Whitby
is an atmospheric beach
Welcome to Whitby
Whitby is a town of two parts, with the River Esk carving a path between a huddle of 18th-century fishermen's cottages along its East Cliff and a genteel Victorian suburb atop the West Cliff. It's also a town with two personalities – on the one hand, a busy commercial and fishing port (it was here that 18th-century explorer Captain James Cook gained his seafaring legs) with a bustling quayside awash with fish; on the other, an oh-so-pretty, traditional seaside resort complete with sandy beach, amusement arcades and promenading holidaymakers.
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Whitby activities
North York Moors and Whitby Day Trip from York
Starting in the morning from York, this guided day trip provides the opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city to explore the North York Moors National Park and the fishing port of Whitby. The tour departs from opposite the Dean Court Hotel in York city centre (near York Minster) at 9.00am and heads off into the Vale of York, passing by the famous Kilburn White Horse hill figure on the boundary of the North York Moors National Park, which your guide will tell you the history of, before heading for Helmsley. The first stop is in the traditional market town of Helmsley where you can view the medieval castle, explore the quaint shops or just have a leisurely Yorkshire Brew - the choice is yours. You leave Helmsley and head off through Hutton-le-Hole and up over the North York Moors for some photo stops, passing the 16th century Lion Inn on Blakey Ridge (the highest point on the moors) and Ralph's Cross, then through the quaint and picturesque Yorkshire villages that lead down into Whitby. As you arrive in Whitby, you will hear stories about the seaside town's history and your guide will point out the main places of interest that you may want to visit. The tour stops in Whitby for more than two hours free time over lunchtime with options to view Whitby Abbey (inspiration for the Dracula books), visit the Captain Cook Museum, shop for some Whitby Jet or Gothic fashion, sample the famous Fish 'n' Chips at the Magpie Cafe or just enjoy the beach and waterfront - the choice is yours! If you prefer to spend a little less time in Whitby and take the opportunity of travelling by steam train on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway at our special discounted rate (Adult £10/Child £5), you have the option of boarding the 2.00pm train from Whitby for the 45-minute moorland rail journey through Grosmont to Goathland (Hogsmeade Station in the Harry Potter movies) where you will be met by the guide. (This option is available mid-March through to October and is paid locally on the day with no need to book ahead). The Minicoach leaves Whitby at 2.15pm with passengers not taking the train option for the equally scenic road journey to Goathland and aims to reach Goathland Station in time to see the other passengers arrive by steam train. You will then have about 45 minutes in Goathland to learn about "Hogsmeade" Station and explore the fictional village of "Aidensfield" in the Heartbeat TV series. After leaving Goathland, there will be a couple more photo stops as you learn the history behind the mysterious RAF Fylingdales Pyramid on Snod Hill and see the Hole of Horcum, before heading back towards York through the Howardian Hills with panoramic views of Castle Howard. You will arrive back at the meeting point in York at around 5:15pm but should not book onward travel too close to the arrival time just in case of traffic problems.
North York Moors and Whitby Tour from York with Steam Train
You'll meet your guide at 8:45am in the heart of York, close to York Minster, and hop into your climate-controlled minivan for the day's excursion across the North Yorkshire countryside. First, drive 45 minutes or so to the historic market town of Helmsley on the edge of the Moors. Explore the charming town, its pretty church and interesting streets, before the tour continues into the moors. Admire the rugged, windswept landscapes as you climb to the stone village of Hutton-le-Hole, where sheep graze freely on the common land. At the North York Moors National Park, your guide will explain the geological and natural processes that shaped this striking landscape. Discover the region's mining and farming heritage and ancient history as you stroll across the heather. It's just a short hop to North Yorkshire's striking coastline and the seaside town of Whitby, where you'll have at least two hours at leisure to explore at your own pace, and perhaps enjoy a fish-and-chips lunch. You may just wish to wander the picturesque harbor, explore the cobbled streets, historic cottages, and beautiful beach, or shop for Whitby jet. Or you can discover Whitby's connection to Australia at the Captain Cook Memorial Museum, delve deep into the world of Dracula at St. Mary's Church or the Dracula Experience Museum, or take a boat cruise from the harbor to discover the coastline (own expense). From Whitby, it's back in the van to journey up through Sleights and onto the village of Goathland, nestled at the bottom of a wide valley surrounded by the heather-clad hills of the North York Moors. Fans of Heartbeat, the long-running ITV drama series, will recognize this as Aidensfield: you'll have chance to visit the Aidensfield Arms, pop into Aidensfield Stores and Post Office, and see what's happening at Scripps Garage. Love Harry Potter? Don't miss the chance to capture pictures at Goathland station, which did duty as Hogsmeade Station for the filming of the Harry Potter movies. After you've explored the station, it's time to board a steam train for a nostalgic steam-hauled journey across the Moors (own expense). Snake through valleys and heathland for 18 miles (29 kilometers) in restored heritage carriages to the medieval market town of Pickering. Here you'll rejoin the minibus for the 40-minute journey back to York, arriving around 5:45pm.
York to North Yorkshire Moors and Whitby Full-Day Tour
Highlights The famous landscape of the North York Moors Whitby Port & Whitby Abbey Stop in Pickering to explore the oldest wall paintings in a church Visit the market town of Helmsley. We leave York heading east to the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors. Our first stop is the quaint town of Pickering. Here you can explore the historic Church of St Peter and St Paul and discover the amazing medieval murals adorning the Nave of the Church. Pickering is the southern terminus of the North York Moors Railway, England’s busiest heritage line where you might find a steam train waiting in the station. From here we head into the moorland landscape forged by nature and shaped by humans. We make a brief stop for photos at the famed Hole of Horcum, Legend has it was formed by Wade the Giant following an argument with his wife Bell. We continue on to the famed village of Goathland. A typical moorland village where sheep graze openly on the village green. Its fame originally linked the popular TV show heartbeat before its train station was used as the location for “Hogsmeade station” in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone film. A short drive brings us the rugged coast North Yorkshire Coast line and the historic Town of Whitby. This old port was once famous for fishing and Whaling where Captain Cook set sail from to discover Australia. Here you will have 2 hours to explore the famous Abbey linked to Bram Stokers Dracula and have lunch in one of the towns many fish and chip shops. Discover the towns interesting independent shops including the famous Jet Jewellery stores where you might catch a jewellery making in action. After we leave Whitby we traverse the entire width of the park. There will be plenty of photo stops along the way as we discover why this landscape was designated a national park. High heather moorland is interspersed with deep cut valleys carved out during the Ice ages thousands of years ago, standing stones, burial mounds and stone crosses erected by the people of the moors over thousands of years. We end the day with a relaxing stop in Helmsley. This bustling little town is built around the only medieval market place in the North York Moors. It is dominated by the ruins of a Norman castle dating back to the 12th century. There are many independent shops and your last chance to souvenir before heading back to York
Private North York Moors and Whitby Tour from York
You will be picked up at 9.00am from your choice of location in York for this guided day trip to explore the scenic and picturesque North York Moors National Park & the seaside town of Whitby. You will have a comfortable minicoach with air-conditioning and a driver/guide exclusively for your group. You will head off into the Vale of York, passing by the famous Kilburn White Horse hill figure on the boundary of the North York Moors National Park, before stopping in the picturesque market town of Helmsley for 30 minutes where you can view the medieval castle, explore the quaint shops or just have a leisurely Yorkshire Brew in one of the cafes - the choice is yours! You leave Helmsley and head up over the North York Moors for some photo stops, passing the 16th century Lion Inn on Blakey Ridge (the highest point on the moors) and Ralph's Cross, then through the quaint and picturesque Yorkshire villages that lead down into Whitby. As you arrive in Whitby, you will hear stories about the seaside town's history and your guide will tell you about the main places of interest that you may want to visit. You will have two hours free time in Whitby to view Whitby Abbey (inspiration for the Dracula books), visit the Captain Cook Museum, enjoy the beach, waterfront and fishing port, shop for some Whitby Jet or Gothic fashion or just sample the famous Fish 'n' Chips at the Magpie Cafe - the choice is yours! From Whitby, you can either continue the tour by road in the minicoach or, if you prefer, some or all of your group can spend a little less time in Whitby and take the optional 45-minute moorland steam train journey from Whitby to Goathland on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. This option is paid locally on the day at a discounted rate and there is no need to book ahead, your guide will advise you how to purchase tickets and meet you off the train at Goathland Station ("Hogsmeade" in the Harry Potter movies). On arrival in Goathland, by whichever means you choose, you will see the Station where Hogsmeade was filmed, then explore the picture-postcard village itself to see the filming locations that were used for "Aidensfield" in the Heartbeat television series. After leaving Goathland, you will have a couple more photo stops as you learn the history behind the mysterious RAF Fylingdales Pyramid on Snod Hill and see the Hole of Horcum, before heading back towards York through the Howardian Hills with panoramic views of Castle Howard. You will arrive back in York at approximately 5.15pm but should not book onward travel too close to the arrival time just in case of traffic problems.
Whitby - Goathland and the North York Moors from York
This exclusive small-group tour has only 8 passengers per group, so you'll be guaranteed a truly personalised tour of Yorkshire with a native, born and bred Yorkshireman. You'll meet your Yorkshire guide at 8:45am in the heart of York, close to York Minster, and hop into your climate-controlled minivan for the day's excursion across the North Yorkshire countryside. The tour begins with a drive to the market town of Helmsley, pausing on the way to admire the ruins of Byland Abbey. In Helmsley you can enjoy 45 minutes to explore at leisure, taking the chance to wander through the charming streets or to enjoy tea or coffee in a local cafe or tearoom. The tour then continues up to the idyllic stone village of Hutton-le-Hole, where you'll have time for a short stroll across the village before travelling through the heart of the North York Moors National Park, learning about the amazing history, wildlife and culture of the region and enjoying a scenic photo stop along the way.Your destination on the far side of the Moors is the seaside town of Whitby, where you'll have two hours at leisure to explore at your own pace. You can discover the famous cliff-top Abbey, enjoy a fish-and-chips lunch, explore the cobbled streets, historic cottages, and beautiful beach, or shop for Whitby jet. From Whitby, you'll return through the North York Moors as you travel through Sleights and onto the village of Goathland, nestled at the bottom of a wide valley surrounded by the heather-clad hills of the North York Moors. Fans of Heartbeat, the long-running ITV drama series, will recognize this as Aidensfield: you'll have chance to visit the Aidensfield Arms, pop into Aidensfield Stores and Post Office, and see what's happening at Scripps Garage. Love Harry Potter? Don't miss the chance to capture pictures at Goathland station, which did duty as Hogsmeade Station for the filming of the Harry Potter movies. The return journey to York offers the chance to see the ancient wall paintings in Pickering's Church of St Peter & St Paul. The tour concludes back in York city centre, in time to attend Evensong at York Minster.
An Afternoon & Evening in the Moors
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Sutton Bank National Park Centre, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, EnglandA short stop here to take in "the finest view in England"Duration: 10 minutesStop At: Rievaulx Abbey, Helmsley, North Yorkshire, EnglandPhoto stop in Rievaulx to take in views of Rievaulx Abbey. Option to extend this visit at the abbey (entrance payable locally).Duration: 45 minutesStop At: North York Moors National ParkScenic drive through the North York Moors, with photo stops in Hutton le Hole, Rosedale and Ralph's CrossDuration: 1 hourStop At: Staithes Beach, Staithes, North York Moors National Park, North Yorkshire, EnglandExplore the fishing village of Staithes on the Yorkshire coastDuration: 30 minutesStop At: Whitby Harbour, Whitby, Scarborough District, North Yorkshire, EnglandDiscover the fishing town of Whitby, home to Whitby Abbey, a beautiful Old Town, Captain Cook, Dracula and the world's most famous fish and chip restaurant - The Magpie Cafe.Duration: 1 hour 30 minutesStop At: The Hole of Horcum, North York Moors National Park, North Yorkshire, EnglandPhoto stop at the impressive viewing point, also known as 'Giant's Fury'.Duration: 5 minutesStop At: Goathland Station, Goathland, North York Moors National Park, North Yorkshire, EnglandDrive through the village of Goathland, with photo opportunity at Goathland Station - also known as 'Hogsmeade' to Harry Potter fans. Duration: 15 minutes