Explore the area

Things to Do in Whitby

DAY 1: STAND IN AWE OF ABBEY

Conquer the 199 steps and Piers

Morning

Think of Whitby, and it’s impossible not to picture the iconic Whitby Abbey. So that’s where we would suggest you start your Whitby route. There is a good car park at the Abbey, so this is a good place to park away from the busy town centre.

Next, take the 199 steps down to the town. You can feel pretty smug as you take this scenic entry into the town, watching others tackle the climb upwards. Don’t forget you’ll need to come back up again later!

However, in literary history, it is not just us mere mortals that have climbed the steps, but Dracula himself! Bram Stoker wrote that after the shipwreck that brought Dracula to the town, he ran up the famous steps to the graveyard in St Mary’s Church in the shape of a black dog.

Try the cobbled donkey road if you don’t fancy the steps on your return or fancy an even greater challenge. Of course, you’ll need a good stretch and sensible footwear before starting the steep climb. However, this quieter route still gives you the reward for the spectacular views across the East Pier, beach and sea.

Afternoon

The working harbours and iconic swing bridge divide the East from the West, providing great spaces to view tall ships, fishing vessels and yachts as they come in and out throughout the day.

At the mouth of the harbour lie the East and West Piers. With its lighthouse added in 1840, the West Pier is the easiest to access and the perfect spot to take a stroll and enjoy sunrise and sunsets across the sea.

If you love the sea and exploring areas in a non-traditional way, there are plenty of boat trips you can take, from sea angling to pleasure boats to soak up the view and sea spray.

This is a busy area all year round, so be mindful of the ongoing traffic that goes through the centre.

The whole of the Yorkshire Coast is known for its excellent fish and chips - you’ll be hard-pressed to get a bad portion anywhere here!

DAY 2: BRINGING HERITAGE AND CULTURE ALIVE

Life-size sculptures and unique historic finds

Morning

The wonderfully talented local sculptor Emma Stothard has created a series of life-sized sculptors depicting the rich history of Whitby’s fishing heritage. This heritage-sculpture trail includes nine unique creations spread through both East and West Whitby.

If you’d like to see more of Emma’s work, there’s another piece within the Whitby route at Staithes called The Blue Lobster.

Occasionally a rare, bright blue lobster will be landed, known as a “coronation” lobster. The piece is inspired to represent Staithes’ fishing heritage, highlighting its past and present fishing industry.

So why not head out to beautiful Staithes to see this stunning artwork and grab some lunch at The Cod and Lobster.

Afternoon

Located just a stone’s throw away from the bustling centre of Whitby, Pannet Park plays host to the Whitby Museum and the Pannett Art Gallery.

The park and art gallery are free to visit - there is a charge to the museum, but it’s well worth visiting to give you the background to the fascinating geology and fossil finds to look out for on the rest of your adventures.

There are some gentle trails to explore, like the Turtle Trails, Pannett Park, Jurassic Garden, a Guide to the Trees of Pannett Park and Art in the Park. You can pick up leaflets for these trails in the museum.

A must-stop for a bite to eat back down on the harbour is The Magpie Café, but make sure you book!

DAY 3: FOLLOW THE RAIL TRAIL

Walk the Rail Trail to discover famous TV scene

Morning

If you are looking for a walk to experience the beauty of the North York Moors National Park, follow The Rail Trail between Goathland and Grosmont.

It traces the route of one of the country’s earliest railways, between Pickering and Whitby, and there are some fabulous information panels along the way explaining the hidden history of this area.

The former railway track is now perfect for a peaceful stroll through woods and fields, with occasional glimpses of the heritage trains on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

The walk is about 3.5 miles and, on average, takes about 2.5 hours, dependent on how long you decide to stop off and explore Goathland, Beck Hole and Grosmont en route.

Afternoon

Goathland train station not only serves as a great way to leisurely take in the views of the national park but has an almost celebrity status in its own right.

Featured in Harry Potter as Hogsmeade Station and in the popular TV series Heartbeat, the station and Goathland have captured people’s imagination for years.

After visiting the station or watching the steam trains pass by, you can join many a walk to further explore the area.

The Rail Trail will take you to Grosmont, or you can head on over to the dramatic Mallyan Spout Waterfall. The 70ft high Mallyan Spout waterfall can be reached by a footpath close to the Mallyan Spout Hotel. You can continue the walk along the River Esk all the way to Whitby though to complete The Rail Trail circuit or jump on one of the steam trains of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, from Grosmont to Goathland or even Pickering.

DAY 5: COBBLED STREETS AND FOSSIL HUNTING

Explore Robin Hoods Bay and Bogglehole

Morning

No Whitby experience would be complete without visiting the picturesque fishing village Robin Hood’s Bay.

Immerse yourself in the village's charm by wandering through the narrow, twisting, cobbled streets and alleyways. It isn’t hard to imagine the fisherman’s wives gutting the fish and throwing it into the road gullies or the sailors, fishermen and smugglers that walked and controlled these streets.

However, the history and beauty of the area have also brought about a vibrant cafe, pub culture and plenty of unique shops to explore.

Be mindful that the descent to the bottom is on foot through the cobbled streets, so good walking shoes are recommended. You can loop back along the seafront walls and back up towards The Victoria Hotel from the dock end, where you can get great views across the bay.

If you’re feeling more energetic, you can explore many walking and cycling routes in this area, including the Cleveland Way, which runs between Whitby and Scarborough.

Afternoon

While at Robin Hood’s Bay, why not walk further along the beach until you reach Bogglehole. This is easily reached along the beach if the tide is out. This is the site of a long-established Youth Hostel Association (YHA) site.

We are in prime fossil hunting land here, and it is relatively easy for anyone to find a little piece of former life from around 150 million years ago - if you know where and what to look for. We suggest you join one of the many guided fossil walks that often start from Bogglehole.

DAY 6: SANDY BEACHES MEET WILD WOODLAND

From Sandsend through to Mulgrave woods

Morning

At the northern end of Whitby is the quaint village of Sandsend. The sweeping sandy beaches and roads lined with seating create an idyllic resting spot.

It provides some great views back across towards the Abbey and pier, and it is an excellent place for escape from the large bustling crowds at busy times of the year.

This is a fantastic place to capture sunrise and sunset. You will see people enjoying sea swimming and walking their dogs at sunrise before the cafés open, ready to serve delicious handmade treats and local catch of the day, with a beautiful Spa nearby.

The Cleveland Way passes through for walkers, so it is a great place to stop and take the pressure off weary feet before continuing the journey. The bank at the top of Sandsend is steep, so check your towing equipment and brakes on a wet, rainy day.

Afternoon

If you love walks and woodlands, don’t forget to mark Mulgrave Woods as a must-do. The Woods are privately maintained by the Mulgrave Estate, owned by the Marquis & Marchioness of Normanby and open to the public from dawn to dusk on Wednesdays,

Saturdays, and Sundays throughout the year but closed in May. There are footpaths for people of most abilities to enjoy. You can start your exploration at the picturesque area of Sandsend before following the trail into the woods.

Amongst the woods are the ruins of the Mulgrave Castle, you will discover the ruins of the former Norman castle along with some stunning views across the valley.

Interestingly, there’s a legend of a much older castle on this site which was believed to have been built by Wade/Wada, ruler of Hälsingland, Sweden. The legend says that Wade, a giant, travelled through Yorkshire, building lots of roads and castles along the way - a good one to test a local’s knowledge while recovering from the walk in the pub in the evening!

Or, if you like to indulge in the darker tails, this is an area with many a ghost story. Keep a watchful eye for the PadPad, the part goat/panther/human who is believed to live under the ruins protecting the castle from anyone who makes camp there. If you ignore the legend, make sure you listen carefully for the sound of its feet softly padding on the floor...if you can hear it, you might just disappear!

DAY SEVEN: SHIPWRECKS AND SEALS

Say hello to seals and explore shipwrecks if the tide is kind

Morning

Saltwick Bay is best reached on foot from Whitby, and this 1.5m walk will reward you in unusual shipwreck sites.

It is a glorious sculpted bay with uninterrupted sea views and is steeped in geological and maritime features.

The mixture of rocky cliffs and hidden bays can provide moments for you to escape, but this is still a rugged coastline. Be careful if you approach Whitby Holiday Park, as the steps can be slippy when wet, and rockfalls are common.

When exploring Saltwick Bay, keep a lookout for fossils. There have been many fabulous finds, from dinosaur footprints to the skeleton of the Telesaurus Senosauris Bollensies in 1824. Don’t worry if you don’t know what this is - it’s like a marine crocodilian, and you can still see it at the Whitby Museum.

Another reason to visit Saltwick Bay is that it is one of the few places that offers a unique sunset and sunrise experience.

Mirror-like pools make for breathtaking reflections. Rock formations portray textures to perfection and are especially true during late May to late July when the ‘double sun’ effect occurs here.

Afternoon

Another interesting and breathtakingly beautiful place to visit is Ravenscar, a place of elevated views perfect for that Insta moment or a chance to explore the manicured gardens and rugged coastal path.

The area feels luxurious, with its manicured gardens and panoramic views, the Raven Hall Hotel perched on top of the clifftop. This is the perfect place to start your experience because while you work out whether you want an easy walk or a longer hike, you can acclimate to the fresh Seabreeze with a coffee.

For walkers and cyclists, the old railway line Cinder Track passes through here as well as the Cleveland Way, and there are some great trails to follow to learn more about the alum mining in this area.