The popular coastal town of Whitby – North Yorkshire is situated in the Scarborough district of the North East of England. With routes as far back as medieval times, the town is loved by its locals and the hoards of visitors that it attracts. Traditionally a fishing port, the town still holds on to its past and has plenty of attractions to keep you busy and enthralled.
For those wishing to explore the 2000-year history of the town then they can climb the 199 steps up to Whitby Abbey. The abbey, now in ruins, dominating the cliff top skyline and landscape of the town, provides spectacular views of the harbor and ocean. For families this is a great area to unwind, run free and take in the tranquility of the surrounding. Northumbria’s Saxon King built the abbey in 657 AD
Around 5 miles south from Whitby is Robin Hoods Bay, going by the name of Bay Town to the locals. A traditional fishing village with a labyrinth of winding streets. These lead from the top of a cliff down to the ocean. On either side of the streets are cafes, pubs, houses and cottages amazingly perched upon the cliff. Smuggling was rife back in the day, when the Viking invaders settled, and rumor states that a series of tunnels and passageways which link many of the houses.
The Captain Cook Memorial Museum celebrates the life of the great explorer, Captain James Cook. The museum, housed in the 17th Century harborside Walker House, contains a fine collection of original exhibits about Cooks life. It was here, in 1746, that he served his apprenticeship and was the stepping-stone to his many voyages of discovery.
Whitby has long been the setting for many works of literature, most famously Bram Stoker’s, Dracula. The story mentions the town as Dracula’s arrival point in Britain and uses a number of other pieces of its folklore. The book led the way for the Dracula museum and the increasingly popular Gothic Weekends, a festival of Goths held twice a year.
For the food and drink lovers this town has everything to offer. The coastal location provides for some excellent seafood restaurants alongside many traditional inns serving up the best of the local dishes. There are also many tea houses providing the finest Yorkshire teas and pastries.
Whitby – North Yorkshire is a fascinating maritime town with quaint picturesque houses set along cobbled stone streets making it an ideal place to get away, relax and breathe the fresh coastal air.
Find your next Whitby hotel here.
categories: travel,travel and leisure
Tags: travel, travel and leisure