Once upon a time before we moved to the big smoke we lived in a small town down the road from Whitby. Yep, we don’t hide our Northern roots, and with it we can reveal some gems of the British coast line. Whitby has charm in bucket loads, steeped in history from St Hilda driving snakes off a cliff edge, to influencing the redesign of the Vikings ships to the first German fighter plane in World War II to be shot down over England. It is also known as ‘the Halloween Town’ of Great Britain. It’s full of fossils, has a Dracula Museum (Bram Stoker’s famous novel was set in Whitby), hosts the bi-annual Whitby Gothic Weekend…yes a weekend for Goths but above all that it’s a beautiful Sea Side Town…want more proof, well it was awarded “Best Seaside Resort 2006” by Which? Holiday magazine…case closed. We list some of the best things about the Seaside town for those looking to spending a weekend away on adventures throughout the UK.
EAT: FRIED & FROZEN
Famous for its fish and chips there’s no lack of decent chippies around town. People love to queue for the Magpie but there’s really no difference in the quality down the road at Trenches or Quayside. Go for takeaway, sit on the harbour and watch the seagulls – and don’t forget to ask for scraps, that’s pieces of leftover batter which should be drowned in salt and vinegar. When you’re done head to the nearest ice cream shop and order a lemon top, Mr Whippy ice-cream topped with lemon sorbet. Oh so good.
DRINK: ANYWHERE & EVERYWHERE
There’s no shortage of pubs either, from old traditional, new and trendy to gothic you will find well stocked bars with beer, ales and cider. The Endeavour on Church Street is dog friendly and will let you bring in your own fish and chips. There are plenty of other boozers right on the same street too. Further out if you walk from Whitby to Robin Hood’s Bay you can find Ye Dolphin that is a good spot to reward yourself with a beverage at. You can’t really get too far without wondering into a watering hole rounder, and thats no bad thing. Plenty of locals to chat to from fishermen to residents who will probably have a few tails of the area for you.
SEE: ABBEY RUINS
No trip to Whitby is complete without climbing the 199 steps up to the gothic Abbey ruins which inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula set on the East Cliff. He’s not buried there though, no matter how many people tell you he is. Then over on the West Cliff you’ll find a set of whale bones which form a huge arch that you can walk under – now there’s an Instagram op half of London won’t have.
DO: THRILLS AND CHILLS
Pier Road is littered with amusements of the best kind, hop from one to another blowing your load on the 2p machines – or if you’re rolling there’s always the 10p options. Want to get closer to nature? Then there’s a surf school suitable for all levels or for those more sensible – hey it’s the North Sea here – bag a seat on a boat and head out whale watching. The season peaks in August and September and you might see a few seals and dolphins too.
STAY: IN A LIGHTHOUSE
There are some very quirky places to stay in Whitby like this 3 bedroom holiday cottage at Whitby Lighthouse, set on the edge of a dramatic cliff giving stunning views over looking the ocean. There’s a six bedroom Lake House with floor-to-ceiling windows is ideal for luxury self-catering accommodation. Then you have Shepherd’s Purse, in the heart of the old town in where you can find the The Dove Loft, the top floor attic room. More in budget is B&B, Hilda’s Terrace, a Georgian house that has a secret walled garden.