Whitby

[Indecisivelurcher]

Hello! I'm eyeing up Whitby for a family holiday with young DC at Easter time. Can anyone tell me pros or cons for staying in Whitby itself, Robins Hood Bay, Staithes, Saltburn or Filey? Ideally want to be walking distance to a good beach, a pub and fish and chips!

I used to love Whitby as a kid, used to holiday there most years. Not been in years. Agree with others re Filey beach being nicer but Whitby is very atmospheric and has stunning views.
I would stay in Whitby or just outside it. Also if you get a chance, go to Bempton Cliffs RSPB reserve to see the puffins and other seabirds on the cliffs. I’ve heard there aren’t as many as there used to be but that was one of my favourite parts of the holiday.
Also, re weather, yes it can be much worse there. Remember you have big cliffs along that part of the coastline so even a warm, still day can feel bitter when walking along the seafront/ top of cliffs. Weather can be generally unpredictable with lots of rain and always worth taking a cardi with you, even on a hot August day, to keep the breeze off

Oh @EssexLioness you've made it for me, I've always wanted to see puffins!!!

Whitby definitely with kids that age. I know that bit of the coast very well and although it’s become a bit of a hen party magnet in recent years, it’s still lovely.

Definitely recommend day trips to Scarborough, RHB and Saltburn.

Would absolutely take waterproofs and accept you’re probably going to get a bit soggy.

Last I was there, I stayed near pannet park with my DS and we had a lovely week.

There are still loads of birds at bempton cliffs as it goes. I saw an albatross there in the summer! It was enormous!

@Indecisivelurcher then Bempton Cliffs is an absolute must. It is one of the few places in the U.K. you can see them. The cliffs were covered with them - so pleased to hear from @Feliana that there are still loads of birds there, and an albatross is amazing, would love to see one of those.

Oh yes and I agree that Scarborough is worth a trip. Bridlington I wasn’t that fussed with but Scarborough is pretty with decent beaches from what I remember

I'd definitely stay in Whitby. As stated somewhere with parking if possible. It's all walkable. Stitches is worth a visit for Dotties tea rooms. Fabulous scones. Though you have to park at the top and walk down. It is very steep. Runswick is a lovely beach. Worth looking at the tide times. Lots of rock pools to explore. My kids would have loved that at your kids ages.

@EssexLioness I got lucky with the albatross, have to say. The staff said he's not there very often but he was on that particular day. It was incredible. But there are thousands of other birds there all the time anyway, just as a matter of course.

You can walk from there to Flamborough if you want as well, although it's too far for young kids ofc.

Don't take a picnic! They will have your hand off.

Puffins are only usually present mid-April to mid-July down the coast from Whitby, Scarborough and Filey at Bempton Cliffs, which is an RSPB nature reserve.

For restaurant recommendations I was told to try Tommy's in Filey, its an American bar and grill place that sometimes has live music, but it's a small venue so best to book before hand. We also had a nice meal at Pomodoro Pizzeria in Scarborough, its run by genuine Italians and their pasta dishes are lovely. The Alpamare water park is worth a visit in Scarborough too. Whitby has a nice big outdoor paddling pool at the top of the cliffs and we enjoyed the open top bus tour.

Alpamere is nowhere near as nice or well resourced as water parks on the continent but I guess for young children that isn't so much of an issue and there is something quite nice about relaxing in the outdoor adult heated pool looking out at the distant moors in the cold.

You could probably replicate the sensation by just booking a holiday home with a hot tub and a good view though!

Have you considered Scarborough? It’s very accessible to all the places you mention and has so much to keep young children happy - Sea life centre , cinema, theatres with children’s events, Peasholm Park and two stunning beaches.