Gateway to WHITBY and the NORTH YORK MOORS
Whitby is a historic fishing port and tourist destination. It is situated 47 miles from York, at the mouth of the River Esk, on the beautiful Yorkshire Coast - which is also known as the dinosaur coast. Many interesting fossils have been found in the Whitby area including entire skeletons of pterodactyls. Whitby is known for its well preserved ammonite fossils, which can sometimes be found on the seashore, or purchased from any number of stalls or shops in the town.
The east cliff of Whitby is dominated by the ruins of Whitby Abbey and St Mary's Church, alongside is a large 'Pay & Display' car park that is popular with visitors to the Abbey. You can also park down near the docks where there is more 'Pay & Display' parking and take the short walk into the town, you might even decide to climb the 199 steps to the Abbey.
Whitby is steeped in history, but it is also surround by myth, legend and folklore. Whitby features in Bram Stroker's book 'Count Dracula'. Each year there is a Goth festival attracting thousands of fans to the event.
Many popular events take place in Whitby including music festivals, street parties and the famous Whitby Regatta.
There are numerous boat trips for both leisure and day fishing boat outings. Whitby is now linked directly to the North Yorkshire Moors Steam Railway, on special occasions you can catch a steam train and travel through the North York Moors National Park and into the market town of Pickering, or alight at one of the villages along the way.
Whitby has a fish market on the quayside, which is accessed along a narrow cobbled street. This ready supply of fresh fish has resulted in an abundance of 'Fish N Chip' shops in the town, Rick Stein described the Magpie Cafe as the best fish and chip shop in Britain.
There is an abundance of visitor attractions, restaurants and bars. Plus a large variety of accommodation providers in the town. Whitby is the ideal location for short breaks or long holidays, it has good public transport connections with Middlesborough and York, it is perfectly placed for exploring the Yorkshire Coast and the outstanding North York Moors National Park.
Whitby was awarded "Best Seaside Resort 2006", by Which? Holiday magazine.