Whitby - home of Captain Cook, Dracula, and the fabulous Abbey
Whitby is a small town of about 16,000 people situated on the northeast coast of England in the county of North Yorkshire, approximately 30 miles from Hunmanby, 50 miles northeast of York and 17 miles north of Scarborough. It recently won the coveted title of Britain’s best seaside town.
It is surrounded by the North York Moors National Park - heather covered moorlands and green valleys. The River Esk runs from the moors along Eskdale and through Whitby to the North Sea. The old port town is clustered on the east side of the harbour at the mouth of the river and beneath the cliffs. Opposite the old town, on the West Cliff, is the later seaside resort developed in Victorian times.
Apart from its beach, museums, craft shops and tea rooms, many people visit Whitby for its literary and television associations. Bram Stoker based part of his novel "Dracula" in Whitby and mentions St Mary's church and the 199 steps - both on the east side of Whitby. Lewis Carroll, author of "Alice in Wonderland", was supposedly inspired to write his poem "The Walrus and the Carpenter" by his walks along Whitby beach. In the 19th century, local photographer Frank Meadows Sutcliffe took many pictures of the town, its inhabitants and the surrounding area. These can be viewed, and prints purchased, in the Sutcliffe Gallery. More recently the town of Whitby, the surrounding villages and countryside were the setting for a major television series "Heartbeat".
Whitby has many pubs, tea shops, cafes and restaurants all with a charm of their own. Among the best known are the Magpie Cafe, famous for fish & chips, Duke of York pub at the foot of the 199 steps on the East Side which serves a selection of beers and bar meals, Botham's bakery and tea rooms - on Baxtergate and Skinner Street on the west side of the river, and the Walrus and the Carpenter restaurant and café on the Market Place.
It is surrounded by the North York Moors National Park - heather covered moorlands and green valleys. The River Esk runs from the moors along Eskdale and through Whitby to the North Sea. The old port town is clustered on the east side of the harbour at the mouth of the river and beneath the cliffs. Opposite the old town, on the West Cliff, is the later seaside resort developed in Victorian times.
Apart from its beach, museums, craft shops and tea rooms, many people visit Whitby for its literary and television associations. Bram Stoker based part of his novel "Dracula" in Whitby and mentions St Mary's church and the 199 steps - both on the east side of Whitby. Lewis Carroll, author of "Alice in Wonderland", was supposedly inspired to write his poem "The Walrus and the Carpenter" by his walks along Whitby beach. In the 19th century, local photographer Frank Meadows Sutcliffe took many pictures of the town, its inhabitants and the surrounding area. These can be viewed, and prints purchased, in the Sutcliffe Gallery. More recently the town of Whitby, the surrounding villages and countryside were the setting for a major television series "Heartbeat".
Whitby has many pubs, tea shops, cafes and restaurants all with a charm of their own. Among the best known are the Magpie Cafe, famous for fish & chips, Duke of York pub at the foot of the 199 steps on the East Side which serves a selection of beers and bar meals, Botham's bakery and tea rooms - on Baxtergate and Skinner Street on the west side of the river, and the Walrus and the Carpenter restaurant and café on the Market Place.
Scarborough - 'Britain's first seaside resort', sweeping bays, castle and harbour
Scarborough, Britain’s first seaside resort has been welcoming visitors for over 360 years and is still as popular as ever. The safe, sandy beaches of the North and South Bays are broken by a rocky headland on which stands a reminder of the past - Scarborough's ancient castle. The resort offers first class attractions such as the award winning Sea Life Marine Sanctuary and Scarborough Art Gallery.
The many festivals, including Seafest, Jazz, Bike week, Scarborough Cricket festival, provide you with all year-round events. By night you will be spoilt for choice with four fantastic theatres, each offering something different. One of the most famous is the Stephen Joseph Theatre, home of playwright Sir Alan Ayckbourn. Music lovers can visit the Spa complex, home of the only remaining seaside orchestra, or Peasholm Park, which offers open air concerts and a variety of family entertainments. Scarborough also boasts two casinos to help you blow all your holiday money in one go, and a surprising number of live music venues.
Scarborough for kids
Best for kids is the beach and the castle. Both the South and North bays have clean sands and water and at low tide become an excellent place to spend a few hours exploring rock pools. Our favourite beach location is at the Spa end of the South Bay where our kids build sandcastles and dams, catch crabs (on fishing lines with bacon) and hone their body surfing skills along with other children and a smattering of geriatric surfers at high tide.
The castle is a large site with commanding views of both bays, the town and far out to sea - there are often events on. There is much talk of a multiplex cinema in Scarborough but as yet the only screens are the Hollywood Plaza and the cinema at the Stephen Joseph Theatre There is however an excellent family-run independent cinema in Malton. Another rainy day option is the Ten Pin Bowling Alley in the Olympia Leisure Complex on the seafront. On the top floor of this giant amusement arcade, it has a large terrace overlooking the beach.
The many festivals, including Seafest, Jazz, Bike week, Scarborough Cricket festival, provide you with all year-round events. By night you will be spoilt for choice with four fantastic theatres, each offering something different. One of the most famous is the Stephen Joseph Theatre, home of playwright Sir Alan Ayckbourn. Music lovers can visit the Spa complex, home of the only remaining seaside orchestra, or Peasholm Park, which offers open air concerts and a variety of family entertainments. Scarborough also boasts two casinos to help you blow all your holiday money in one go, and a surprising number of live music venues.
Scarborough for kids
Best for kids is the beach and the castle. Both the South and North bays have clean sands and water and at low tide become an excellent place to spend a few hours exploring rock pools. Our favourite beach location is at the Spa end of the South Bay where our kids build sandcastles and dams, catch crabs (on fishing lines with bacon) and hone their body surfing skills along with other children and a smattering of geriatric surfers at high tide.
The castle is a large site with commanding views of both bays, the town and far out to sea - there are often events on. There is much talk of a multiplex cinema in Scarborough but as yet the only screens are the Hollywood Plaza and the cinema at the Stephen Joseph Theatre There is however an excellent family-run independent cinema in Malton. Another rainy day option is the Ten Pin Bowling Alley in the Olympia Leisure Complex on the seafront. On the top floor of this giant amusement arcade, it has a large terrace overlooking the beach.
Filey - majestic bay, golden sands, lovely seaside town
Filey is a traditional English seaside resort with a friendly atmosphere. It is a short drive from South Wing. For those wanting to combine a visit to Filey with some exercise it is an easy walk from Hunmanby Gap beach, just turn left when you get on to the sands. At low tide it is possible to walk right out to the end of Filey Brigg, a narrow peninsular, but do keep an eye on the time and tide as it is easy to get cut off and walking back in wet clothes is not such fun. Good spot for fishing and fossicking or simply enjoying the views.
There is a country park on the area above the Brigg and this also marks the start/end of the Cleveland Way which is a fantastic coastal path that heads north for 110 miles to Helmsley. If you are feeling adventurous and fancy a bracing walk it’s a great way to get to Scarborough.
Filey is an interesting snapshot of times gone by with lots of independent shops, a beautiful beach, and some family attractions for young children including a boating pond, trampolines, and mini golf. At the northern end of the promenade is the Cobble Landing, a cobbled area with a number of cafes and ice cream shops, and from where a small number of fishing boats are still launched at high tide.
There is a country park on the area above the Brigg and this also marks the start/end of the Cleveland Way which is a fantastic coastal path that heads north for 110 miles to Helmsley. If you are feeling adventurous and fancy a bracing walk it’s a great way to get to Scarborough.
Filey is an interesting snapshot of times gone by with lots of independent shops, a beautiful beach, and some family attractions for young children including a boating pond, trampolines, and mini golf. At the northern end of the promenade is the Cobble Landing, a cobbled area with a number of cafes and ice cream shops, and from where a small number of fishing boats are still launched at high tide.
Flamborough - imposing headland, two lighthouses, caves and beaches.
Another gem that is close by, Flamborough is a peninsular and is situated on the East Coast of England and stretches into the North Sea by about 4 miles. It is bounded on the North and East by spectacular steep chalk cliffs and home to many species of sea birds. On the South side the cliffs are not so steep, the Western or landward side is a natural wooded ravine stretching from North to South and is full of wild plant life, nesting and migrating birds. It is believed that the ravine was further excavated by Danish settlers who were intent on making Flamborough into an island.
The Flamborough Head coastline is quickly becoming a favourite UK travel destination for landscape photographers, wildlife enthusiasts, hikers, or for family getaways. This stunning stretch of Yorkshire coastline boasts some of the most unique seascapes found anywhere in England
This is a great area for walking, bird watching, fishing, and for the adventurous (or simply insane) a spot of coasterring. There are also a range of caves that are perfect for exploring at low tide – do check tide times before you set out.
The Flamborough Head coastline is quickly becoming a favourite UK travel destination for landscape photographers, wildlife enthusiasts, hikers, or for family getaways. This stunning stretch of Yorkshire coastline boasts some of the most unique seascapes found anywhere in England
This is a great area for walking, bird watching, fishing, and for the adventurous (or simply insane) a spot of coasterring. There are also a range of caves that are perfect for exploring at low tide – do check tide times before you set out.
Bempton - wonderful RSPB nature reserve, see puffins, gannets and more
Bempton is home to a lovely RSPB nature reserve and one of the most important sites in the country for breeding seabirds. The viewing points along the cliff path offer dramatic views (and smells) of more than 200,000 birds – among them kittiwakes, gannets, fulmars and razorbills. All of which you’ll be able to identify after your visit. The highlight for many are the distinctive Atlantic Puffins that visit here in May and June. Entry is free to RSPB members, otherwise it costs per car.
Malton - food capital of Yorkshire, lovely cinema, quirky pubs and shops
A town of markets and makers, Malton is an award winning food town just 30 minutes drive from South Wing. This beautiful spot is packed with eateries, pubs and shops that make it well worth a visit. The Palace Cinema is cosy, family run and bang up to date with the latest films and old favourites. You could combine a visit here with trips to nearby Eden Camp and Flamingo Land and we have more details on local attractions here
