase. The steps date as far back as 1370, and up until the 1770’s were made of wood! Once you’ve broke a sweat and reached the top, you’ll find the stunning Whitby Abbey.

The Abbey has been inspiring visitors for more than 1500 years, welcoming tourists from all walks of life – all over the world. Uncover centuries of history and follow in the footsteps of writers, artists and religious leaders to explore the incredible gothic ruins and take in the stunning sea-views from above.

Fully immerse yourself in all that the Abbey has to offer including visitor centre, museum, gothic ruins and family events that run throughout the entire year.

Spooky Tales

Thanks to Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel, Whitby and Dracula have an infinite connection that you can experience yourself during your visit. Stoker and Dracula’s presence can be found throughout the town at every turn. Wander through the grounds of St. Mary’s Church next to Whitby Abbey where you’ll find the inspiration behind Dracula’s victims in grave-form, or watch the novel’s famous scenes come to life at ‘The Dracula Experience’.

There’s an array of spooky (and non-spooky) walks on offer in and around Whitby where you can truly get a feel for the gothic history of this lively seaside town. Take part in the Whitby Ghost or Dracula Walk hosted by the Whitby Storyteller; or if ghouls aren’t quite your thing, try out a Nature or Adventure walk instead.

Things To Do Nearby

Of course, there’s more to offer than just seaside. Visit the beautiful North York Moors National Park during your Whitby holiday to experience the idyllic countryside and it’s abbeys, museums, food and arts.

If you’re visiting with the family, stop off at one of the many visitor centres, visit the North York Railway Museum or take a day trip to one of the local theme parks including Flamingo Land and Lightwater Valley.

If walking and sight-seeing is your thing, visit the stunning Dalby Forest, walk Roseberry Topping or walk to 109m long Cleveland Way trail. Book an exhibition at the beautiful Nunnington Hall, explore the ruins of Rievaulx Abbey or learn about the voyages of James Cook at the Captain Cook Memorial Museum.

Staying In Whitby

Wherever you choose to stay in Whitby, Great Escapes Holiday Lets has an extensive range of accommodation to choose from.

With excellent connections to other local towns and coastal villages including Middlesbrough, Guisborough, Skinningrove and Marske, Whitby is the perfect base location for your Yorkshire Coast holiday.

P.S. – If you’re visiting at night, don’t forget to bring your garlic!