subject: The History and Attractions of Whitby [print this page] On the North Yorkshire coast of the United Kingdom, you will find Whitby. In Whitby there are tourist areas like Filey, Scarborough and Ravenscar as well as quaint, picturesque villages in the south. Whitby became world famous by Captain James Cook, who was a well known explorer during the 18th century.
There is a port there that is small and used for fishing. It used to fill up so much with boats, years and years ago, that there wasn't much water! You can explore the towns and visit some lush areas, as well as picnic areas that are wooded. In Whitby, ship building is traditional and there is also a merchant collier called HM Bark Endevour. View ship and boat models that are extremely intricate by visiting this location.
You can take a small lane and follow it to the quay side, which is bustling with business. If you go to the east cliff you will find what is left of Saint Hilda's Abbey. There is a Yorkshire river that will pass you by called River Esk, which is filled with salmon. You can easily find a resort to stay in that will provide you with a lot of fun.
Just 200 steps from Whitby is the churchyard of Saint Mary which is where the book, Dracula, by Brahm Stoker was based. Goathland is where Heatbeat, the hit TV series, was made.
Prepare yourself because you will find that there are unpredictable waters that can get pretty wild. The Whitby Gothic Weekend is celebrated with a festival done by the Goths, two times every year. The heritage listings of the United Kingdom includes this portion of the coastline.
Even currently, one of the top tourist attractions is the Ruins of the Abbey. You can stroll around the ruins and take in the English heritage. There are folk tales that are based on the church of Saint Mary's.
You can take the Valley Esk route on the Whitby railway to get to the church. In the summer, they extend their hours and run more trains so that people can reach their destination.
The majority of the charm of Whitby is hiding out in the nooks and crannies of the town and not in the obvious places like the harbor and seafront.
There are strong family units that live close together in these small areas of this town filled with alleyways, private courtyards and cobbled streets.
There are many museums that celebrate Whitby's history, like Captain Cook Memorial Museum.
There is the Captain Cook Memorial Museum, as we have mentioned.
There is the Whitby Museum.
Another example is the Whitby Heritage Centre and Archive.
And then there is the Whitby Jet Heritage Centre.
The Victorian Whitby Museum is another great example.
You and future generations will be able to get a good idea of the historical value of this old and unique town because of all of the documents, artifacts and photographs.
You will find working models, toys, fossils and artifacts from centuries ago at the Whitby Museum which is located in Pannett Park, a beautiful place for families to visit.
You can find all the information you would wish to learn about Cook's voyages at the Captain Cook Memorial Museum, like maps, artwork and letters, along with ship models, so that you can get a true feel for his adventures. The Captain Cook Memorial Museum was noted as the best small visitor attraction when it won the Yorkshire Tourist Board's White Rose Award because of its unique collection of artifacts.
Whitby Shopping
You may find your own surprises by exploring the streets of Whitby that are ancient and cobbled. There, you will find unique shops, pubs and cafes that are more than cozy.
There are so many treats lurking behind every corner, like the last smokehouse of Whitby that sells fresh kippers and Sandgate's sweetshop that is filled with every candy that you could imagine. Go down Henrietta street to the last row of cottages to find the Fortune family's smokehouse and enjoy the harbor while doing so.
