Whitby - The Jewel in the Crown of the Yorkshire Coast
Whitby is a picturesque Yorkshire fishing town. Providing many wonderful attractions including the famous Abbey and Whalebone Arch, the East and West Piers, St. Mary’s Church and the 199 Steps as well as a myriad of independent shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants as well as it’s extensive sandy beach, Whitby is one of the top seaside destinations in the country.
Whatever the weather, you’ll always find something to do in Whitby. With several boats offering short cruises down the coast or fishing trips of various lengths the harbour is always a hive of activity. There are even whale watching trips in September. Sample some fish & chips from one of the many restaurants or takeaways and have a look around the cobbled streets of the old town and the market square. Whitby has frequent festivals and events throughout the year. Find out more here:
https://www.discoveryorkshirecoast.com/whitby/whats-on/#
The Esk Valley
The Esk Valley has been made famous as the filming location for ITV’s 'Heartbeat' programme. Just a few minutes drive from Whitby you’ll find a selection of beautiful villages located on the banks of the River Esk which flows 28 miles from its source in Westerdale before emerging at Whitby.
Villages such as Goathland, Egton, Danby, Lealholm and Castleton all offer a range of local amenities inlcuding comfortable and welcoming villages pubs and shops, and are the perfect places from which to begin a walk into the North York Moors.
The North Yorkshire Moors Steam Railway passes through the village of Grosmont on its way between Pickering and Whitby so is a popular destination particularly through the summer months.
With spectacular views, picturesque villages and a wide choice of footpaths and trails to follow and enjoy, the Esk Valley is one of Yorkshire’s most beautiful areas and certainly worth exploring whilst staying in the area.
Coastal Villages
To the south of Whitby lies the village of Robin Hood’s Bay which is a fantastic location for a day out at the beach. With a myriad of winding streets and alleys in the old village, a selection of pubs, shops and galleries as well as a beach which provides both sandy expanses stretching south to Ravenscar and thousands of rock pools to explore, Robin Hood’s Bay is great to visit for grown ups and children alike. NB parking is at the top of the hill so you will need to walk down into the village...and back up.
Moving north from Whitby you’ll find a selection of coastal villages including Staithes and Runswick Bay which also offer wonderful beaches and quaint villages, appearing much as they did 100 years ago.
The Cleveland Way footpath follows this stretch of coastline enabling those who are a little more adventurous to enjoy a walk along the coast providing some of the finest views in the county. Whitby to Robin Hood’s Bay is approximately 7 miles and takes about 2-3 hours to complete.
