Whitby: Abbey, Harbour and Coast

The ruins of Whitby Abbey stand atop a cliff overlooking Whitby’s historic fishing harbour. Along the coast below, sandy and rocky stretches of beach meet towering cliffs; churches and museums in the town tell stories of Whitby’s past. Various routes also lead onwards from here on foot and by bike. When planning your trip, it’s worth deciding first whether you’d most like to explore history, coastal paths or excursions on the water. This will make it easier to find a holiday apartment that suits the kind of stay you want in Whitby.

Abbey, Church and Whitby’s History

The history of Whitby Abbey dates back to the early days of Christianity in Northumbria: King Oswy founded the abbey around 657. The Synod of Whitby was also held there in the 7th century. The visitor centre is housed in a 17th-century manor house; the museum tells the 3,000-year history of the abbey. These places offer different perspectives on the same historic site, from its early events to the later complex, whose ruins now overlook the harbour.

St Mary’s Church is another striking part of historic Whitby. The listed building is Grade I. The Church Stairs lead up to the parish church via 199 stone steps. If you’re interested in the town’s maritime history, the Whitby Lifeboat Museum offers another subject to explore: it is housed in a Victorian double boathouse and is devoted to Whitby’s lifeboat history. The museum includes the lifeboat RNLB Robert & Ellen Robson, built in 1918.

The Captain Cook Museum is located in the 17th-century house where Cook lived as an apprentice when he wasn’t at sea. At the Whitby Museum in Pannett Park, you can look even further back: its collections showcase Whitby’s history from the Jurassic period to the present day. A large section is dedicated to the harbour, ships, shipbuilders and seafarers. Together, the museums cover a range of themes, so you don’t have to reduce Whitby’s past to a single era.

Coastal Paths, Beach and Cycling Routes

The Cleveland Way National Trail follows the clifftops south from Whitby to Robin Hood’s Bay. The Cinder Track offers a different route: this 21.5-mile multi-use trail runs between Whitby and Scarborough along a disused railway line. Check route conditions and accessibility before setting out. For longer rides, the Moor to Sea Cycle Network offers an extensive off-road route connecting Danby and Whitby.

Tides also matter along the coast. At low tide, you can walk along the beach between Whitby and Sandsend; check the tide before setting off. The Whitby Trail – Fish, Fangs and Fossils starts at the Whalebone Arch and ends at the Church of St Mary. As information about this named trail may change, check the destination’s website before your walk. The coast off Whitby is also a source of jet, a material made from the fossilised remains of the ancient monkey puzzle tree.

Whitby Beach is sandy and rocky, with high cliffs rising behind it. When seasonal safety conditions allow, Whitby Beach offers safe, clean waters for swimming; check conditions locally. Whitby Coastal Cruises offers 20-minute boat trips at sea from Whitby. As trips may vary seasonally, check the details when planning. A beach walk, coastal hike and boat trip each offer a different focus for a day by the sea.

Art, Railways and More to Explore

The Pannett Art Gallery holds exhibitions every year, including work by local art societies and artists’ groups. If you’d like an exhibition to be a highlight of your stay, check the current programme. The North Yorkshire Moors Railway runs historic steam and diesel train services from Whitby to Pickering; as timetables may change, check the services in advance. Whitby Distillery offers a behind-the-scenes tour. Check the visitor information before planning your visit.

Use these experiences as a starting point when looking for a holiday apartment: would you like to focus your stay on museums and historic sites, or are coastal paths and activities by the sea more important? Whitby’s history, landscape and varied routes offer several possible focuses. Choose based on what you actually want to do, and plan time-dependent activities such as train services, boat trips and the beach walk at low tide accordingly.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Long Preston, Great Edstone, Whenby, Embsay, Battersby, Scotch Corner, Dalton, Rillington.

Return to the main travel overview: North Yorkshire.