Visit Whitby

Beach worshippers, history buffs and legions of goths converge on Whitby, a charming yet delightfully eccentric harbour town. Characterised by its red-roofed stone cottages and twisting cobbled lanes, Whitby is picture-postcard pretty. Here you’ll discover lovely beaches with donkeys and deckchairs, quirky shops and possibly the best fish and chips you’ll ever taste.

Looming above it all stands atmospheric Whitby Abbey. Climb the 199 steps for breathtaking panoramas and to see the evocative ruins up-close; they helped inspire Bram Stoker’s Dracula! Neighbouring St Mary’s Church is worth an in-depth visit too, with its fascinating gravestones and peculiar features.

You’ll find more curiosities at the Whitby Museum, including gigantic fossilised creatures. While the Captain Cook Memorial Museum is your chance to learn about the famous pioneer. If that leaves you feeling inspired, embark on a voyage yourself, either on a harbour cruise or by hopping on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway steam train.