Whitby is a stunning English seaside town set on the beautiful North Yorkshire coastline. It has a long and colourful history that has left us with a rich heritage.
There’s plenty to see and do in and around Whitby. Activities range from riding on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, walking the Cleveland Way or just exploring the many historic sites around the town including Whitby Abbey.
The inspiration for Dracula High on a cliff above the Yorkshire seaside town of Whitby is the gaunt, imposing remains of Whitby Abbey. Founded in 657 by St Hilda, Whitby Abbey has over the years been a bustling settlement, a kings’ burial place, the setting for a historic meeting between Celtic and Roman clerics, the home of saints including the poet Caedmon, and inspiration for Bram Stoker, author of Dracula.
There is no better way to take the weight of the world off your shoulders than to take a walk along the Cleveland Way National Trail that passes right by The White House. This 110-mile/176 km walking route follows the fantastic scenery of the North York Moors National Park, crossing stunning lengths of heather moorland and providing spectacular views of the North Yorkshire coastline. The distance to walk is entirely up to you, some enjoy a few hours, some a few days and others take nine days to walk the full length between Helmsley and Filey.
A great day out in North Yorkshire!
Step back in time with Britain’s most popular heritage steam railway. Enjoy stunning scenery along 18 miles of railway through the National Park between Whitby and Pickering.
Daily running from the end of March to the end of October.
Also Pullman dining services operate at evenings and weekends throughout the year.
The old village of Robin Hood’s Bay is a magnet for visitors. The village road runs steeply down to the very edge of the rocky shore and there are intriguing alleyways weaving between tightly packed cottages and houses. Along the rocky shoreline are rock pools with abundant marine life, perfect for crabbing with the kids when the tides out. The village also has public toilets, a picnic area, tourist Information, takeaways restaurants, tearooms, a general store and gift shops, and public houses serving bar meals, a church and post office. There are also regular bus services to and from Whitby and Scarborough.
North York Moors National Park The North York Moors National Park is the smallest of Yorkshire’s three National Parks, but is home to the largest expanse of unbroken wild heather moorland in England and a heritage coast upon which dinosaurs once roamed. Lush green fields, atmospheric woods, vast open moorland, dramatic coastline; the North York Moors has contrasting scenery and is the perfect place to get away from it all. Also, if you sit quietly enough you are sure to see a variety of birds and animals, which inhabit the landscape.
Whitby is also on the edge of Heartbeat Country made famous by the popular television drama series based on the life and times of a country policeman that was centred upon the rural village of Goathland, known on TV as Aidensfield. This is only a short drive away, passing through typical stone-built Yorkshire villages, beautiful green countryside and the famous purple heather moorlands on route.
Heartbeat Country extends over quite an area, but its main location is Aidensield (Goathland) which possesses many of the settings and scenes featured on your television screens. These include the Police House, the Nurse’s Flat, Aidensfield Stores, Aidensfield Post Office, the Aidensfield Arms, Scripps or Aidensfield Garage and Aidensfield Station.