Plan The Perfect Weekend in Whitby
It's not all vampires and jet in this popular seaside town. It has plenty more tales to tell and lots of cafés and independent shops to discover
Eat
You can’t truly enjoy a trip to the seaside without fish and chips. The Magpie Café is renowned for being one of the finest fish and chips restaurants in the country, as is award-winning Trenchers too. For something a bit different, The Garden Room Bistro at Sneaton Castle offers breaded Whitby scampi or teriyaki salmon. For a good selection of wine, beer and cocktails to accompany your seafood, try The Marine. Over on the West Cliff Pizza West have an extensive menu of sourdough pizzas and delicious appetisers. There’s rigatoni, gnocchi and spaghetti for those who prefer pasta too.
Sleep
Whilst Raithwaite Sandsend is closed for renovation, there are plenty more places nearby to rest your head. In Eskdaleside, Partridge Nest Farm is surrounded by rolling countryside and there’s a dog-friendly cottage and glamping pods to choose from. To be closer to the action, the naval themed Resolution Hotel sits proudly above Whitby’s town centre (so it has great views of the abbey) and The White House Inn overlooks Whitby Golf Club and has a dog-friendly bar.
Browse
W Hamond has been welcoming visitors from around the world for over 150 years – it’s a must-visit for a celebration of iconic Whitby Jet. For unique homewares and one-of-a-kind gifts take a look inside the dark and dramatic Wolf of Whitby. Furbellow & Co stocks clothing and grooming favourites for men, and stocks Berties Of Bay fishermen gansey jumpers. For the seaside’s best spirits, book a tour to go behind the scenes of Whitby Distillery and find out how they craft their award-winning gin and rum.
Don’t Miss
Pannet Park is always a great place to spend time, whether your kids are making the most of the state of the art play area or you’re browsing the creations on display in Pannett Art Gallery. It’s also home to Whitby Museum don't miss Our Lasses – a new exhibition showcasing the remarkable women of Whitby through the ages. Count your way up the 199 steps to reach St Mary’s Church and Whitby Abbey. If you time it right, the ice cream van could be parked up at the top, and children can meet characters from the past for hands-on fun this half term.
Around the corner...
Everyone from Heartbeat fans to Potterheads will want to stop by nearby Goathland to visit its heritage station, which was transformed into Hogsmeade station for the early Harry Potter films. This moorland village, which became Aidensfield for TV drama Heartbeat, has attracted visitors since the 19th century. Don’t miss the stunning Mallyan Spout waterfall while you’re there too.
