Does our love for Whitby make us a little blind to the amount of money we spend here? Is Whitby actually a rip-off?
We have been exploring Whitby for years, but like anywhere in the UK, it's hard not to notice the price increases year after year. I guess our love for Whitby outweighs the amount we spend. With so many tourists and the rise in prices, some have started to question whether Whitby is worth the hype or if it's simply a rip-off. Here, we investigate this question and honestly assess what Whitby has to offer.
Increase in prices, accommodation
First of all, let's address the concern about prices in Whitby.
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The cost of visiting and staying in Whitby has increased in recent years. The demand for accommodation, particularly during the peak summer season, drives up prices, making it more challenging for budget travellers to find affordable options.
There are a few cost-effective ways to stay in Whitby, such as booking more budget-friendly accommodation as early as possible, staying outside Whitby and travelling into the town, or trying out one of the fantastic campsites.
YHA Whitby is our favourite budget-friendly accommodation here. It is in a great location, right next to Whitby Abbey. YHA Whitby Abbey provides 24-hour access, lush gardens, and an affordable restaurant on site. Most rooms have bunk beds, but private and family rooms are also available.
Increase in prices, restaurants
Like accommodation, restaurants and bars have experienced considerable price rises. Many amazing restaurants in Whitby are worth the cost, with excellent, locally sourced food and fabulous views. However, like anywhere else, you can get an average meal for a high price and feel totally ripped off.
One of Whitby’s newer spots, Pescado Lounge, is lovely. It is located at Dock End, where the Star Inn The Harbour was previously. We adore this restaurant chain. It’s bright, spacious, and very reasonably priced. Children and dogs are more than welcome here. The menu includes options for kids, vegans, and gluten-free diets.
You know what you’re getting with a Wetherspoon, and Whitby has a great one. Centrally situated, this beautiful hotel stands proudly on the harbour, overlooking the River Esk. It's great for affordable pub food and drinks.
Fish and chips in Whitby, are they a rip-off?
The latest industry report from The KFE Fish & Chips Survey 2024 indicates that the average cost of a “regular” portion of fish and chips in the UK is £10.88. Does that shock you?
Whitby has many places to buy the best fish and chips. From longstanding family-run restaurants to contemporary takeaways, we compared prices at a few spots, which you can read here.
We won't lie; fish and chips in Whitby cost way more than the average UK cost. But there is nothing like some fish and chips with Whitby's sea views!
We often share a portion because the portions are big enough to do this, and we found Mister Chips to be the most affordable in Whitby. Even their sides are reasonable prices.
Moving on to the attractions and activities in Whitby, are they a rip-off?
The attractions and activities in Whitby generally offer good value for money, especially given their uniqueness and the quality of experience provided. While some might find specific entrance fees to be high, the historical and cultural significance of places like Whitby Abbey and the Captain Cook Museum justify the costs.
There are loads of free and low-cost activities, such as exploring the harbour and beaches, which enhance the overall value of a visit to Whitby. We always like to mix and match paid and free attractions for a cost-effective visit.
While Whitby certainly has much to offer, it may not be everyone's cup of tea. For those who prefer quieter, less touristy destinations, Whitby during peak season might be off-putting and feel more of a rip-off if the experience isn't valuable for the cost. Consider visiting out of season (if you can) when there is still plenty open, but the town is much quieter.
Is Whitby a rip-off compared to other seaside resorts in the UK?
Like many popular seaside resorts in the UK, Whitby receives a mixture of reviews. Whether Whitby is considered a rip-off compared to other seaside resorts depends on what you value in a seaside resort visit.
Here's how we compare Whitby to other seaside resorts we have visited.
Scarborough: Similar in proximity and many attractions but generally less expensive regarding accommodation and food.
Blackpool: Known for being budget-friendly with more commercial attractions, often much cheaper.
Brighton: Typically more expensive than Whitby, with a more urban and contemporary vibe.
Whitby's unique history and natural beauty might justify higher costs for some visitors. Other resorts might offer better value for those seeking a cheaper, more commercial experience. It's essential to weigh the type of experience you seek against the costs involved.
For us, you can't beat Whitby's atmosphere, attractions, and friendly locals. We don't mind spending a little more money to visit Whitby because we always have such a wonderful time. We have made beautiful memories together here. Over the years, we have found a few ways to make our visit more budget-friendly, which is the best of both worlds. But we never feel ripped off.
What do you think? Is Whitby a rip-off? You can let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Whitby is a very expensive town and yes it has it’s beautiful scenic areas but lots of businesses have jumped on the bandwagon and hiked the prices up and it’s just pure greed in a lot of cases.
Why is Whitby fish and chips more expensive? Why are the pubs including Wetherspoons more expensive and charge London prices for beer and spirits? If it carries on folks looking for a good deal will stay away from Whitby and go to other less expensive resorts.
Plus the town is starting to look dirty, the streets are filthy and sadly it’s not the quaint little seaside town it once was.
Over priced, over rated and certainly not worth the hype it gets.
Just returned from our favourite trip to Whitby for the autumn Goth weekend. I love Whitby, lets get this straight. This year however, the pub prices were a scandal. Several times we were charged £15 for two drinks (a pint of moretti and a double Bacardi and coke) I know the moretti was £6.50 a pint in most places… which means £8.50 for the Bacardi. The real issue is that some bar staff were charging different prices for the same drinks in the same pubs. And one pub was definitely watering it’s spirits. We’ll continue to go to Whitby but the authorities need to get a grip of this.
£24 for 2 just plain average fish and chips at the Magpie, not again.
Everything is rip off prices though at Whitby these days.