Whitby is a famous historic fishing port, the harbour being one of the most widely photographed and the fish and chips being the most talked about - surely the best in the country! You may have heard of Whitby jet? a natural organic gemstone formed from the compressed wood of the Monkey Puzzle tree. There are Jet jewellers aplenty here in Whitby as it is only found along a two mile stretch of coastline between Robin Hood's Bay and Boulby, very close to the town.
The whole area is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, walkers and cyclists alike. There are miles and miles of footpaths and cycle paths just itching to be explored across the beautiful North Yorkshire Moors.
The haunting Whitby Abbey which inspired Bram Stoker to write “Dracula”, dominates the skyline and can be seen high up on the hill as you approach by road or rail.
The town has numerous events and festivals which attract visitors all year round spanning several genres of music, the most famous being the Goth weekends which take place twice yearly. Besides that though, Whitby hosts a Folk Week and weekends full of Motown, Northern Soul, Rock & Roll, 60’s, 70’s, Line Dancing and much more. There really is something for everyone.
Crescent Lodge Guest House is a very short walk from the green space of Pannet Park which boasts a local history museum plus an elegant sunken pond and themed gardens. It also has a large play area for children.
In addition to the above select few of the towns attractions, Whitby neighbours many other fabulous attractions.
Robin Hood’s Bay which was once a major smuggling haven on the Yorkshire coast, has been transformed into a small tourist town which is a short drive from Whitby. Park at the top of the bay and walk down the winding path, through the forest of gift shops and cafe’s until you come to the beach at the bottom. There is plenty of history in this small village, you can imagine the smugglers hiding in the small cobbled streets. It’s certainly worth a visit.
Staithes is a beautiful little fishing village situated along the coast just North of Whitby. Staithes feels like a village that has been frozen in time. It has some connections with Captain Cook. Captain Cook of course, sailed HMS Endeavour during his scientific expedition of 1768, an authentic replica of which dominates Whitby harbour. The beach is popular at low tide and keep an eye out for seals, they regularly frequent the harbour looking for fish from the local fishermen.
Goathland was used for several decades as the location for the television show Heartbeat, it attracts hoards of visitors each year who are eager to recapture some of the historic scenes . The train station in the area is also linked with the Harry Potter films and the NYMR steam trains pass through it. Stand on the railway bridge and enjoy these steam trains passing beneath you.
Eden Camp has become known as one of the biggest museums in the United Kingdom to be dedicated to military history. The exhibits cover a large timeline of events, from around 1914 onwards. Eden Camps holds several special event days throughout the year.