Whitby is a busy seaside town with a depth of history and plenty to suit all tastes and all weathers. From a beach day, fossil hunting, fishing (or crabbing), exploring the history with a museum or three, or just exploring the charming old streets and shops of the east side. It also hosts some unique events like Goth Weekend that can take over the whole town twice a year.
Other popular events are the Whitby Pirate Festival, Steampunk Weekends, Folk (music) weekends and Whitby Regatta.
The old town is charming, with a bridge that opens to let boats through, a harbour, an arch made with a whale’s jaw bones and various Captain Cook bits to explore including the Captain Cook Memorial Museum (Sailed to Australia and Hawaii in the 1700’s).
Bram Stoker’s Dracula story begins in Whitby, and features the 199 steps, the ruined Abbey, the graveyard of St Mary’s Church and Tate Hill Beach. If you’re looking for the legendary vampire you’re most likely to spot him at the Dracula Experience.
Family Highlights
Mix some beach time and a dip in the often bracing North Sea with an amble around town and some fish and chips.
Fossils and Whitby Jet can be found on the rocky beach to the East of the East Pier (Low tide only) and a sandy beach is to the West of the West Pier. This sandy beach is also good for surfing when the conditions are right.
The playpark at Pannett Park (next to the museum) offers a place to let the children run off some energy before other activities or a drive home.
Climb (and try to correctly count) the 199 steps up to Whitby Abbey.
Take a boat trip out to sea on a miniature version of Captain Cook’s Endeavour or one of the other boat trips available from the harbour, including a pirate themed one.
Fishing off the piers or catching crabs with a simple handline and some bait (available from local shops).
Take a full town bus tour on the open top bus.
Vegetarians Please Note: Most fish and chip shops fry in beef dripping. For vegetable oil options try the Fish Box or request vegetable oil at Mister Chips.
Rainy Day Highlights
Wonder through the independent shops on the East side, along cobbled Church street, Grape Lane and Sandgate. Sheltering from the rain whilst browsing something different from the usual highstreet offerings.
The Little Fox Bookshop is a truly magical children’s bookshop that could take a while to leave. Freshly made coffee is available for the waiting adults.
Whitby Lobster Hatchery is a small but interesting aquarium that supports local conservation. Allowing people to get up close with some creatures found in the North Sea.
Whitby Museum has an extensive collection of impressive fossils to put your own finds to shame, including some fossilised remains of massive marine reptiles. The hand of glory is another perhaps rather morbid curiosity.
Practical Info for Families
Parking: Various pay-and-display carparks around the town. At busy times the Park and Ride can save time searching for a parking space. All day free parking is available but often requires a long walk. Parking disc required for road side short stay free parking.
Whitby Park and Ride Directions
West Cliff Car Park Directions
Abbey Headland Parking Directions
Marina Front Car Park Directions
Marina Back Car Park Directions
Dogs: Dogs are banned from Whitby Beach and Sandsend beach from May to September but are allowed on Tate Hill sands, and the beach much further up between Whitby and Sandsend. Signs are in place.
Tide times for Whitby:
Tides explained very simply:
It takes 6 hours for the tide to come all the way in.
30 minutes standing water as it changes direction
6 hours for the tide to go all the way out.
30 minutes standing water.
So each day the tide times will be roughly 1 hour later than the day before.