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Discover Whitby

A seaside town full of history and character
Whitby is one of the most distinctive coastal towns in North Yorkshire, known for its dramatic cliffs, historic harbour and strong links to maritime history and literature. Sitting on the edge of the North York Moors National Park, Whitby attracts visitors throughout the year.
🏰 199 steps to the abbey 🐟 world‑famous fish & chips 📖 Dracula's Whitby 🦴 fossil hunting ⛰ North York Moors

🏛 Whitby Abbey

One of Whitby’s most famous attractions is Whitby Abbey, the Gothic ruins that sit high above the town overlooking the North Sea. The abbey famously inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula, giving Whitby a unique place in literary history. Visitors can climb the famous 199 Steps from the old town up to the abbey for panoramic views across the harbour and coastline.

🌊 Harbour & Old Town

The town is split by the River Esk, with the historic Old Town on the east side. The Old Town is full of narrow cobbled streets, independent shops, traditional pubs and famous fish and chip restaurants. Many visitors spend hours exploring the small alleyways and discovering local businesses that have been part of the town for generations.

⚡ Whitby highlights

🍽 Seafood

Whitby is one of the best places in the UK for fresh seafood, especially its famous fish and chips by the harbour.

🏖 Beach & fossils

Sandy beaches perfect for fossil hunting (ammonites!) and long coastal walks with dramatic cliff views.

🚶 Coastal paths

The Cleveland Way runs along the cliffs. Walk to Sandsend or Robin Hood's Bay for stunning scenery.

📖 Literary links

From Dracula to Caedmon, the gothic atmosphere and winding alleys have inspired generations.


🗺 Beyond the harbour

Beyond the bustling harbour, Whitby's surroundings invite you to explore further. The North York Moors National Park starts almost at the town boundary, offering heather-covered moorland and deep valleys. For walkers, the Cleveland Way national trail runs along the cliffs with breathtaking views.

🧭 A town for all seasons

Whether you are visiting for a weekend break, a seaside walk or to explore Whitby’s history and culture, the town offers a unique mix of heritage, food and coastal scenery that keeps visitors coming back year after year.

✔️ Unmissable Whitby experiences

  • Climb the 199 steps and explore the abbey ruins
  • Taste haddock & chips from a harbour-side shop
  • Search for jet and fossils along the beach at low tide
  • Walk across the swing bridge and explore the old town's "ghol" (narrow alleys)
  • Take the coastal path to Saltwick Bay for abbey views

Whitby is situated on the North East Yorkshire Coast of England, UK, has everything a seaside resort can offer the visiting tourist, whether for that day trip, a short weekend break or the family annual vacation. About Whitby is a website that endeavours to provide you the visiting tourist information you need when searching for bed and breakfast accommodation in Whitby in a guesthouses, a hotel, a self catering cottage or apartments. Find what Whitby has to offer in eating out places, such as in restaurants, bistros, bars or cafes for foods of Italian, French, Indian or Greek cuisines and not forgetting the traditional Yorkshire fish & chips takeaway when in Whitby.

Here you will find the local inshore fishing boats, the larger working deep sea fishing trawlers, day trip boats and the fish auction quayside. On both sides of the river Esk you will find the tourist shops selling Whitby rock, Whitby jet, Whitby holiday souvenirs, Whitby fisheries selling freshly caught cod, crab, lobsters, oysters, cockles and the very popular Whitby fish and chip restaurants and cafe’s for either a takeaway in the traditional paper wrap takeaway or some of the finest sit in fish and chip restaurants in North Yorkshire.

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One of the oldest race meets in the country, Chester races is held on the Roodee in Chester. A great day out and the opportunity to mix with some of the elite of Chester and spot the odd famous face or two!

One of the most popular places to visit in the North West, the Cathedral attracts over one million visitors each year. Entry is free of charge. This site has been a place of worship for over one thousand years, standing as a living and vibrant symbol in the area.

Grosvenor Centre

Located within the City Roman Walls. Just 2 minutes walk from the river Dee and all the tourist attractions that Chester has to offer. Your opportunity to make your shopping trip a real leisure experience.

Chester Zoo offers a fun and stimulating day out for everyone, no matter what age or ability. As well as our 500 different species of animals and award-winning gardens, we offer first class facilities that ensure your day out is as enjoyable as possible.

About Whitby

 Whitby seaside holiday resort has a skyline that is dominated by seagulls flying over the red roof tops of local fishermen cottages. At the top of East Cliff in Whitby, reached by climbing the famous 199 steps, are the ruins of Whitby Abbey, Whitby Abbey visitor centre, St. Hilda’s St Mary’s church. It is here at St Mary’s church that the author Bram Stoker found the inspiration to write the world famous story of the undead, vampires, for his book named Dracula. Panoramic views from Whitby Abbey cliff tops over Whitby town and the river Esk below are breath taking, seeing a canopy of red roof tops and a maze of alleyways leading to olde fisherman’s cottages and yards, going down narrow cobbled streets to the busy fishing harbour.

Find Whitby

Whitby, a charming coastal town in North Yorkshire, is easy to reach by car, train, or bus. Just a short drive from Scarborough or Middlesbrough, it offers stunning sea views, historic streets, and the famous Whitby Abbey overlooking the harbour.