FREE GUIDEBOOK 19th edition Gateway to the North York Moors National Park & Heritage Coast Ravenscar • Robin Hood’s Bay • Runswick Bay • Staithes Esk Valley • Captain Cook Country • Heartbeat Country Whitby & District Tourism Association www.visitwhitby.com A warm welcome to Whitby This is probably the most difficult message I have had to write for the many annual Whitby Guidebooks that the Escape Rooms with WDTA have published. The ongoing uncertainty regarding coronavirus and travel this 2021 season leaves all of us, a Whitby Twist guests and hosts, in a most unusual situation. Our many small, independent businesses depend on you, our visitors, NLY O but at the same time, we must all follow government 21 0 2 guidelines to keep all of us safe and healthy. Two immersive R O F rooms to choose The WDTA hopes that the virus is soon brought under W E from N sufficient control so that you can visit our lovely historic port and area, and we would ask you to respect the safety of our residents, whose home Whitby is. In the meantime, many of our shops offer online buying facilities for the unique items that can be bought in the Whitby area. Please Choose Follow your team the clues Escape! support these wherever possible. 2-6 We hope to see you safely in 2021. 60 Solve the Work minutes puzzles together John Freeman Chairman of WDTA (an independent self-financing body) You can now hire our bespoke 60 minute 1-4 At the time of uploading this guidebook, WDTA would like to acknowledge mystery experience players the valued support of the following in the production of this guidebook: to play at home Whitby Town Council, Scarborough Borough Council, all editorial and pictorial contributions, and our advertisers’ vital contributions. Photographic Credits: North York Moors National Park Authority (NYMNPA), Chris J Parker, Tony Bartholomew, Mike Kipling, Richard Fox, Ebor Images, North Check out our website where you can fi nd out about Yorkshire Moors Railway, Whitby Museum, Esk Valley Railway, John Freeman, online escape games. Alan Wastell, Visit Britain (Sam Barker), Dan Prince, Emma Stothard, Visit Britain, Welcome to Yorkshire, Craig McGarvey and Michael Hill. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this St Hilda’s Business Centre, The Ropery, Whitby YO22 4ET publication. WDTA cannot accept liability for any loss caused by errors in the information. Designed and produced by Bow House Digital Ltd, 07480 117323 01947 821333 3 Chapel Court, Chapel Street, Easingwold, York YO61 3AE Tel: 01347 821928 [email protected] [email protected] www.bowhouse.co.uk visitwhitby.com | 2 www.eskapewhitby.co.uk Get your 'Lucky Duck' at WHITBY GLASS STUDIOS 63 years of amazing success 9 Sandgate, Whitby Tel: 01947 603 553 Beswick, Disney, Steiff Teddy Bears, Porcelain Miniature Animals, Marbles and Village Candles Choose your Lucky Duck by the colour of your gemstone: “From beach to bench” Jan: Garnet Feb: Amethyst Mar: Aqua-Marine Apr: Crystal May: Emerald Jun: Agate Jul: Ruby Aug: Peridot Ethically sourced, Sept: Sapphire Oct: Opal Nov: Topaz Dec: Turquoise www.whitbyluckyducks.com certifi ed Whitby Jet email: [email protected] All our jewellery is handmade in our C17th premises in Whitby’s Historic Eastside from the nest quality, locally collected Whitby Jet. As Whitby’s only accredited gemmologist and Moon & Balloon post-graduate researcher based at Durham University, Sarah’s research is challenging not only our perceptions of Whitby Jet as a gemstone, but also as a material of signi cant cultural importance to the community that works it as a way of life, an occupation with a 5500 year British legacy. SHOP NOW VISIT US Like us on ­ Daily jet working demonstrations at Facebook The Ebor Jetworks Whitby cured kippers obtainable here only 22 Henrietta Street Whitby 01947 601659 Fortunes have been producing kippers on the same premises on Henrietta Street for over 140 years. Five generations of the family have Monday - Saturday 138 CHURCH STREET, WHITBY YO22 4DE cured kippers and can still be seen 9.00 am - 3.00 pm TEL: 01947 603113 today using unchanged methods Sunday [email protected] to produce their traditional smoked 10.00 am - 2.00 pm kippers, smoked salmon, haddock (shop will close early on days WWW.EBORJETWORKS.CO.UK and kipper paté. when we sell out of kippers) 3 | visitwhitby.com visitwhitby.com | 4 Explore Whitby Town CLARKES of WHITBY and Harbour The harbour and the town combine to create one of those memorable locations. The harbour, facing due north, is the place where the River Esk joins the North Sea. It divides the town East and West, the East side historically was Clarkes of Whitby is one of the oldest the ‘poor’ side with fishermen’s cottages, jet workers and the like. shops in the Georgian Skinner Street. Offering a great range of fi ne wines, The West side had the grander homes of ship owners and sea liqueurs, excellent local beers, tobacco, groceries, provisions and captains. much more. Come and visit us. The harbour piers with their lighthouses of differing sizes, rather 30-32 Skinner St. Open 7 days a week Town Centre echo the rich and poor sides of the town! Whitby YO21 3AJ 01947 605028 The church stairs (originally wooden) are now known as the 199 steps and lead up to the fascinating parish church of St Mary and the magnificent ruins of Whitby Abbey. Beware, the donkey path below the steps still features on your sat nav - don’t try it! The West Cliff has an oasis of calm (apart from the children’s playground) in Pannett Park Museum and Art Gallery. See p15-16. Fact... The Swing Bridge was built by the same firm that built Blackpool Tower. Please do not be tempted to feed the seagulls. They can and will snatch from your hand! Their 3” beaks are dangerous! 5 | visitwhitby.com visitwhitby.com | 6 Great range of activities to enjoy… 25m 4-lane Swimming Pool + adjoining learner pool (great for family swim) 45 station Gym with state-of-the-art Techno-Gym equipment + much more Whitby Leisure Centre, West Cli, Whitby, YO21 3HT 01947 604640 [email protected] COASTAL FISHER Part of the “Yellow Boats” • 2-3 hour fi shing trips Rods and tackle provided on board Find us at the Brewery Steps, Whitby YO21 3PW Email: [email protected] Tel: 07981 712419 www.whitbycoastalfi shing.co.uk • Enjoy magni cent seascapes and experience the narrow winding streets • A fantastic birds-eye view of the beautiful seaside town of Whitby from an open top double decker bus • Tickets valid for 24 hours; get on and o as many times as you wish • Fully guided tour 1 • /2 hourly service, 7 days a week • Easy access, simply pay the driver when you board or purchase your For more information see our ticket at the Tourist Information timetable Centre on Langbourne Road or the reception at The Royal Hotel Tel 01947 602922 www.coastalandcountry.co.uk 7 | visitwhitby.com visitwhitby.com | 8 The Black Pearl Authentic Whitby Jet Jewellery A family-run business with over 30 years’ experience in hand-crafting Whitby Jet jewellery. Our Jet Jewellery Shop is located in the heart of Whitby’s old town, on the famous cobbled Church Street which runs from the 199 steps leading down from the Abbey and St. Mary’s Church. Visitors are greeted with a warm welcome and on most days you can watch us create our unusual, stylish pieces. We’re proud to say we only use the fi nest quality locally sourced Whitby Jet to create our beautiful and often unique pieces of jewellery, all set in Sterling Silver. Whitby Jet - a little piece of Yorkshire. See our friendly dog, Freddie watching the world go by! 154 Church Street, Whitby YO22 4BH Tel: 01947 821789 www.blackpearlwhitby.com Follow us on Facebook and Instagram 9 | visitwhitby.com visitwhitby.com | 10 Genuine Whitby Jet Hand cra ed jewellery and gurines made from the best quality local Whitby jet We have a family history of creating Whitby jet jewellery since the Victorian era 105 Church Street Whitby North Yorkshire YO22 4DE T: 01947 825573 E: [email protected] 11 | visitwhitby.com visitwhitby.com | 12 SINK YOUR TEETH INTO A GREAT DAY OUT Uncover centuries of stories and explore the gothic ruins that inspired ‘Dracula’. Whitby, North Yorkshire YO22 4JT 13 | visitwhitby.com visitwhitby.com | 14 The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a company, no. 07447221, registered in England. 6274 Whitby Site Creative 210x99mm.indd 1 27/11/2019 10:35 Artists, Galleries & Museums Pannett Park Whitby Museum Pannett Park Whitby Museum The award winning Pannett Park is on the edge of Whitby town Whitby Museum is in beautiful Pannett Park, right in the heart of centre. With stunning views, woodland and wild flower areas as Whitby. It was founded in 1823 and offers a fascinating glimpse well as formal planting, the Park also has one of the very few of Whitby’s heritage. The Museum has a diverse and intriguing floral clocks in the country. For families there is a unique range of displays that tell the story of Whitby and the surrounding Jurassic Garden, a state of the art children’s play area, maths area, from the huge fossil Ichthyosaurus to tiny jet carvings. and turtle trails to follow, as well as picnic areas. There are many other objects, which reflect Whitby’s vibrant and scientific maritime history, including the exploits of Captain For more info visit www.pannettpark.co.uk or call 01723 232588.