Whitby & Area

Pretty fishing villages, dominate cliffs and beautiful beaches...

Sandsend

St Hilda's Abbey

Staithes

Whitby

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Situated along one of Britain’s finest stretches of coastline, with cliffs, lovely bays, safe sandy beaches and attractive villages, Whitby has been a port for more than 1,000 years and is still a seafarers' town today.

The narrow streets and alleys climbing down to the quayside still bustle as they have done for centuries and as folklore and tradition are very much part of the Whitby scene, visitors soon find themselves involved. From these centuries-old streets, 199 steps lead up to the parish church of St Mary, whose churchyard inspired Bram Stoker to write his world-famous novel, Dracula.

As well as attracting many famous visitors, Whitby has produced its own famous sons, not least Captain James Cook, and also the outstanding father and son whaling masters of the Scoresby family.

Performing arts, dance, music and carnivals are just a sample of what’s in store at the Whitby Folk Festival and Regatta, while the Captain Cook Festival celebrates the town’s proud seafaring tradition.

Whilst Whitby has a huge draw, one mustn’t forget the other attractive villages within a stones throw of Whitby. Staithes is a beautiful old fishing village tucked away between two headlands. Runswick Bay is another pretty village which clings to the cliffs at the end of a long sandy beach, and, just 6 miles south of Whitby, Robin Hood’s Bay sweeps round in a huge crescent and the village itself is one of the most picturesque fishing villages in England.

There is much to see and do in Whitby and its immediate surrounds. Just a few options are, Whitby Abbey, Whitby Museum, Captain Cook, Memorial Museum, Museum of Victorian Whitby, St Marys Church, Bram Stoker Dracula Experience and Whitby Lifeboat Museum

Things to do in Whitby & Area

Robin Hoods Bay

When visiting Whitby and the surrounding area Robin Hood’s Bay, one of the most charming and popular villages in the North York Moors National Park should be one of the first places you visit.

Read more about Robin Hoods Bay

Captain Cook Memorial Museum

Situated in the house by the harbour side where James Cook came to serve his apprenticeship in 1746. With period rooms as Cook knew them, original paintings, manuscripts, models and artefacts from his voyages.

Read more about Captain Cook Memorial Museum (External)

North York Moors Steam Railway

One of the country's most popular steam railways, covering 18 miles between the market town of Pickering and the village of Grosmont, travelling through the heart of the North York Moors National Park, calling at picturesque villages along the way.

Read more about North York Moors Steam Railway (External)

North Yorkshire Off Road Centre

The idyllic setting of Robin Hood's Bay provides the perfect backdrop for a day that you'll never forget. The centre has its own private hillside and quarry site which has a super selection of terrain providing courses which are perfect for beginners and excellent for the experienced and daring 4x4 drivers.