Whitby is a place of special charm with a character all of its own. Steeped in history, from the earliest Christians to world famous sea captains, it is full of places to explore. Take a stroll through the cobbled yards and streets of the east side and you’ll enjoy the atmosphere of this ancient sea port. 199 steps will take you to the magnificent Abbey ruins and give you a wonderful view of the town.

The River Esk is at the very heart of the town. It provides the only sheltered haven between the Tees and the Humber, and made Whitby an important trading port. By the 18th century there were shipyards on both sides of the river and the port was the sixth largest in Britain.

Whitby was home to Captain Cook and many of his most famous voyages were aboard Whitby built ships such as HM Barque Endeavour. Exploring the town, you will find the Captain Cook Memorial Museum in Grape Lane and the Whitby Museum in Pannett Park which has a special section dedicated to Cook and Whitby’s other famous seafarers, the Scoresbys. It includes maps of Cook’s voyages, a model of Captain Scoresby’s Crows Nest and the scientific instruments invented by his son.