Ebor Jetworks

Sarah Steele at The Ebor Jetworks has an academic interest in jet and currently is working on a test to identify true Whitby jet. The shop has a fascinating historical collection of jet simulants. Well worth a visit.

Pannett Park

Gifted to the people of Whitby by Quaker Robert Pannett – is a peaceful 1930s style park with steep paths and graceful lawns. Herbaceous borders follow a Gertrude Jekyll scheme. There’s a wonderful marine themed playground, a Jurassic garden, flower clock and many other well-designed features to interest you.

Captain Cook Memorial Museum

Housed in the building where Cook lodged as an apprentice, the collection focuses on the life of Captain Cook and the scientists, artists and crews who sailed with him. There are original letters about the voyages including correspondence of Cook, Lord Sandwich, Sir Joseph Banks and the Forsters, paintings and drawings by the artists who sailed with Cook as well as original maps and charts, and ship models.

Natural Wonders

Offers a good selection of fossils, both local and from around the world. The shop is owned by palaeontologist Byron Blessed, who runs exceptionally popular fossil hunting trips.

Advance booking is essential as the trips are often fully booked months in advance.

Whitby Brewery

Really delicious beer served where it is brewed in a converted barn at the back of Whitby Abbey. It’s well worth planning a walk to end here.

Whitby Bookshop

Books, gifts and cards plus a crazy creaking spiral staircase. The Whitby Bookshop is an independent bookshop has Gothic classics, a well-stocked local history section and a helpful, knowledgeable staff to hand.

Robin Hood’s Bay

We recommend the 3 hours walk along the cliff tops following the Cleveland Way to the picturesque fishing village of Robin Hood’s Bay. Wandering the huddled streets, it’s easy to imagine the days of smuggling when bootlegged gin, tea and French lace were hidden in secret tunnels and alleys.

The Arriva x93 bus service returns you to Whitby.

Sandsend

Everyone’s favourite thing to do: a walk along the sandy beach to Sandsend, a pretty village, unsurprisingly situated north of Whitby where the sands end. Mulgrave woods and its ancient castle ruins can be accessed on certain days. Excavated alum shale at Sandsend Ness on the old railway line are evidence of Sandsend’s industrial past. It’s an hour’s walk on the sands, or much longer if you dawdle looking for carnelian stones or paddle in the waves. We usually have a drink and snack at the pub and, depending on the tide, either walk back or catch the bus.

Whitby Museum and Art Gallery

Located in Pannett Park, this is the most perfect of Victorian museums. Beautiful cabinets, a smell of wax polish – a true treasure trove of local fossils, natural history, model ships, carved jet, costumes, artefacts of the whaling and ship building industries, etc.

The adjoining Art Gallery Room displays a permanent exhibition of work by the early 20th century impressionists The Staithes Group and important works by the Weatherill family of artists.

Whitby Abbey

The Gothic ruin of Whitby Abbey is one of the most iconic sights of North Yorkshire. The first monastery for men and women was founded by Abbess Hild in about 657, at that time the headland extended a further mile into the sea. There is evidence of much earlier settlement. Many of the surrounding buildings have cannibalised the Abbey stone.

Whitby Pavillion

On the West Cliff, a five-minute walk from Mount House.

Worth checking out for cinema, theatre, exhibitions and concerts -Whitby. The modern sea-buffeted entertainment complex looking out to sea is an add-on to the old Victorian theatre and central to the Goth and Steam Punk weekends, as well as many other festivals.

Saltwick Bay

Saltwick Bay feels like another world. It is a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) and a short walk along the beach or cliff top.