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Original poster

Tell me about Whitby

162 replies

twolilacs · 29/03/2023 21:36

DH and I are going there for a few days' break in early July. We'd love some suggestions of places, museums & shops to visit, and we are staying at a B&B so would also like recommendations of good restaurants/pubs in the evenings. Happy to do plenty of walks too. Can you really find pieces of jet on the beach?

OP posts:
Astepaway · 30/03/2023 07:21

We also visited that weekend! The sea mist was something else wasn’t it.

frustratednomad · 30/03/2023 07:47

@Astepaway it certainly was! One good thing we found was an excellent park and ride, so no need to worry about parking.

catinboooots · 30/03/2023 07:48

StopFeckingFaffing · 29/03/2023 21:47

Lucky duck shop 😍

OMG yes!!!

Brendabigbaps · 30/03/2023 07:51

Any fish and chip shop but the magpie, so overrated.

rookiemere · 30/03/2023 08:17

I actually thought the Magpie was excellent. As well as fish and chips they do a number of seafood dishes which would cost a lot more at a properly upmarket restaurant. We ate there 3 times on a weeks visit. Loved Whitby by the way.

CaptainMyCaptain · 30/03/2023 08:22

GuyFawkesDay · 29/03/2023 21:45

Magpie fish n chips
Arnold Palmer crazy golf!

Magpie fish and chips has long queues and is over rated. You would be better off over the bridge. I also recommend the pie shop .

12BottlesOfVintageChampagne · 30/03/2023 08:37

This place - your tummy will thank you 😁

www.magpiecafe.co.uk

QuitRunningForThatRunawayBus · 30/03/2023 08:47

motherofawhirlwind · 29/03/2023 22:13

Up the steps, round the church and Abbey and into the YHA tea room.

Definitely go to Sandsend - the Sandsend Cafe is lovely, but also there's a wee one at the far end by the car park and loos. The one on the river is fine but not as nice, imo.

Steam train to Goathland, a fab circular walk down the cinder track, across the fields and past the church. Cuppa in Goathland Tea Rooms. Then train back or walk to Grosmont via the pub in Beck Hole and get the train back from there.

If you've got the car, Staithes is lovely, Pickering (can do that by steam train too) Castle, Scarborough Castle or Helmsley Castle if you like castles.

Fish and Chips - Trenchers is the best but Royal Fisheries is owned by the same people and quieter.

Bothams for cakes and lemon buns.

I have family just outside so we've visited lots. Never get tired of it but prefer out of season or heading inland sometimes as it can get mad in the summer.

I'd agree with all of this, weve been to Whitby more times that I can remember. The Birch Hall pub at Beck Hole is like stepping back in time, but it's tiny and I think would be very busy in the summer so go on a day when you can sit outside.

If you like walking, walk to RHB and you can get the bus back. You can find some great fossils on the beach, and then pop into the Bay Hotel for a drink with a view.

For places to eat in Whitby, The Marine is good for dinner. Sanders Yard is tucked away and does nice breakfasts, brunch and lunch. If you like gin, you'll enjoy Rusty Shears - haven't been for a while but they have a huge range of gins. Don't bother with The Magpie for fish and chips. It's overhyped and there are better (and cheaper) places to get fish and chips. Most chippies in Whitby cook in beef fat, so even chips are off the menu if either of you are vegetarian.

QuitRunningForThatRunawayBus · 30/03/2023 08:50

CuriousMama · 29/03/2023 22:57

I love Sherlock's.

Show quote history

Yes, we do too.

PogoThePunk · 30/03/2023 09:07

The only good thing about Whitby is the Duke of York pub which serves great fish and chips...and the road out.
Sorry Whitby people.
Has the Endeavour ship returned? The last time I saw it many years ago it was about to set sail for Fremantle in Australia.

TheaBrandt · 30/03/2023 09:33

Don’t know why everyone goes on about the fish and chips they are nothing different to anywhere else. I was glad to leave sorry. There was a creepy vibe and lots of rough people.

QuitRunningForThatRunawayBus · 30/03/2023 10:00

Why would people come on this thread (one poster multiple times) to sneer at Whitby when the OP has said she's going? So unnecessary, she isn't asking whether to go or not.

ClaraThePigeon · 30/03/2023 10:03

I didn't notice any rough people while in Whitby personally or a strange atmosphere . I loved it. I probably wouldn't go for longer than a few days though because it's pretty small.

gettingoldisshit · 30/03/2023 10:07

Im obviously missing something. We went a couple of years ago for the day on our way to Scotland. I have wanted to visit whitby for years and i was so disappointed. Rude locals, fish and chips that could have come from any budget supermarket and just generally tatty! Admittedly we didn't go to the abbey!

CuriousMama · 30/03/2023 10:11

QuitRunningForThatRunawayBus · 30/03/2023 10:00

Why would people come on this thread (one poster multiple times) to sneer at Whitby when the OP has said she's going? So unnecessary, she isn't asking whether to go or not.

The world is full of twunts sadly

Newuser82 · 30/03/2023 10:14

Runswick bay is gorgeous! You can fin fossils there too. The pirate boat trip in Whitby is on my list of things to do this year. It looks fab!

rookiemere · 30/03/2023 10:16

We stayed for a week, and I'd happily go back as we didn't do many of the walks.

We were lucky enough to stay where there was free parking and as well as having its own modest attractions, it's a great base for trips to Dalby Forest, York and Scarborough. Even dropped DS and his teen pal off at Flamingo Land one day whilst we went to wherever they filmed Brideshead Revisited.

There was a steampunk convention on at the time of our visit, so it was great to people watch everyone in their costumes . Perhaps I am over enthusiastic as we visited shortly after lockdown was lifted, but I would highly recommend it - good for teens as well as its small enough for them to wander around, but big enough to have amusement arcades and interesting shops, and of course much fish and chips.

CovertImage · 30/03/2023 10:17

Christ, there are a couple of miserable fun sponges on this thread!

BarbaraofSeville · 30/03/2023 10:26

Depending on how far you want to travel/walk, there's loads of places to visit in the area.

Eg north to Runswick Bay, Staithes, Saltburn area. Or south to Robin Hood's Bay, Ravenscar or even Hayburn Wyke, which is a steep wooded area with a waterfall, walks and a pub. Or inland to the NY Moors.

I've been to Whitby countless times, but there's a few places mentioned that I've not been to before as far as I can remember, so will be checking out in future. I do agree it's too busy at peak times (I went between Christmas and New Year in 2021 (I think - it was definitely a COVID year and I don't think it was 2020 because that was when we went back into lockdown after the 'tiers' debarcle) and it was heaving. It was like everyone in Yorkshire and Teeside had had the same idea. But if you can manage to go at a quieter time, it can be a much nicer experience.

girlmeetsboy · 30/03/2023 12:47

My Husband comes from Whitby and his family live in Runswick Bay/Staithes.

We usually visit once a year out of tourist season as you cant park anywhere and the Co-op car park is very expensive!

Even though I am Kent born and bred I still get a a warm feeling as you drive up the hill from Thornton Dale onto the moors...

Anyway we usually eat at The Marine, The Magpie (he would prefer Trenchers but I don't like Fish and Chips so usually have a seafood dish), Mademoiselle's or Estbek House in Sandsend.

Runswick Bay is a lovely beach to walk on and we usually go 'Jetting' although you can really find much these days.

The Goth weekend is astonishing, I have never seen such amazing outfits! We usually sit outside a pub and watch all the costumes go by.

Enjoy!

CuriousMama · 30/03/2023 13:16

@girlmeetsboy it's not just f&c at Trenchers. They do fish pie etc.

@WhatWouldHopperDo oh they're my favourite. A mixture of crunch,cream and biscuity. They're the best. I don't have a sweet tooth but oh my days.

Lesina · 30/03/2023 13:18

The White Horse & Griffin in Church Street. Marvellous pub.

girlmeetsboy · 30/03/2023 13:21

Lesina · 30/03/2023 13:18

The White Horse & Griffin in Church Street. Marvellous pub.

Oooo I forgot there! Another gem

girlmeetsboy · 30/03/2023 13:23

@CuriousMama I know but I just prefer the ambiance of the Magpie too :-)