Over two million people visit Whitby, on the North Yorkshire coast, every year – and it isn’t hard to see why.
Beyond the sweeping vistas of the North York Moors lies a gem of a town, where traditional cottages, shops and inns cluster around the harbour, once the busiest in England with sailing ships built and maintained here. Whitby’s Abbey ruins stand high above the town, reached by climbing the famous 199 steps – worth it for the view!
This was also the location that inspired author Bram Stoker to create his darkest and most famous character – Dracula. Facing the Harbour on Marine Parade you’llfind The Dracula Experience, offering a fun yet spine-chilling journey into the dramatic history of the Transylvanian Count.
Shopping in Whitby will take you back to the days of smaller, locally owned retailers alongside the more familiar names – look out for handcrafted Whitby Jet jewellery, hand crafted from gemstones recovered from the local coastline.
Feeling hungry? No visit to Whitby is complete without sampling the town’s famous fish and chips, served all day in cafés and takeaways across the resort. Or cross the Swing Bridge and head for Henrietta Street to Fortune’s – if you don’t see them, you’ll certainly smell them! Whitby’s only traditional smokehouse was founded in 1872 and is still smoking and airing kippers in the same way over 150 years later.
TV star and author Jeremy Clarkson summed up the town’s unique appeal when he once remarked: “It doesn’t matter where you travel in the world, you will never say ‘this place is just like Whitby’.
Travel to Whitby over the stunning North York Moors on Britain’s Most Scenic Bus Route, Coastliner 840 from Leeds, Tadcaster, York, Malton and Pickering. Pick up a Transdev Treats voucher from your driver for 10 percent off admission to Whitby Abbey.