Whitby
With its award-winning beach, fascinating history and quaint fishing harbour, Whitby is a must-see location on the beautiful Yorkshire coastline. By day, relax on one of Yorkshireâs finest beaches and soak up the traditional seaside atmosphere. By night, Whitby mainly offers cosy family pubs serving great food and traditional ales, although there are several cocktail bars and clubs tucked away for the night owls amongst its visitors.
No visit to Whitby would be complete without a visit to the breathtaking Whitby Abbey, recently crowned âBritainâs most romantic ruinsâ. Founded in 657 A.D. by the Saxon King of Northumbria, the Abbey has had a diverse history as a Kingâs burial ground, an ancient settlement and even the home of saints including the poet Caedmon. Most famously, the Abbeyâs haunting graveyard served as the inspiration behind Bram Stokerâs notorious Dracula creation. When youâve finished exploring the Abbey, itâs definitely worth a visit next door to the 12th century St Maryâs Church. The churchâs 199 steps lead down to the cobbled streets of Whitbyâs old town where you will find an array of cafes and restaurants to replenish your energy levels after all that sightseeing. After lunch, if youâre still curious about Whitbyâs Dracula history, visit the spine chilling Dracula Experience on the marine parade if you dare! Whitby also offers a whole host of organised events throughout the year including regular ghost walks, twice-yearly Goth weekends and even the UKâs biggest folk celebration â the legendary Whitby Folk Week. However if youâd prefer a more peaceful stay, simply take a stroll along the 110 mile long Cleveland Way National Trail. With its flawless scenery and tremendous views, youâll want to walk the whole stretch!
You canât talk about Whitby without mentioning the deservedly renowned Magpie Café. Trading on the quay for over 7 decades, the Magpie team have perfected the art of all things seafood; you mustnât leave Whitby without sampling a portion of their fish and chips, available to eat in or take away. If you become (like so many others) an avid Magpie fan, then you can even buy their recipe book from the café so you can take a piece of Whitby home with you to enjoy again and again. On either side of the River Esk Estuary, both the old town and the new quayside offer ample alternative choices of pubs, cafes and restaurants; as well as the obligatory seaside stalls selling fudge and rock or cockles and winkles.
Whitby offers a vast array of camping and caravan sites and a huge appeal for Whitbyâs visitors is that most of the accommodation lays just a short picturesque stroll away from Whitbyâs bustling centre; so you can leave the car, and the stress, behind from the minute you arrive! Whitby is located off the A171, north of Scarborough and south of Saltburn.
