Located on the North Eastern coast of England in North Yorkshire, Whitby is a seaside town that clings to its cliff faces and serves some of the best fish and chips in the world!
It is known for being where a young Captain James Cook learnt his trade, and where the Endeavour was built in 1764 as a coal carrier. When she was bought by the British Navy she was re-fitted.
There is also a strong literary tradition in Whitby as it was most famously referenced in Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula.
We were taken with the tiny cobbled streets and stairs, and spent the weekend acquainting ourselves with all the tiny laneways and alleys.
It isn’t a large village, at last census just over 13,000 people. But as you scale the cliffs you can look down over the sheltered harbour and at the heritage listed piers.
St Mary’s Church is at the top of the 199 steps and along with Whitby Abbey, dominates the skyline on the East bank of the Esk river.
It was easy to see how Bram Stoker was inspired for his gothic novel from these surroundings. It is said that Stoker discovered the name “Dracula” at the old public library.
The shops were a revelation. So much cute and kitschy cottage industry things that it was obvious to us that one of the main sources on income for the village is the tourist industry.
It was hard to walk past the ye olde time candy shops though! Check out the selection! We may have indulged in the handmade clotted cream fudge for myself, and some good English Liquorice allsorts for Himself!
As a final shot for this post, I had to include this second hand shop. Himself noticed it first, and I must admit staring in the window it too me a second for my brain to comprehend what he was talking about when he said “Look; a dalek!” Maybe it was that fact that it was life-size!
More reporting from Whitby in our next exciting episode!
All facts from Wiki, all opinions are my own.
ghoti industries 
What a lovely place to visit! I will add it to my wanderlust destinations list 🙂
I will be preoccupied with the backstory of the second-hand dalek all day, wondering from whence it came and how it found itself in Whitby!
Yeah, I wish I’d asked! But the store was full of people at the time. I spent more time playing with the store fluffies. Two friendly dogs who were wandering around accepting pats 😉
I read Dracula at an early age, so my first association when I hear of Whitby is always Dracula. My parents visited and I was jealous not to have been with them on that trip. Seeing your photos makes me want to go even more.
Just a short trip across on the ferry , and then drive down from Newcastle! It’s totally worth it! A gorgeous village, and such friendly service everywhere!
Once upon a time there was a little place called Whitby where lost Daleks gathered . . . . . . .
After they had roamed the moors looking for their lost teddy bears?
No, in that area they would have been looking for Golliwogs !!!!