FREE GUIDEBOOK 18th 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 Escape Rooms with a Whitby Twist Choose Follow your team the clues Escape! 2-6 60 Solve the Work minutes puzzles together Two immersive rooms to choose from: St Hilda’s Business Centre The Ropery, Whitby YO22 4ET 07480 117323 01947 821333 [email protected] www.eskapewhitby.co.uk A warm welcome to Whitby I hope our guidebook helps you to enjoy your visit to Whitby and the beautiful area surrounding it. As its popularity continues to grow we must do all we can to both enhance your visit and try to mitigate some of the impact that visitor numbers have on the area. Walking and cycling continue to prove a good way of exploring the countryside whilst a boat trip gives you a different view of the coastline – you may even see whales or porpoise! Our advertisers give you a flavour of the wider diversity of things to see, do, eat or buy – please support them. But please don’t support the seagulls by feeding them! Enjoy your visit John Freeman Chairman of WDTA (an independent self-financing body) At the time of going to press, WDTA would like to acknowledge the valued support of the following in the production of this guidebook: 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 Yorkshire Moors Railway, Whitby Museum, Esk Valley Railway, John Freeman, Alan Wastell, Welcome to Yorkshire, Craig McGarvey and Michael Hill. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication. WDTA cannot accept liability for any loss caused by errors in the information. Designed and produced by Bow House Digital Ltd, 3 Chapel Court, Chapel Street, Easingwold, York YO61 3AE Tel: 01347 821928 [email protected] www.bowhouse.co.uk visitwhitby.com | 2 Get your 'Lucky Duck' at WHITBY GLASS STUDIOS 62 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: Jan: Garnet Feb: Amethyst Mar: Aqua-Marine Apr: Crystal May: Emerald Jun: Agate Jul: Ruby Aug: Peridot Sept: Sapphire Oct: Opal Nov: Topaz Dec: Turquoise www.whitbyluckyducks.com email: [email protected] 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 cured kippers and can still be seen 9.00 am - 3.00 pm today using unchanged methods Sunday to produce their traditional smoked 10.00 am - 2.00 pm kippers, smoked salmon, haddock (shop will close early on days and kipper paté. when we sell out of kippers) Moon & Balloon Like us on ­ Facebook 3 | visitwhitby.com Ethically sourced, certifi ed Whitby Jet 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 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. Visit us to learn more Daily jet working demonstrations at The Ebor Jetworks 138 CHURCH STREET, WHITBY YO22 4DE WWW.EBORJETWORKS.CO.UK visitwhitby.com | 4 Explore Whitby Town 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 the ‘poor’ side with fishermen’s cottages, jet workers and the like. The West side had the grander homes of ship owners and sea captains. The harbour piers with their lighthouses of differing sizes, rather echo the rich and poor sides of the town! 5 | visitwhitby.com CLARKES of WHITBY Clarkes of Whitby is one of the oldest shops in the Georgian Skinner Street. Offering a great range of fi ne wines, liqueurs, excellent local beers, tobacco, groceries, provisions and much more. Come and visit us. 30-32 Skinner St. Open 7 days a week Town Centre 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! visitwhitby.com | 6 “THE YELLOW BOATS” 20 MINUTE SEA TRIPS Find us at the Under 5’s FREE Brewery Steps, Whitby YO21 3PW Pets Welcome Email: [email protected] Tel: 07981 712419 www.whitbycoastalcruises.co.uk 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] 7 | visitwhitby.com visitwhitby.com | 8 9 | visitwhitby.com 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 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 13 | visitwhitby.com 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 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 Pannett Park The award winning Pannett Park is on the edge of Whitby town centre. With stunning views, woodland and wild flower areas as well as formal planting, the Park also has one of the very few floral clocks in the country. For families there is a unique Jurassic Garden, a state of the art children’s play area, maths and turtle trails to follow, as well as picnic areas. For more info visit www.pannettpark.co.uk or call 01723 232588. Pannett Art Gallery Discover the elegant Pannett Art Gallery and explore its wonderful art collections and temporary exhibitions. On permanent display are: • Exquisitely detailed paintings by George Weatherill and family 1810–1923. • The only comprehensive public display of work by the Staithes Group of Artists, ––– including a special anniversary display – ‘Laura Knight at Staithes’. ‘Laura’ by‘Laura’ Harold by Knight Harold © TheKnight Estate ©The of EstateDame Lauraof Dame Knight Laura DBE Knight RA RWS DBE RA RWS ‘Laura’ by Harold‘Laura’ Knight by ©The Harold Estate of KnightDame Laura © KnightThe DBE Estate RA RWS of Dame Laura Knight DBE RA RWS • Two beautiful tapestries designed by Pre-Raphaelite artist Edward Coley Burne-Jones. The gallery also hosts a season of temporary exhibitions. Please phone 01947 600933 or check the website for details: www.pannettartgallery.org Pannett Art Gallery is located in the magnificent Pannett Park and shares a building with the wonderful Whitby Museum. Open Tuesday - Sunday. Level entry is available at the rear of the building. Admission to Pannett Art Gallery is free, there is a charge for entry into the Museum. 15 | visitwhitby.com Whitby Museum Whitby Museum Whitby Museum is in beautiful Pannett Park, right in the heart of Whitby. It was founded in 1823 and offers a fascinating glimpse of Whitby’s heritage. The Museum has a diverse and intriguing range of displays that tell the story of Whitby and the surrounding area, from the huge fossil Ichthyosaurus to tiny jet carvings. There are many other objects, which reflect Whitby’s vibrant and scientific maritime history, including the exploits of Captain James Cook. The Museum has retained its original Edwardian atmosphere and its eclectic and fascinating collection of artefacts and curios are a delight for all ages.