Whitby’s abbey, harbour history and coastline offer different ways to explore the town. The ruins of Whitby Abbey stand atop a cliff above the historic fishing harbour; museums add further highlights, from Cook’s apprenticeship to the history of lifeboats. When planning a stay, you can choose between cultural sites, coastal paths and trips. For offers with a timetable, season or tide restrictions, be sure to take the relevant conditions into account when making your choice.
Abbey, Churches and Museums
Whitby Abbey was first founded around 657 by King Oswy of Northumbria. The Synod of Whitby was also held at the abbey in the 7th century. The visitor centre is housed in a 17th-century manor house; the abbey museum tells the abbey’s 3,000-year history. Here, you can encounter both the story of its early foundation and a museum visit devoted specifically to its long history.
St Mary’s Church is a Grade I listed building. The Church Stairs lead up to Whitby’s parish church via 199 stone steps. Those interested in the town’s maritime heritage will find further points of interest in its museums: Captain Cook Museum Whitby is housed in the 17th-century home where Cook lived as an apprentice when he was not at sea.
Whitby Museum is in Pannett Park. Its collections show life in Whitby from the Jurassic period to the present day; a large section is devoted to the harbour, ships, shipbuilders and sailors. The Whitby Lifeboat Museum offers a closer look at the history of lifeboats. It is housed in a Victorian double boathouse and displays the RNLB Robert & Ellen Robson lifeboat, built in 1918. Pannett Art Gallery holds exhibitions every year, including work by local art societies and artists’ groups. The programme may change; if a particular exhibition is important to you, check the current dates.
Coast and Paths Around Whitby
Whitby Beach is a sandy and rocky beach backed by high cliffs. The geology of the coast is also a point of interest: jet, the fossilised remains of the prehistoric monkey puzzle tree, is found off Whitby. The landscape can also be experienced on the move along the beach: at low tide, you can walk between Whitby and Sandsend. Take the tides into account and check the tide times before setting out on this beach route.
For cliff walks, the Cleveland Way National Trail runs south from Whitby to Robin Hood’s Bay. The Moor to Sea Cycle Network, by contrast, is an extensive off-road cycling route connecting Danby with Whitby. Another option is the Cinder Track: this 21.5-mile route runs between Whitby and Scarborough along a disused railway line and can be used by several types of user. The routes therefore differ in activity, course and length. Before your trip, check the condition and accessibility of the Cinder Track.
Trips and Seasonal Offers
The North Yorkshire Moors Railway runs historic steam and diesel trains from Whitby to Pickering. As timetables may change, it is a good idea to check the service for your intended travel day. Whitby Coastal Cruises offers 20-minute boat trips at sea from Whitby; the service may vary seasonally. So if you are planning a trip, check the dates in advance.
The local attractions offer different highlights to guide your choice: the abbey and museums explore cultural and harbour history, while the beach and coastal paths focus on the landscape and geology. There are also walking and cycling routes, as well as train and boat trips. You can tailor your stay to whichever of these Whitby experiences matters most to you.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Knaresborough, Hellifield, Lealholm, Dalton, Austwick, Sutton-on-the-Forest, East Harlsey, Ripley.
For the broader travel overview: North Yorkshire.
