FREE GUIDEBOOK 17th 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 Welcome to Whitby I am pleased to say that Whitby continues to attract a wide spectrum of visitors! This I believe is down to its Simpsons Jet Jewellery unique character forged at a time when the town was a relatively isolated community, self-reliant but welcoming of Whitby to anyone making the difficult journey by road or sea. Today, Whitby regularly features in the top ten surveys of Makers of fi ne quality Whitby Jet Jewellery UK holiday destinations. The range of interesting things to do, places to see and of course marvellous places to eat Tel: 01947 897166 both in the town itself and its surrounding villages are a major factor in this. Email: [email protected] As a town we continue to strive to improve your visitor experience. Whitby Town Council in partnership with We guarantee all our Jet is locally gathered and our Danfo rescued many of the public toilets from closure. Jet Jewellery is handmade in our workshop. They are now award winning! We’re easy to fi nd: Walk over the old Swing Bridge I hope this guidebook helps you to enjoy your visit and (with the Abbey in view). Turn right on to Grape Lane. tempts you to return to our lovely town and its wonderful We’re approximately halfway along on the right. surroundings again and again. 21 Grape Lane, Whitby, North Yorkshire YO22 4BA Our Jewellery is also available at John Freeman Jet Black, 128 Church Street 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, Alan & Gemma Pratt, Ebor Images, North Yorkshire Moors Railway, Whitby Museum, Esk Valley Railway, John Freeman, 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, 116 Long Street, Easingwold, York YO61 3JA You can also visit us online at Tel: 01347 821928 [email protected] www.bowhouse.co.uk www.whitbyjet4u.com visitwhitby.com | 2 The Ebor Jetworks 138 Church Street Whitby YO22 4DE T: 01947 603113 FOLLOW US! Get your 'Lucky Duck' at WHITBY GLASS STUDIOS The Ebor Jet works is not the average jet shop. Sarah Steele is not 61 years of amazing success only a professional lapidary but also a geologist and accredited 9 Sandgate, Whitby Tel: 01947 603 553 gemmologist (FGA, DGA). Much of her time is involved in research Beswick, Disney, Steiff Teddy Bears, Porcelain Miniature Animals, into the material Whitby Jet, and she is currently working on her Marbles, Village Candles and Luxa London Lamps Ph.D. thesis. She regularly speaks at conferences around the world Choose your Lucky Duck by the colour of your gemstone: on the cultural importance of jet to the British Isles. 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 All our jewellery is handmade on the premises using certifi ed, Fortunes have been producing kippers on the same premises on responsibly sourced Whitby Jet. We have daily jet working Henrietta Street for over 140 years. demonstrations in the shop, and offer evening talks on the subject Five generations of the family have Monday - Saturday held in our fi rst fl oor Whitby Jet gallery. We also offer an identifi cation cured kippers and can still be seen 9.00 am - 3.00 pm today using unchanged methods to Sunday service for rough materials and antique pieces believed to be jet. 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 and Harbour The historic swing bridge links the two sides of Whitby, East and West, each with a different flavour. Historically they were rich and poor but now both have a vibrant feel with a host of individual shops and eating places. The harbour, which is really the River Esk, is a great point of interest. Vessels are in constant movement, often queuing for the bridge to open, always worth a watch! In June you can see the sun set over the sea - an unusual event on the East Coast. This year the replica Endeavour adds a tall ship to the harbour scene; echoes of days gone by. Major repairs to the stonework on both piers are planned for 2019. There will be limited public access to the West Pier, which affords a lovely walk when open. The East Pier will be temporarily closed, to improve the long term safety of Whitby from coastal flooding. Fact... Whitby harbour mouth points due north. 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 7 | visitwhitby.com visitwhitby.com | 8 “THE YELLOW BOATS” DAILY 20/25 MINUTE TRIPS INTO THE BAY (all times approximate) Under 5’s FREE Pets Welcome RIVER I hour cruise up the Esk to Ruswarp village sailing through TRIPS the swing bridge and beneath Larpool Viaduct Whitby Boat Tours COASTAL 3 hour trips along the spectacular Yorkshire coast and to CRUISES Ravenscar Seal Colony Want to do something really special during your Whitby visit and create some memorable moments? Take a trip out to sea on one STAITHES A visit to Staithes which includes an hour ashore for you to of the many fine boat trips that Whitby’s historic harbour has to CRUISE explore offer. Below are two very popular boat experiences we feel you’re Running harbour tours with full commentary - boarding DASH 11 sure to enjoy… opposite the Angel Hotel, New Quay Road PLUS SUNSET AND TWILIGHT CRUISES AND SUMMER SPECIALS The Bark Endeavour (Captain Cook Experience): www.whitbycoastalcruises.co.uk Step aboard and enjoy a voyage on the Bark Endeavour – an authentic replica of the original sailed by Captain James Cook Email: [email protected] Tel: 07981 712419 back in 1768 on his first voyage. Get a feel for how life at sea must See Facebook, Whitby Coastal Cruises, for up to date sailing times have been over 250 years ago. Learn more about Whitby and Cook’s life at sea. Get in to the spirit of the time and join in with singing traditional sea shanties whilst taking in the fabulous WHITBY WHALE WATCHING Jurassic coastline views. Under 2s are free and pets are welcome. Whitby Coastal Cruises & Whale Watching Trips: DISCOVER THE YORKSHIRE COAST’S BIGGEST SECRET The “Yellow Boats” offer fabulous short and long boat trips. The ‘Esk Belle III’ is used for evening river cruises and 20 minute trips out of the bay. The fast, family friendly ‘Summer Queen’ is used for the longer Staithes, Sunset and Twilight cruises and has several decks with large viewing windows: spectacular for whale watching. Often seen are fin whales, minke whales, humpback whales, white Book online at www.whitbywhalewatching.co.uk beaked and bottle-nosed dolphins, thousands of seals, sunfish, Email: [email protected] Tel: 07981 712419 jellyfish and sharks! How many different seabirds will you spot along the way too? See Facebook, Whitby Whale Watching, for latest trip information 9 | visitwhitby.com visitwhitby.com | 10 SINK YOUR TEETH INTO A GREAT DAY OUT Whitby Abbey will re-open to the public in April 2019 with an exciting new exhibition which will explore the enduring infl uence of the Abbey on artists, poets and novelists. 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 Cliff, Whitby, YO21 3HT 01947 604640 [email protected] Whitby, North Yorkshire YO22 4JT 11 | visitwhitby.com visitwhitby.com | 12 The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a company, no. 07447221, registered in England. NCG MKTG NORTH 5408 WHITBY PORT AD JAMES FELL A4 PORT 210X99MM CMYK SUSIE AW 28.11.18 ENGLISH HERITAGE, BRAND & DESIGN TEAM, THE ENGINE HOUSE, FIREFLY AVENUE, SWINDON SN2 2EH • TELEPHONE 01793 414451 13 | visitwhitby.com visitwhitby.com | 14 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.