History shows that once people visit Whitby, they are hooked. This charming traditional fishing port, on the North East Coast of England has an unrivalled ambience and aura that draw people back time and time again.The spectacular coastline and stunning heather clad North Yorkshire Moors that surround the town stimulate all the senses and are a welcome revitalising gift from the hectic schedules in our daily lives.
The magical, haunting atmosphere of Whitby has inspired authors and film crews alike as well as holidaymakers. Bram stoker penned Dracula around Whitby. TV and film crews choose Whitby for backdrops to dramas and epic Hollywood films. Heartbeat, Harry Potter, The Royal and Possession starring Bob Hoskins and Gwyneth Paltrow were filmed on the cobbles of Church Street and villages on the North Yorkshire Moors including beautiful Goathland. Simply Red’s Mick Hucknall filmed his video Holding Back The Years at Whitby Abbey. Quaint Whitby cottages, hidden down ginnels in Whitby, blend effortlessly with contemporary homes and trendy businesses. Whitby embraces change without compromising its natural beauty, that through Eco awareness we hope will sustain tourism and continue to provide the “magic” that lures all generations.
Whitby Places To Eat & Drink
Whitby has an abundance of places to eat and drink. Cafes, tea rooms, fine and award winning dining can be found throughout the town. A must of course is Whitby fish and chip restaurants that offer takeaway and inside dining. Rick Stein, in particular has visited the Magpie Café, Whitby www.magpiecafe.co.uk to savour and enthused about the town’s fresh local produce and the award winning environments in which they are provided from. Whitby also has its own ice cream manufacturers, Trillos and Beacon Farm, as well as Chinese, Indian, Italian and vegetarian for wide varied menus. A must is Fortunes Kippers found on Henrietta Street. Fortunes Kippers - www.fortuneskippers.co.uk
Whitby Activities
Whitby has plenty of things to do and see for everyone. Go cycling. Bikes can be hired at Trailways www.trailways.info. Grab your garlic and try a Whitby Ghost Walk www.whitbywalks.com
For the fitness fanatics go to Whitby Leisure Centre where there is a gym, swimming pool and physical activities galore Visit www.scarborough.gov.co.uk What about fossil hunting? www.whitbyfossils.co.uk Sea Trips can be boarded along pier road. Try www.whitbycoastalcruises.co.uk Sail on Endeavour replica www.endeavourwhitby.comVisit Captain Cook’s museum, along the quaint Grape Lane www.cookmuseumwhitby.co.uk and Whitby Jet Heritage Centre www.whitbyjet.co.uk A must is Whitby Abbey and the trek up the 199 steps. Whitby Whalebones are on West Cliff along with The Whitby Wizard science centre. Fun for all www.whitbywizard.com. Play Golf at Whitby Golf Club near Sandsend www.whitbygolfclub.co.uk or www.whitbysteambusandcharabanc.co.uk Tour villages such as Sandsend, Robin Hoods Bay, Egton, Aislaby, Levisham, Pickering, Hutton Le Hole. Browse around Whitby’s unique shops and the RNLI or simply relax on the beach and enjoy the beautiful beach and coastline of Whitby and Scarborough. Of course a definate must for Whitby activities is Whitby Folk Week where you can sing traditional sea shanties in traditional Whitby pubs and dance in Whitby streets with Morris Dancers. Whitby Regatta is great family fun on Whitby's West Cliff. See the awesome Red Arrows fly over Whitby coast performing their amazing air displays visit www.raf.mod.uk/reds. For exciting bespoke and unique activities such as canoeing, rock climbing, abseiling, kayaking, orienteering and more visit www.bluefrogwhitby.co.uk
Further Afield & Yorkshire Attractions
Having almost instant access to the A171 you can visit further afield easily. Scarborough is around 25 minutes drive. Then there’s the beautiful Dalby Forest, Cayton Bay, Filey, the popular Castle Howard www.castlehoward.co.uk and Flamingo Land www.flamingoland.co.uk The market towns of Pickering and Helmsley are great to mooch round. Harrogate, home of Betty’s Tea Rooms www.bettys.co.uk is around an hour and a half away, along with the minster city of York where you can shop till you drop. Maybe go to York races www.yorkracecourse.co.uk. The wartime Eden Camp is also worth a visit www.edencamp.co.uk along with Ryedale Folk Museum in the beautiful village of Hutton Le Hole. www.ryedalefolkmuseum.co.uk. Or just enjoy walking on Whitby beach on long stretches of soft sand or on the spectacular heather clad North Yorkshire Moors to blow away the cobwebs, de-stress and chill with family and friends. Yorkshire gardens are great for relaxing to. Try Yorkshire Lavender www.yorkshirelavender.co.uk, Newby Hall, www.newbyhall.com, or the exciting Forbidden Corner, www.theforbiddencorner.co.uk, 100 acres of gardens, tunnels, chambers, follies and more. Or you could simply laze on the beach. Take a look at Church Street below. This is Whitby by moonlight - magic.