Whitby - the jewel of the Yorkshire Coast
A vibrant blend of old and new
With its cobbled streets, sandy beaches and fishing boats, Whitby is, on the face of it, a traditional seaside town. But look a little closer and you will find a vibrant and unique place with varied appeal.
Popular with families looking for a traditional British seaside holiday of fish and chips and donkey rides on the beach, it's as much at home to bohemians and goths (the town is featured in Bram Stoker's Dracula), as well as with walkers who are attracted by the spectacular scenery and coastal walks.
Ancient cobbled streets and alleyways are lined with fisherman's houses, pubs and coaching inns, as well as vibrant and varied cafes, bars, restaurants and independent shops. The famous 199 steps lead up to the wonderful Grade 1 listed St Mary's church with its famous graveyard overlooking the town and the mouth of the river Esk. Close by is the ancient Abbey ruins and visitor centre, as well as the YHA with it's tea rooms with the best views in Whitby.
Cross the bridge to the other side of the town and you can take a stroll down the waterside on to the West Pier to the recently refurbished lighthouse with spectacular views of the town and harbour, then up to see the whale bones on the top of the West Cliff.
Visit the landscaped gardens of Pannett Park which houses a children's playground and also Whitby’s art gallery and museum of the town's history, myth and legend. There are themed tea rooms, fish and chip shops and palmists alongside goth shops and The Dracula Experience.
In short, Whitby is a fabulous mix of the traditional and the obscure; where the best of the mainstream British seaside holiday blends with the alternative, artistic and sometimes bizarre. It's the jet black jewel of the Yorkshire Coast.