Whitby Tourist Traps

The car parks in whitby can be very expensive - there is more parking (from my knowledge) on the west cliff of whitby - the one of the other side to the abbey and the walk still has steps down into the town - via the whale bones but there are alot less steps than from the abbey.
However.... to avoid having a problem with the expensive parking its worth knowing that parking on the roads is free.

Fun Alternatives: Parking on the roads in the West Cliff in whitby is free and many dont realise this, there are spots which are marked from disabled people or coaches. Its all parallel parking in marked areas along the roadside if your lucky to get a space its well worth doing. Be careful to read any signs in the area where you park but most of the area is free parking and unlimited time, if there are plenty of cars nearby this is a good sign.

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There are several types of boat trip something for everyone, I saw a speedboat, a fishing boat, Replica of Capt James Cooks ship HMS Endeavor (you can get money off if you go on the yellow bus), Whitby's old lifeboat Mary Ann Hepworth, as well as leasure craft like the Esk Belle.

I went on the Whitby's old lifeboat Mary Ann Hepworth, sadly the day was clowdy but it was still worth it. there is no shelter though if the weather turns nasty.

I also went out one evening on the Esk Belle for a sunset trip which it will depend on catching the weather right but it was beautiful. There is inside accomodation if it starts to rain, a loo, and a bar.

Unique Suggestions: The sunset trip was beautiful

If you have kids then the Replica of Capt James Cooks ship HMS Endeavor is the one to choose, it is certainly more child orintated and you learn a few sea chanteys as well.

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The Esk Valley Railway rind from Whitby to Middlesbrough only 4 trains a day and at certain times of the year there are a couple of Steam trains running from Whitby to Grosmont and Glaisdale. The day I chose to go there should have been steam trains running but there was a shortage of drivers. I still went on to Grosmont to watch some steam trains, I did not have time to go on to Pickering but I watched 3 engines arive and leave including a beautiful blie one called "Sir Nigel Gresley".

There is a small cafe with seating in side and out, prices are not that cheap and the food is the usual you get in places like this nothing special, but take your drinks outside if the weather is ok and as well as watching the trains you can watch a few cheaky birds picking up crumbs and when I was there butterflies flitting between the beautifly flowers that are planted in baskets along the fence.

Unique Suggestions: Visit the steam Museum

Sit have a drink in the cafe garden and watch the birds

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If you take the road up the Khyber Pass from the lifeboat house, you head up to west cliff. It is from Westcliff Bram Stoker recieved his inspiration for the discriptions of Whitby in Dracular. From here you can see the cliffs near where the Russian schooner "Demeter" comes ashore, and the Abbey and St. Mary's churchyard where Dracula attacks Lucy.

Opposite the Royal hotel on East Terrace is the whale bone arch and the Bronze statue of Captain Cook, with amazing views over the harbour to the Abbey and St Marys Church. If you turn along North Terrace you have lovely view of the coast on your right and further up on the left is Royal Crescent where there is a lovely garden.

Best of all this is all free

Fun Alternatives: If you have kids there is the out door pool on North Terrace

This is an old fashioned museum with a bit of everything from Flints and finds from Whitby Abbey, Fossils, a pressed flower and stuffed animal collections, Captain Cook and Captain Scoresbys Collections, historical costumes, paintings ceramics and glass including items from forign parts, clocks and watches, jet jewellry and coins, toys and dolls, ships in bottles and lightbulbs and much more.

To get there from the Bus station or train station hear away from the sea along Bagdale then turn right up Chubb Hill and it's up the top on the right. If you don't fancy the walk hop on the tourist bus and ask for them to drop you off it's on the route.

Open throughout the year except for Christmas and New Year Holidays
Mondays Closed all day except Bank Holiday & Half-Term Holidays when open 9.30 am - 4.30 pm
Tuesday - Sunday 9.30 am - 4.30 pm
Last admission at 4.00 pm

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The Cook museum is in the house where James Cook lodged when he was an apprentice seaman. It is full of details about his voiges and life but for me was some how empty.

Opening Times 2006
February 18-19 and 25/26 11.00-15.00
March 11.00-15.00
April to end October 09.45-17.00
Last admission - 30 minutes before closing

Admission
Adult £3.50 Child £2.50 Family Ticket £9.50
Senior Citizen £3.00
School Group £2.00 per child (pre-booked)
Discount with both tour bus tickets and with token from Abbey

To pre-book party
Tel: 01947 601 900

Unique Suggestions: Have a look out of the windows at the lovely views and the small garden outside.

Fun Alternatives: Museum and Pannett Park Art Gallery Pannett Park I went a few years back and I found it far more interesting.

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There is one road up to the Abbey from Whitby, the car park is easy to find, alternatively you can get one of the tourist bus's up there or best of all if you are fit climb the 199 Abbey Steps the views are fantastic and worth the effort.

As part of the ticket you get an audio tour, there are numbered points with information and you press the corrosponding button on the keypad and it gives you basic information and then you choose the extra things that interest. It includes the story of an abbotess and a monk.

Unique Suggestions: Stand and look at the the wildlife, the grounds very sensatively kept so they are full of birds and insects.

Take a walk outside the Abbey, look at the market cross, the view, visit the St Marys Church and grave yard, look for the pirate graves.

If you have the energy the costal walk has an access point close by too

Fun Alternatives: Walk up the steps look at St Marys Church and grave yard and outside you can see quit alot of the abby form over the wall especially on one of the tourist bus's

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This is the church up on the hill next to the Abbey, and can be seen on the skyline from the other side of Whitby. It's free to get in although they do request a donation to help with the upkeep of the church and if you do and are a UK taxpayer please use one of the envelopes so they can reclaime the tax you payed on the donation. You can get their either up the 199 Abbey steps or if you take a trip on one of the tourist buses. The church was built at many times Has a norman tower, an 18th century interior which was the work of the ocal shipwrights and now forms the shape of a cross. Some of the box pews are still owned and used by local families.

What ever you do do not ask about dracularthey get really upset and you will get a lecture on fictional charactors

Unique Suggestions: Even if you are not interested in churches if you visit the abbey it's worth looking round

Try looking in the graveyard for the pirates graves there are a few

Look at the view over whitby and the coast ftom the grave yard

Buy a box from the church enterance the contents is a supprise and was recomended by the Guide on the Bus.