Whitby Whalebones

Are Whitby Whalebones Real?

Well, they were. The Whitby Whalebones that stood on West Cliff were real whale jawbones from a bowhead whale hunted in Alaska. They were presented to Whitby and installed in 2003, becoming one of the town’s most recognisable landmarks and a reminder of Whitby’s historic whaling past.

The real Whitby Whale Bones were removed from West Cliff on 1 September 2026 after years of exposure to the coastal weather had caused them to deteriorate. They are being replaced by a bronze replica of the Whalebone Arch, designed to preserve the familiar landmark for future generations.

When Did Whaling In Whitby Begin?

Whitby’s commercial whaling industry began in 1753, when the first whaling vessels sailed from Whitby Harbour. The early expeditions had mixed success, but the industry quickly developed and Whitby became an important whaling port.

By the early 1800s, dozens of ships were operating from Whitby, bringing whales back to the town to be processed. Whale oil was used for lighting, lubrication and fuel, while whalebone was used to make a wide variety of everyday products.

One of the most famous names associated with Whitby’s whaling history was William Scoresby, whose family became hugely successful in the industry.

William Scoresby

William Scoresby was one of the most famous figures in Whitby’s whaling history. Born in 1760, he became a highly successful Arctic whaler and helped establish the Scoresby family as one of the best-known names associated with Whitby’s whaling industry.

During his long career at sea, Scoresby developed improvements to whaling equipment and is also associated with the use of the crow’s nest as an elevated lookout aboard Arctic whaling ships. His son, William Scoresby Jr, followed him to sea and became a respected Arctic explorer, scientist and author.

The Scoresby family remains an important part of Whitby’s maritime history and helps explain why the Whitby Whalebones became such a symbolic landmark for the town.

Why Does Whitby Have Whalebones?

How Long Has Whitby Had Whalebones?

The first Whitby Whalebone Arch was erected on West Cliff in 1853, meaning whalebones have been a familiar Whitby landmark for more than 170 years. The original bones were eventually replaced by a set donated by Norway in 1963, followed by another set of real whale jawbones donated from Alaska and installed in 2003.

Those Alaskan bones remained on West Cliff for more than 20 years before being removed on 1 September 2026 after deteriorating through prolonged exposure to the coastal weather.

What Is Replacing the Whitby Whalebones?

The real Whitby Whale Bones that stood on West Cliff were removed on 1 September 2026 after more than two decades overlooking the town. Years of exposure to Whitby's coastal weather had caused the bones to deteriorate and they had reached the end of their usable life.

The familiar landmark will not disappear permanently. A new bronze replica of the Whitby Whalebone Arch is planned for West Cliff, recreating the shape and appearance of the real bones while providing a much more durable replacement.

The new bronze Whalebones are expected to be installed in early 2027, beginning another chapter in the history of a landmark that has overlooked Whitby since the first arch was erected in 1853.

Whitby Photography Of The Whalebone Arch

Whitby Whalebones Prints and Canvas Wall Art

Our Whitby Whalebones photographs are available as canvas prints, framed prints and other wall art, all produced by us at The North Yorkshire Gallery in Whitby. Over the years we’ve photographed the Whalebone Arch through spectacular sunrises and sunsets, winter snow, moonlight and changing weather over the town.

You can now explore our dedicated Whitby Whalebones Photos gallery, bringing together our collection of photographs of this much-loved Whitby landmark. Choose your favourite image and view the different print and wall art options available.

Whitby Whalebones Photos

Explore a small selection of our Whitby Whalebones photos, captured throughout the seasons and in changing light from West Cliff overlooking Whitby.

Whitby Whalebones Video

Watch a short collection of our Whitby Whalebones photography, featuring the famous Whalebone Arch captured in different seasons, weather and light over the years.

Where Are The Whitby Whalebones

The Whitby Whalebones stood on West Cliff on North Terrace, overlooking Whitby Harbour and the town below. The real whale bones were removed on 1 September 2026, but this remains the location of the famous Whalebone Arch and is where the new bronze replica is planned to be installed.

Whitby Gifts

International Delivery