Think you know all there is to Whitby? Think again! Discover these incredible day trips a short distance from Whitby.
Located in North Yorkshire, Whitby attracts many tourists every year. Although there are plenty of things to do in Whitby itself, you can enjoy plenty of day trips if you're stopping in for more than a few days. Here is a selection of day trips within an hour's drive of Whitby.
North York Moors, a 10-minute drive from Whitby
These moors have formed a National Park for more than half a century. Their beauty is astounding, with a vast carpet of purple heather as far as the eye can see. You will love exploring these moors if you love nature and the outdoors. There are many paths and tracks where you can enjoy hiking and cycling, making them an excellent choice for outdoor enthusiasts.
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Things to do in the North York Moors:
- Explore the vast walking and cycling paths that wind through the moors. Popular trails include routes to Mallyan Spout Waterfall and the village of Goathland.
- Visit Danby Lodge National Park Centre. This visitor centre provides information about the North York Moors and offers exhibits on local wildlife, trails, and events.
- The North York Moors provide an excellent backdrop for photography, especially during sunrise and sunset, when the colours of the heather and skies are simply breathtaking.
Falling Foss Waterfall, a 15-minute drive from Whitby
One of our favourite spots along the North Yorkshire Coast is the Falling Foss waterfall and the beautiful woodlands nearby. It’s an ideal destination for families, as the walking paths are easy for younger children to navigate.
There's a lovely tea garden where you can take a break, enjoy a drink, and soak in the enchanting scenery.
It’s advisable to wear sensible footwear, as the terrain can be challenging for individuals with walking difficulties and unsuitable for pushchairs. The path may be uneven and feature steep drop-offs, so please exercise caution, mainly when walking with children or dogs.
Learn more about Falling Foss Waterfall here.
Robin Hoods Bay, a 15-minute drive from Whitby
We love to visit Robin Hood's Bay, fossil hunt, and enjoy tasty fish and chips after the climb back up the hill to our car. The charming fishing village of Robin Hood's Bay makes for a wonderful day trip. Part of the Dinosaur Coast, it is filled with attractions, beautiful beaches, fossils, rich history, and much more.
Robin Hood's Bay Beach
Type of beach: Sand and rock.
Lifeguard service: No.
Dogs-friendly beach? Dogs are allowed all year round.
Robin Hood's Bay beach is unbelievably beautiful. Much of the beach is covered by water at high tide, but when the tide recedes, it unveils a gorgeous sandy stretch ideal for rock pooling, exploring, or simply soaking in the breathtaking scenery. As part of the Dinosaur Coast, it's no wonder that fossil hunters flock here to search for ancient remains.
Things to do in Robin Hood's Bay:
- Enjoy a visit to the Robin Hood's Bay Museum.
- Spook yourself silly and go on an award-winning ghost walk.
- Go shopping! There are pretty gift shops, antique stores, bookshops, and more.
- Fossil hunt on the beach.
Take a ride on the North York Moors Railway, an 18-minute drive from Whitby
If you want a fun day out for the whole family, ride the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. This heritage railway runs through the North Yorkshire Moors National Park. As you relax during your ride, you can enjoy taking in some stunning scenery. The kids will love hopping aboard a steam or diesel train, and you can look forward to mile upon mile of incredible scenery.
The North York Moors Historical Railway Trust is a not-for-profit charitable organisation run by the local community. Volunteers with railway operations and business experience carry out its day-to-day operations.
Features:
- Access to great cycling and walking routes (some of which are not accessible by road)
- Special events are held throughout the year, including the 60's Fest, Railway in Wartime, the Annual Steam Gala, and Santa Specials.
- Pullman Dining Train.
Goathland, a 20-minute drive from Whitby
The charming village of Goathland is fun for kids and adults alike. Fans of the TV series Heartbeat will know it as ‘Aidensfield', as it was used in the popular series.
The village's heritage station was used as the ‘Hogsmeade' station in the Harry Potter movies. In addition, there are some great walks and hikes in this area.
Click here for our guide to spending a day in lovely Goathland.
Staithes, a 20-minute drive from Whitby
Staithes is a fishing village on the Yorkshire Coast, just a short drive from Whitby. Although Staithes is a small fishing village, plenty of things keep you entertained for a few hours, even if it is just walking around and soaking up its idyllic beauty.
Things to do in Staithes:
- If the weather is good, head to Staithes and enjoy a few hours on the beach before relaxing in the Cod & Lobster pub in the harbour. Spend hours watching the world pass you by or enjoy freshly cooked local food.
- Real Staithes Day Tours will allow you to learn a lot about the area and see some truly beautiful scenery.
Flamingo Land, a 40-minute drive from Whitby
Flamingo Land offers plenty of exciting family fun. It is a great way to spend the day as a family, with plenty to see and do.
You can enjoy the thrill of the rides in the theme park, explore nature and wildlife at the zoo and conservation centre, and even look forward to educational experiences for the kids.
Eden Camp Museum, a 45-minute drive from Whitby
A day trip to the Eden Camp Museum is a great idea for a fun and educational family day. This award-winning attraction enables you to learn about British social and military history from the onset of the First World War.
At Eden Camp, you can visit many different ‘huts', each offering a slice of fascinating history, such as the rise of Hitler and how Britain prepared for the war. The camp hosts yearly events, so check its website for more details.
If you're interested in the local history, check out these other Whitby Museums.
Scarborough, a 45-minute drive from Whitby
Today, Scarborough is the largest holiday resort on the entire Yorkshire Coast. It is also known as one of the North East Coast's most vibrant and diverse seaside towns. There are loads of activities to cater to all age groups and tastes. Scarborough is approximately a 36-minute drive from Whitby along the coast.
Scarborough Beach stretches north from the Scarborough Spa to the Grand Hotel Scarborough along the North Sea. Most of the beach is covered at high tide, but families flock to the sandy shore when the waters recede. Kids can spend hours building sandcastles and playing in the sand; many people enjoy water sports here like paddle boarding and surfing.
Whether you are looking for fun and attractions or exciting nightlife, Scarborough has plenty to offer. You can enjoy beautiful beaches, lots of events, and many attractions.
Things to do in Scarborough:
- Wander around Scarborough Castle.
- Have lots of fun at the Alpamare Waterpark.
- Visit the beautiful Peasholm Park.
- You can also enjoy an open-top tour bus trip to make the most of your day here.
Bridlington, 1.15 hours drive from Whitby
The seaside town of Bridlington is a great place to spend the day. You can relax on stunning, family-friendly beaches, explore the fascinating Old Town, spend time in the historic harbour, and enjoy traditional seaside entertainment.
Things to do in Bridlington:
- You can take an open-top bus tour and enjoy the sites in comfort.
- Visit Sewerby Hall and Gardens.
- Try out one of several adventure trails.
York, 1.25 hours drive from Whitby
York is full of sights, attractions, and magic that you will want to seek out if you have the time. It is really one of the best day trips you can take if you are staying in Whitby.
Things to do in York:
- Clifford's Tower is one of the most beautiful attractions in York and a glorious symbol of England's Medieval Kings.
- The York Art Gallery also houses some of the most stunning artwork in the UK.
- The Yorkshire Museum is another place that many people who visit York flock to, and it's certainly worth checking out.
- Of course, no trip to York is complete without visiting the stunning York Minister Cathedral. This Cathedral is one of the largest in Northern Europe, and the impressive building is one of the top tourist attractions in Yorkshire.
- York's Chocolate Story is a fascinating place to visit if you have a sweet tooth.
- Explore the Shambles and wander along the cobbled streets. Shambles is one of the best-preserved medieval shopping streets in Europe.
With the wide range of day trips you can take when stopping in Whitby, you will never be short of things to keep you entertained. These trips offer a combination of fun, excitement, history, culture, and much more. Adding some of these day trips to your itinerary makes your visit to Whitby all the more memorable.
What about trips if you don’t have a car ? Thanks
Theres a service bus goes to Sandsend or Robin Hoods Bay & Scarborough. You can get the train from Scarborough to Filey, Bridlington & Hull. Or York.
Theres a train goes to Ruswarp and further.
You could pick the Cleveland Way up & walk to Staithes or Robin Hoods Bay.
Or theres a load of things to do in Whitby.
Thanks for sharing this information Ann. As you say, there is so much to do in Whitby itself, we want to let people know they can get out and explore the local area as well. Getting the bus or train to these locations is certainly one way to do it. Thanks for sharing.
Although we live in south Yorkshire have never ventured out Whitby way until this year. Wow! We have really missed a lot. Travelling through the North Yorkshire moors enroute have us a taste of what was to come. This must surely be the most beautiful area of the UK to visit. Whitby itself is a fabulous place, but scattered around are so many interesting, & historical sites. The whole of the North Yorkshire moors has to be seen. Mind blowing beauty around every corner. 😎 🇬🇧
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