Spend a day enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of Whitby Harbour. Townsfolk once said that the only road into Whitby is the sea and for centuries Whitby Harbour has been the town’s beating heart. The harbor flanks both sides of the River Esk, where shipbuilders and fishermen ply their trade on the riverbanks. At the same time, locals and tourists frequent the seafood shacks, cultural and entertainment attractions.
Lighthouses stand at the end of the East and West Piers and mark the entrance to the harbor. The piers face north, making it possible to watch the both sunrise and sunset. Enjoy the views over Whitby Beach and out across the deep-blue waters of the North Sea. Climb to the lookout deck of Whitby West Pier Lighthouse for a bird’s-eye view.
Stroll along the West Side of the harbor, where amusement arcades and souvenir shops stand next to fish and chips bars and old seafarers inns. Learn about the work of volunteer lifesavers and famous rescue missions at Whitby Lifeboat Museum. Free concerts take place at the Whitby Bandstand throughout the summer months.
From the Bridge Street swing bridge you can observe the harbor’s working environment. Watch as fishermen unload their catch and see lifeboats, trawlers and yachts on the move. Schedule a pleasure cruise on historic boats such as the decommissioned lifeboat Mary Ann Hepworth and a replica of Captain Cook’s HMS Endeavour. Whale-watching tours are also possible.
Cross to the East Side and visit the Captain Cook Memorial Museum. Then follow cobblestones lanes to Tate Hill Beach. Behind here, the 199 Steps lead up to the Church of St. Mary and Whitby Abbey. Bram Stoker took inspiration from both of these landmarks for his novel Dracula.
Whitby Harbour is easy to get around on foot and is just a 5-minute walk from the town’s railway station. Come in August for the Whitby Regatta, which has rowing and yacht races, fairground rides, fireworks displays and markets.
