Located on Yorkshire's North Sea coast, this fishing port has a Gothic abbey on the clifftop and deep maritime roots. Bram Stoker set parts of Dracula here in 1897.
Whitby rises along the North Yorkshire coast, where fishing boats dock at the working harbor and narrow cobblestone streets wind up to the Gothic abbey ruins. You can climb the 199 stone steps to St Mary's Church, browse jet jewelry workshops, or watch fishermen unload their daily catch. The town's connection to Bram Stoker's Dracula draws gothic culture fans, while the Captain Cook Memorial Museum chronicles the explorer's early years in this seaside community.
Exploring the Abbey and East Cliff
The 13th-century Gothic ruins of Whitby Abbey stand high on East Cliff, visible from across town. You can explore the abbey grounds and visit the museum to see artifacts found during archaeological digs. The 199 steps leading up to the abbey challenge many visitors, but stone benches along the way let you catch your breath while looking out over the red-tiled roofs and harbor below.
Maritime History and Captain Cook
The Captain Cook Memorial Museum occupies the 17th-century house where Cook lived as an apprentice seaman in the 1740s. Inside, you'll find his original maps and letters from Pacific voyages. During summer, you can sail around the harbor on a replica of Cook's ship Endeavour. The Whitby Museum displays artifacts from the town's whaling past, including scrimshaw art and hunting equipment.
Food Scene and Local Specialties
Fishing boats dock daily at Whitby Harbor, supplying restaurants and shops with fresh seafood. Local smokehouses prepare Whitby kippers using traditional oak-smoking methods. You can buy fresh crab and lobster directly from fishmongers near the harbor, or try North Sea cod and haddock at the town's fish restaurants. The market halls house vendors selling Yorkshire cheeses, local vegetables, and freshly baked bread.
Beaches and Coastal Activities
West Cliff Beach stretches along one side of the River Esk, lined with painted beach huts and connected by a wide promenade. You can walk sections of the Cleveland Way National Trail, heading south to Robin Hood's Bay (6.5 miles) or north to Staithes (9 miles). Local boats take visitors on fishing trips or coastal tours from the harbor between April and September.
Events Throughout the Year
The biannual Whitby Goth Weekend fills the streets with music performances and alternative fashion. During Whitby Folk Week in August, musicians perform in pubs and on street corners throughout town. The Whitby Regatta brings three days of rowing competitions, air shows, and evening fireworks. At the Fish and Ships Festival, you can watch cooking demonstrations and tour fishing boats.
Getting Around Whitby
You can walk to most places in the center, though many streets are steep. Buses run regularly to nearby coastal villages and into the North York Moors. The North Yorkshire Moors Railway operates steam trains between Whitby and Pickering, crossing 24 miles of national park landscape. If you drive, park at one of the lots outside the center - streets get crowded during summer and weekends.
