Whitby, a picturesque coastal town nestled on the North Yorkshire coast, is a treasure trove of history, stunning landscapes, and unique experiences. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a food lover, an outdoor adventurer, or someone seeking cultural events, Whitby has something to captivate every visitor. It is a must-see destination which should feature in every visitor to Yorkshire’s itinerary. In this article, I will describe the best things to do in Whitby.
In this article
Historical Landmarks in Whitby
No visit to Whitby would be complete without exploring its rich historical landmarks. Here are a few must-see attractions.
Whitby Abbey
Immerse yourself in the haunting beauty of the ruins that inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Read my complete guide to visiting the abbey here.
Captain Cook Memorial Museum
Delve into the life and voyages of the famous explorer Captain James Cook, whose maritime adventures began in Whitby. Click here for my full article on Captain Cook in Whitby.
Whitby Museum
One of the best things to do in Whitby is to discover the town’s fascinating history through the collection of artefacts, fossils, and exhibits spanning centuries displayed in the museum. Read my separate post about Whitby Museum and Art Gallery, both located in Pannett Park.
St Mary’s Church
St Mary’s Parish Church stands on a headland overlooking the town, just next to Whitby Abbey. It has many unique features including 17th and 18th-century box pews and galleries and a three-decker pulpit which was built in 1748. It is well worth a visit, perhaps by climbing the 199 steps described below.
Climb the 199 Steps
Climbing the famous 199 Steps, also known as the Church Stairs, from the Old Town up to St. Mary’s Church is one of the best things to do in Whitby.
It is not known when the steps were originally constructed, but the first written record of them dates from 1340. Some historians believe that St Hilda, founding abbess of the monastery at Whitby, would use the steps as a test to confirm the faith of her followers. This would have happened as early as 657 AD.
The steps were originally made of wood and stood for hundreds of years that way until 1774 when they were replaced with Sneaton Stone.
Despite their name, there is a lot of dispute over how many steps there really are. Some say there are 198 because you shouldn’t count the final step to the top. Others believe 200 because of the step from the bottom onto Church Street. In 1761, John Wesley counted 191. In 1800, Whitby guidebooks gave the number of steps as 194! Today, every 10th step, and the last, are now numbered with Roman numerals so you don’t have to count them any more!
There are benches on the 199 steps where you can catch your breath and take in the wonderful Whitby views. Originally, these benches were resting places for coffin bearers carrying the deceased up to St Mary’s from the town below.
Or try the Donkey Road (Donkey Track)
There is an extremely steep, cobbled donkey road that parallels the more famous 199 steps. If you’re wearing good shoes, you can walk down the donkey track. It is Grade 1 listed and, for some, a far more special experience than the steps. Plus, almost no one uses it!
Whitby Food and Drink
Fish and Chips
When it comes to culinary delights, Whitby is renowned for one thing above all else – its fish and chips. Indulge in a piping hot serving of this British classic from one of the many award-winning fish and chip shops scattered throughout the town. Savour the crispy batter and succulent fish. Sprinkle them with salt and vinegar for the ultimate seaside experience. A word of warning, though, don’t eat your fish and chips outdoors. You will surely be a target for some of Whitby’s voracious seagulls!
Instead, venture inside to enjoy your meal. Undoubtedly, the most famous fish and chip shop in Whitby is the Magpie Café. It has featured in many food and travel shows on UK TV and has been endorsed by the likes of chef James Martin and singer Jane McDonald. It is certainly popular. The restaurant doesn’t take bookings, so invariably, come rain or shine, there is a queue for a table which goes down the steps onto the pavement and, often, stretches a hundred metres or so along the street. For me, I would say, ‘Don’t bother’! There are so many other fish and chip restaurants in Whitby, most of them as good as, if not better than, the Magpie!
Our personal favourites are Trenchers on New Quay Road and The Fisherman’s Wife on Khyber Pass. The food and service in both establishments are superb. As well as offering the best fish and chips, Trenchers also has beautiful décor, spacious tables, and a delicious homemade sherry trifle (made with Harvey’s Bristol Cream😊) on the dessert menu. There is a blackboard telling customers which boat brought in the day’s catch, and which local farm supplied the potatoes and what variety they are. The Fisherman’s Wife has great sea views and a daily specials board full of tempting fish and seafood dishes. On our last visit, Mark was in raptures over his halibut served on a prawn risotto! There are no photos as we were too taken by the moment😊!!
Whitby Fatties
Located in Market Place in the old town, ‘Sandgate Coffee’ is the home of ‘Whitby Fatties’, delicious large scones available in fruit or cheese varieties. They are definitely worth a try!
Fortune’s Kippers
Fortune’s is Whitby’s only remaining traditional smokehouse. It was founded in 1872 by William Fortune and is still trading on the same premises in Henrietta Street over 150 years later. It is currently staffed by the sixth generation of the family.
Fortune’s is world famous for its kippers, which you can only buy from the small shop on the premises. Many celebrity chefs have visited the shop including James Martin, Mary Berry, Rick Stein, the Hairy Bikers, and The Two Fat Ladies. If you want to try some for yourself (and they are amazing!), please be aware that the business only takes cash. A brace of kippers will cost you around £5 and will come wrapped in newspaper. While visiting the shop, take a moment to peek into the smokehouse itself, where you may be lucky to see the smoking process in action. If kippers are not your thing, Fortune’s also do their own smoked bacon. They do this on a Wednesday and usually sell out by the end of the week.
Humble Pie and Mash
This article isn’t meant to be a guide to the best eating places in Whitby, but I have to mention this establishment! This quirky little restaurant has few tables and a limited menu, but the real fire and the vintage music playing in the background give the place a great atmosphere. The menu is simply a range of homemade pies (Mark had steak and kidney, and I had minced beef and onion) served with mashed potatoes, peas, and gravy. They offer traditional puddings like Jam Roly Poly and Spotted Dick for dessert if you have room (we didn’t!). The restaurant isn’t licensed, so the beverage options are hot drinks or a selection of nostalgic soft drinks such as dandelion and burdock, which took me hurtling straight back to my childhood!!
The restaurant is housed in a historic building on Grape Lane. The first written deeds on the property state that the lease was bought by John Sneaton of Sneaton, a shoemaker, in the 13th year of the reign of King Charles I (1638) from Hugh Cholmley, a Knight of Whitby. The building definitely dates from long before this, though. The back of the property is timber framed. Some parts are thought to be medieval.
Details of many of the inhabitants of the building have been lost over time, but it is known that the Sleighthome family lived and worked there in Victorian times, running the shop as a bakery and confectioners. Members of the family continued to run the business until the 1960s, adding a tearoom along the way.
The current owners didn’t know about the bakery connection when they opened Humble Pie and Mash. During renovations, they found lots of items from the building’s history, including shoe buckles, rings, coins, buttons, hairpins, clay pipes, keys, bone combs, a quill pen, and handwritten notes. These are all displayed in the shop now, along with old advertising signs, newspapers, and other memorabilia.
We thoroughly enjoyed our lunch, especially the Henderson’s Relish (Strong and Northern!) on every table. Definitely one of the best things to do in Whitby!
Whitby Brewery
Situated on East Cliff next to Whitby Abbey, Whitby Brewery is a great place to sit and enjoy a glass or two of craft beer. Whether your preference is for an IPA, a lager, an ale, or a stout, the brewery makes them all.
Between Easter and Halloween, you can book a 45-minute tour of the brewery. It costs £15 which includes three 1/3 pint tasters. You’ll find out about the brewing process, the ingredients, tools and technology they use, as well as their history and plans for the future. It’s definitely one of the best things to do in Whitby.
Whitby Distillery
Whitby Distillery is a family-run business that produces some of the finest small-batch gins in the country. Their signature botanicals are heather foraged from the North York Moors, sugar kelp, and local honey, each selected to champion one element of the North Yorkshire coastline. The result is a very distinctive but delicious gin. The company offers one-hour distillery tours costing £25 which include a talk about the history of Whitby Distillery, a botanicals masterclass, and, of course, gin tastings. We haven’t done this yet, but have booked to go for my birthday in March, so I’ll let you know what it’s like😊.
Whitby Walks and Tours
Walk to Sandsend
At low tide, there’s nothing like taking a stroll along Whitby’s wide sandy beach from the town’s harbour towards Sandsend. You can walk the whole way along the beach and back again, a round trip of around 5.8 kilometres. If you do this, please make sure you check the tide times. At low tide, there is a vast expanse of sand to walk along, but this quickly disappears when the tide comes in. Alternatively, you can walk along the cliff-top path from the Captain Cook Memorial. This is a fairly flat path with splendid views of the beaches below.
When you reach Sandsend, allow yourself some time to explore. The pretty fishing village includes a great beach and lots of attractive cottages. There are several places to stop for a drink or a bite to eat. The western side of the village is one of the most expensive areas to buy property on the Yorkshire Coast. We can dream, though, can’t we?
Follow the Heritage Trail
Whitby’s Walk with Heritage Trail features nine stunning life-size sculptures by local artist, Emma Stothard. She was inspired to create them by Whitby’s fishing heritage. Pick up a leaflet with map from the tourist office in town, or download the Love Exploring Mobile App for free. Follow the trail and learn more about the history of Whitby and its fishing industry. At the same time, you will explore the harbour area and the old town, as well as West Cliff. Click here to read my full account of the trail.
Whitby Sightseeing Bus
The double-decker sightseeing bus is a popular and convenient way to explore the charming town of Whitby. Operating between Easter and the end of October, this guided tour takes you on a journey through the town’s key attractions. Whether you are visiting for the first time or have been to the town many times, the double-decker bus offers a unique perspective of Whitby. It is especially beneficial for those who may have mobility issues, as it allows them to comfortably experience all that Whitby has to offer without having to walk long distances and, especially, climb too many hills or steps!
One of the highlights of the tour is its flexibility. Passengers can choose to get off at any stop along the route and rejoin later when they are ready. This gives visitors the chance to spend more time exploring places that pique their interest, such as the famous Whitby Abbey or the picturesque West Cliff.
The tour also includes informative commentary by local guides, who share interesting anecdotes and historical facts about the town. This not only adds to the experience but also provides a deeper understanding of Whitby’s rich heritage.
Tickets cost £8 for adults. You can buy them on the bus from the driver. They are valid for 24 hours. If you stay on for the complete route, it takes about an hour.
In addition to sightseeing, the tour also offers discounts at various local businesses along its route. This is a great way to support the community while also getting some savings on souvenirs or meals at restaurants.
Join a Ghost Walk
One of the best things to do in Whitby is to join one of the ghost walks that take place every evening. Embark on a spine-tingling journey through the town’s haunted alleyways and hear chilling tales of its ghostly past. This is not something that we have done (yet!), but I’m told that the best tour is the one done by Red Hat Ghost Walks.
Take a Boat Trip
Several boat companies in Whitby offer short trips around the harbour and out into the North Sea. These 20 to 30-minute excursions cost around £5 per adult. They are well worth it for a different perspective on the town, and for the anecdotes the boat’s skipper will surely tell you during the voyage.
Discover the Dracula Connection
Bram Stoker (1847 – 1912), a London theatre manager and writer, went to Whitby on holiday in 1890. While there, he borrowed books about Transylvania and vampires from the town’s library. He was inspired by his reading, and by the town itself, to write his world-famous novel, Dracula.
Whitby’s dramatic setting, and the wreck of the Dimitri on its beach, inspired the scene of the arrival of Count Dracula on a ship called the Demeter whose crew are all dead. Dracula comes ashore in the form of a fierce dog, runs up the 199 steps, and attacks his first victim in the churchyard of St Mary’s.
In recent times, Whitby’s links with Stoker’s novel have led to the town becoming an ‘alternative’ holiday destination and a magnet for Goths of all ages. Whitby’s Goth weekends take place in April and October every year.
If you want to get up close and personal with Dracula himself, you can visit the Dracula Experience on Marine Parade. Here, you can walk through eight scenes where impressive sets and props are enhanced by live actors who do their best to scare the living daylights out of unsuspecting tourists!
Time Your Visit to Catch One of Whitby’s Cultural Events
Whitby is not only steeped in history but it also hosts vibrant cultural events throughout the year. One of the most iconic is the Whitby Goth Weekend when the town comes alive with darkly atmospheric fashion and music. Immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere, explore the shops, and enjoy the captivating live performances. The event takes place twice a year – in April and October/November. At these times, the town is inundated with thousands of visitors from all over the world. Make sure you have organised somewhere to stay well in advance!
Other events in Whitby include the town’s Regatta, Folk Week, Steampunk weekends, the Fish and Ships Festival, a Northern Soul weekend, a 60s Festival, and the Motown Weekender. You can find details of all of these and more by clicking here.
The Very Best Thing to Do in Whitby
With everything Whitby has to offer, the very best way to spend your time in the town is to lose yourself in the ancient streets and alleyways. Take the time to wander aimlessly. Be surprised at what you find around each corner. Patronise Whitby’s quirky independent shops, admire the stunning Georgian architecture of St Hilda’s Terrace, stop for a drink in one of the many coffee shops or pubs, enjoy an ice cream on the harbourside, and poke your nose into every nook and cranny.
Here are some of my favourite spots:
To Sum Up
Whitby has something to offer every visitor, whether you’re seeking history, adventure, or culinary delights. From its ancient Abbey and captivating museums to its stunning coastal landscapes and vibrant cultural events, Whitby will leave you with lasting memories. So, put on your walking shoes, breathe in the sea breeze, and let Whitby’s charm enchant you. Explore the town and discover why it is one of the best destinations on the Yorkshire coast.
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