Traveling to England can be quite an experience, and while the big cities have a lot to offer, why not visit a unique town with an incredible charm like Whitby in North Yorkshire?
Discover the best things to do in Whitby, from its historic abbey to its beautiful coastal views and local delicacies.
Photo by Dave Lowe on Unsplash
While many find the name in itself a bit uninspired and plain, everyone can agree that the town is well worth the visit. This seaside town has a rich history, having passed through a lot for the last two millennia. It was a Roman settlement, a religious center during the Middle Ages, a Viking settlement later on, a fishing town, a shipbuilding center, and even a port for whaling. So there’s a lot to discover for the history enthusiasts.
It was in this lovely city that Captain James Cook first learned his trade and started his famous voyages, and even where Bram Stoker found inspiration to write his famous novel, Dracula.
If any of this has made you want to visit the town, wait a bit and keep reading to learn more about the unique things to do in Whitby.
Things to Do in Whitby: Most Unique Attractions
Climb the 199 Steps to Whitby Abbey
Possibly the most iconic site in the whole city and one of the most beautiful ones. The ruins of the Whitby Abbey are still a favorite place for visitors to explore. The Abbey was built in the very early days of Christianity and the monastery was a center of great importance until it was dissolved in the 16th century as part of the English Reformation. Since then, the building has remained the same, a fantasmagorical structure. A skeleton of stone and tall elaborated columns at the top of the hill. To get there you only have to climb the 199 steps that connect it with the town.
Interesting facts about the Abbey:
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Whitby Synod: It was there in 664 AB that it was decided to follow the Roman teaching instead of the Celtic tradition. This decision was key in the unification of the Christian Church of England.
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Haunting legends: Aside from the connection with Dracula, the ruins are also linked to some eerie traditions of the area. It is said that, at night, you can encounter various spirits wandering the ruins.
Explore the Dracula Experience
If you are enjoying the eeriness and the gothic atmosphere of the town, you can’t leave without visiting the Dracula Experience. The city has been deeply connected to the novel since Bram Stoker visited and used it as an important place in the narration. In this attraction, you’ll relive famous scenes and learn more about the real history and the myth of Dracula.
What to find in the attraction:
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Recreated scenes: Rewatch the most famous scenes, but this time in real life with talented actors, animatronics, special effects, and a magistral storyteller guiding you.
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Interactive experience: Don’t expect to just enjoy it while comfortably sitting down. You’ll have to walk from one scene to the other.
Take a Ghost Walk in Whitby
If you like hearing about the ghosts of the Abbey and want to learn more about the haunted legends of the town, this is one of the best things you can do in Whitby. As with any old place in the old country, the town is full of eerie folklore. In these tours, you’ll find many adept storytellers ready to take you through the dark streets after sunset and tell you of apparitions for an hour or two. You can book a tour with the Red Hat Ghost Walk or Ghost Walks.
Some famous ghosts you’ll likely hear during the tour:
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The ghost of the White Lady: Believe to be the remnants of Constance de Beverley, a nun who broke his vows of chastity and was bricked up alive. Legend says you can still see her white figure on clear nights and hear her weeps.
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The screaming sailor: Whitby has had its fair share of shipwrecks over the centuries, and many have died in the treacherous sea. Locals affirm that, on stormy nights, you can hear screams from the cliffs.
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The Whitby Ghost Ship Legend: Sailors have reported a mysterious and old ship without a crew that can be seen sailing silently over the misty waters.
Join the Whitby Goth Weekend
One of the most unique things to do in Whitby. If you love the gothic subculture and alternative music, don’t miss The Goth Weekend. What started as a single-day celebration in 1994 is today one of the most iconic cultural events of Whitby which attracts thousands of visitors each year.
What to expect at the festival:
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Gothic Fashion and Costumes: Goth people are one of the most creative at choosing outfits, and they do not disappoint during this festival. Enjoy the impromptu fashion show, with tons of elaborate and extravagant clothes and accessories.
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Live Music and performances: This is the best opportunity to watch live your favorite goth, punk, and alternative bands, so check the schedule of the many venues around the city.
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Goth Market and Stalls: The perfect place to find new items for your unique sense of style. It also features other merchandise like books, artworks, and vintage vinyl records.
Hunt for fossils on Whitby’s Beaches
Another of the many niche things to do in Whitby. While you take a walk on any of the local beaches, keep an eye out for some nicely preserved fossils. The town is part of the Jurassic Coast of North Yorkshire and is a great deposit of fossils from over 180 million years ago. Whitby has been a popular destination for fossil hunters since the Victorian era and there’s still much to find, so try your luck.
What fossils can you find there:
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Ammonites: Probably everyone’s first idea of a common fossil, and you will be correct. This spiral-shaped mollusk is the one you have the most probability of finding.
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Belemnites: Often known as bullet fossils these curiosities are actually the remnants of ancient squid-like creatures.
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Jet: This is one of the most famous fossils from the area. Even if it looks like a black rock, it’s actually fossilized wood. It’s popular in jewelry and you can buy it right there in Whitby.
Photo by Jane Sorensen on Unsplash
Shop for Whitby Jet Jewelry
As we said, jet is a common fossil you can find on the beaches near Whitby, and people have been using it as adornment for a really long time. Decorative beads made of this beautiful deep black gemstone have been found even in burials from the Bronze Age. So you can say it’s a timeless gem. If you want to go home with a lovely new accessory, there are plenty of stores where you can find them in the town.
Where to buy jet jewelry:
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Whitby Jet Heritage Centre: You can buy beautiful handcrafted items and even learn a lot about the material and its use in the adjacent museum.
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W. Hamond – The Original Whitby Jet Shop: This is the very first jet shop opened in Whitby and it’s still one of the most famous. Here you’ll find classic designs as well as more modern approaches.
Discover the Captain Cook Memorial Museum
One of the best things to do in Whitby for the travel enthusiast is visit the Captain Cook Memorial Museum. If you are familiar with the story of the big explorations of the 16th century, you probably are familiar with Captain Cook. He had a great tie with the city since he was an apprentice in this port before he became the legend he is today, before his big three voyages exploring and mapping many new territories overseas.
What to see in the Captain Cook Memorial Museum:
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Voyages of Discovery: Watch the very first maps humanity saw of Australia, New Zealand, and many islands in the Pacific Ocean. In this exhibit, you can also find ship models and artifacts Captain Cook found during his travels.
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Cook’s Ship, The Endeavour: The most famous of the ships he commanded, and in the museum, you can admire a scale model of this very ship.
Expert Tips for Visitors in Whitby
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Plan your visit around events: If you’re interested in the goth festival try April or October. Be mindful to plan with plenty of time since the town receives a lot of visitors during that weekend. Other fun events are the Regatta in August and the Krampus Run in December.
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Walk and explore: Whitby is not a big town, so walking is definitely your best option to get around. It’s also a great way to immerse yourself in the atmosphere and pay more attention to all the little charming shops and places you can find.
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Take some nice photos: The town and its surroundings have stunning landscapes and interesting angles you can try to photograph. Walk early to Whitby Abbey to capture the mysterious atmosphere of the skeletal ruins against the morning sky, or climb West Cliff to take a postcard view of the whole town.
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