Whitby Abbey
The first thing anybody will notice when approaching Whitby, whether they come in by sea into Whitby Harbour which was initially the only road into the town, or by road dropping in from high grounds of the North York Moors or any coastal route, you will notice remains of Whitby's famous Abbey.
This Abbey ruin is perched on a cliff overlooking Whitby Harbour and the North Sea. It was once a Benedictine monastery, built in 657 AD, and later fell victim to Norse raids. What remains today with its stunning gothic architecture was part of the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula. The abbey offers stunning views of the coastline and overlooks quaint cobblestone streets filled with charming shops and seafood restaurants. The ruined abbey remains one of Yorkshire's favourite tourist attractions and it's proudly managed by English Heritage.
Dracula
Bram Stoker visited Whitby in the 1800s exploring the historic seaside resort, listening to the old tales, and learning the stories from times gone by. The town's Gothic architecture and heritage-inspired him to write the novel Dracula which Whitby is still famous for today. Like most things in Whitby, it began in the harbour where Dracula's ship The Demeter came aground on Tate Hill Beach.
Tate Hill Beach
Tate Hill beach is also known as Collier’s Hope is one of several beautiful beaches in Whitby and is in a peaceful sheltered location looking out of the mouth of the harbour. It's a great place for families to spend time sunbathing or building sandcastles or having ice cream from one of the many shops. The beach is overlooked by the famous 199 Steps which Dracula climbed in the form of a black dog after leaving the Demeter grounded on Tate Hill Beach.
199 Steps
The iconic 199 Steps date back centuries and lead to the church of St Mary's church and Whitby Abbey. They offer stunning views of Yorkshire's East Coast, iconic Whitby photographs are taken from here and recognized worldwide as they are perhaps the most iconic scenes of Whitby and Yorkshire with spectacular coastal views.
Whitby Whalebones
Whitby whalebones are a reminder of the town's whaling heritage. Boats would leave Whitby and head out into the icy waters of the Arctic in search of whales. The whale's caught would be brought back to the northeast coast and processed in the many buildings that sprung up around the harbour, enitially this is how Whitby's fortune was made. The whalebone arch that stand on the west cliff today has been there since 1853 and replaced a few times over the years. The whalebones in place today were donated by the Alaskans where whale hunting is still permitted as it is part of their heritage and culture. Overlooking Whitby harbour mouth the whalebone arch stands alongside another monument to one of Yorkshire's and England's most famous sons, Captain Cook!
Captain James Cook
Captain Cook was born in Marton near Middlesbrough on the very edge of Yorkshire. James's career started as an apprentice to a grocer at the fishing village of Staithes on the Yorkshire coast. Surely inspired by stories of the sea he moved to Whitby where he learned seamanship. The house where he lodged on the side of Whitby harbour is now a museum and a must-see for any Captain Cook enthusiast.
His career led him to the Royal Navy where he went on to explore and discover much of the Southern Hemisphere including Australia and New Zealand. And a monument to the great man donated by the people of Australia stands on the west cliff of Whitby looking out over the sea and Whitby harbour mouth.
His extraordinary talent and achievements are still recognized today and perhaps there is no better way to honor them than when NASA named its most advanced spaceships Discovery and Endeavour after Cooks's famous ships that were built in Whitby Harbour.
Boat Buliding At Whitby
The growth of the whaling and alum trade when discovered locally saw an increased demand for merchant ships that were built on the banks of the River Esk and upper harbour. At one point Whitby had no less than 14 different shipyards rivaled Newcastle to be the second-largest producer of merchant ships in the UK which is an incredible feat. Whitby’s ships left the Yorkshire coast and set sail for the Baltic Sea and to all corners of the northern world and beyond and it is a testament to the great design and skilled semen.
Fishing Trips
Whitby is still a fishing port and still boasts some of the most experienced and skilled sea captains anywhere in England or British Isles operating the fishing boats and trawlers. The town has I was adapted to the times and a great past time when visiting is to take one of the many chartered fishing trips up to the sea, to simply fish the rough ground or to do some of the more precise wreck fishing where cod and Ling are most likely to be found.
Whitby Pleasure Boat Trips
Another great pass-time when visiting Whitby is to take a pleasure boat trip up the River Esk or out to sea. We even have a mini replica of the Endeavour that runs daily trips. When not out at sea it is an impressive site to see the pleasure craft tied to their mooring posts at the fish market and around the harbour.
Whitby Piers
Whitby harbour has 4 main piers that have been added over the years as protection for the estuary of the River Esk. In time gone by boats would pay a toll for the upkeep and improvements of the harbour. Not originally built with tourism in mind but all piers are accessible and are a great place to take a casual stroll to the lighthouses or to the east, west extensions beyond.
What Fish Are In Whitby Harbour?
Trout and cod can be caught in Whitby harbour and at certain times of the year, mackerel are often caught off the extensions especially at high tide. The new bridge the east extension has made the pier fully accessible once again.
Whitby Bandstand
Just before reaching the east pier, you will come across Whitby's bandstand built opposite the lifeboat museum which hoses the old lifeboat and let the foot of Khyber Pass. This impressive structure is built overlooking the harbour which is regularly used for performances and events.
Whitby Regatta
Whitby regatta is a three-day event held in August annually and has run for almost 200 years. Entertainment is provided all around the harbour and on the west cliff with the annual boat races in the Esk and the event is concluded with a massive firework display east pier.
Whitby Christmas Market
The Whitby Christmas market is becoming an annual event to be held around the harbour. The event is located on Endeavour wharf in the marina and offers fabulous family entertainment over a three-day period. The market boasts many unique stalls and has some fabulous places to eat. Rides and entertainment I sure to provide hours of fun.
Whitby Fish And Chips
No visit would be complete without sampling the famous Whitby fish and chips. Any lover of fresh fish cannot fail to be impressed by the standard of the chip shops dotted around Whitby harbour and the pier is a perfect place to sit and eat them.
Fortune's Kipper House
As you approach Fortune's Smokehouse and Shop in the historic harbor, the scent of oak wood smoke fills the air. Nestled beneath the ancient cliffs and under the gaze of St. Mary's Church, this famous attraction can be found at the end of Henrietta Street, just beyond the infamous 199 steps leading up to Whitby Abbey.
Not only is Fortune's the only traditional smokehouse in Whitby, but they also produce the only authentic Whitby kippers.
Places To Stay In Whitby
Whitby's selection of accommodation is unparalleled, from luxurious hotels overlooking the harbour to picturesque cottages hidden around town. For those who love spending time in nature, there are many campsites just outside the town that offer plenty for adventurers, or just a great central base to discover more of Yorkshire.
Visit Whitby
This historic town and small fishing port is arguably one of the best seaside resorts in Europe. With its rich history and heritage spanning over 1,000 years, Whitby offers something for everyone. The many bars, restaurants, and shops surrounding the harbour make it an ideal destination for a weekend getaway or an annual event. At certain times of the year, you can even witness the stunning sight of the sun rising and setting directly over the sea, adding to the magic of a Whitby sunset. If you're searching for a beautiful place to relax and enjoy yourself, look no further than Whitby.
Whitby Photography Around The Harbour
Many of the iconic and stunning Yorkshire photographs are captured around Whitby's historic harbour. Whether it be the famous feel from the 199 steps or a beautiful summer sunrise over the peers and West Exstension or Swing Bridge the views are sure to inspire. Whitby is unique in that at certain times of the year you can see the sunrise and sunset over the the north east coast.
Canvases And Prints Of Whitby Harbour
North Yorkshire Gallery is the perfect destination for those looking to purchase high-quality prints and canvases of Whitby Harbour. We make fine art canvases that are recognized for being to the highest worldwide standard.
Our framed pictures of Whitby harbour are simply breathtaking and made by us in Yorkshire and we offer them in a wide variety of frames. Our Whitby harbor five pieces of wall art prints are a talking point of any home and look simply magnificent and like the rest of our print products completed to the highest standards.
We offer a huge variety of Whitby harbour keepsakes and gifts for any occasion from our unique light-up bottles to beautifully printed rock slates and coasters. When you next visit Whitby, we are located on the east side of the town on Church Street en route to the famous 199 steps call in and see us.
Whitby Harbour Gifts
We carry a fantastic selection of souvenirs and gifts to remember your trip to the beautiful port. Offerings range from stylish cushions, light up bottles, coasters, Whitby jigsaws, and rock slates – all emblazoned with stunning images of the harbour.
Our double-sided cushions are unrivalled in design and quality – combining both comfort and classic maritime style, they’re perfect for giving your home that nautical feel. Our light up bottles allow you to bring the romantic glow of the harbour into your home; illuminated from within, these unique creations look beautiful day or night! And for a simple memento of your visit, there’s our coaster sets and rock slates decorated with vibrant shots of the harbour.
So why not take something special home from Whitby Harbour? All of our items come together to perfectly symbolise the beauty of this historic port. Shop now and find just what you need to commemorate your adventures around this amazing part of the Yorkshire Coast!
Free Uk Delivery
We are pleased to let you know that all the prices shown on this website include UK delivery! This means that you can shop for your favourite items without having to worry about postage costs. And, of course, we will still deliver your purchases quickly and safely to your door.
International Delivery
If you’re looking for the perfect Whitby gift, our selection of Whitby-themed gifts is second to none, and we’re happy to ship them anywhere in the world. However, due to ever-changing postage rates, we’re unable to maintain accurate shipping costs on our website. So if you see something you like, just contact us and let us know which product you’d like and where you’d like it shipped. We’ll be happy to provide you with an accurate shipping quote