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Things To Do In Whitby In Winter, 11 Winter Attractions & Activities

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Whitby is a beautiful place to visit all year round. However, we actually favour visiting during the Winter. Here are 11 things to do in Whitby in winter.

Though Whitby gets busier in the summer, many people favour coming during the winter months. Thankfully, there are plenty of things to do in Whitby in winter. There’s something about Whitby from October to March; it’s peaceful, and the true beauty comes out when it’s not bustling with people. You can stand still momentarily and take in the hauntingly beautiful atmosphere. Here are 11 things to do in Whitby in Winter.


1. Wrap up and enjoy a ghost walk

Wrap up and enjoy a Ghost Walk in Whitby during the winter months.

While in Whitby, we loved taking part in an evening ghost walk. It’s a great way to see parts of the town you would not have otherwise visited and hear ghost stories, myths and legends from local people.

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We highly recommend Gill’s Red Hat Ghost Walk. It is well-planned, lighthearted, and fun. Gill will tell you tales of ghosts, witches, headless horsemen, severed hands, and hobgoblins! She has written all the stories in rhyme and performs them beautifully! The walk suits all ages and fitness levels; it’s a great way to explore Whitby behind the scenes. This ghost walk is wheelchair friendly.

To learn more about this walk and keep updated on the days and times her walks are running, please visit her website or follow Red Hat Ghost Walk on Instagram.


2. Visit for Whitby Goth Weekend

© Copyright – All rights reserved by Simon McCabe
© Copyright – All rights reserved by Simon McCabe

Whitby is flooded with goths from far and wide who come to celebrate Whitby Goth Weekend twice a year. One event is held in April, and another is held in October, usually over Halloween weekend; the latter is the most popular.

The weekend is packed with different events: music, theatre, and people adorn themselves in beautiful Victorian goth, traditional goth, and modern adaptations. It’s an incredible sight. The whole of Whitby becomes an exciting place filled with people buzzing, and the town thrives with this fantastic event.

You can learn more about Whitby Goth Weekend here.


3. Try and find treasure fossil hunting

Saltwick Bay Fossil Hunting.

Get ready to wrap up warm again, but trust us when we say it’s worth it. Whitby has been well known for its fossil collecting and is even documented as having the most intact Teleosaurus Chapmani fossil (an early crocodile ancestor).

Saltwick Bay, just near Whitby Abbey, is the best beach for fossil hunting. Saltwick Bay is so full of fossils that you don’t even need to painfully look through all the rocks for a hint of a fossil. They are easily found. Everything has been found on this beach, from dinosaur bones to dinosaur faeces! The beach is relatively quiet during the winter as it’s a bit of a hidden gem in Whitby; you’ll usually have it to yourself.


4. Ride the North York Moors Railway

Pickering Station.

To escape the cold a little bit, you can hop aboard the North York Moors Railway; there are several events run throughout the year, including the very popular Pullman Dining Experience, which lets you watch the beautiful scenery of the North Yorks Moors pass by as you sample some gorgeous food and wine.

It’s a beautiful experience for adults and kids; there are daily opportunities for them to experience the famous National Park from the warmth and excitement of a train.


5. Witness the wonderful Illuminated Abbey event

Iluminated Whitby Abbey.

There isn’t anywhere spookier to visit at Halloween than Bram Stoker’s inspiration. Visit Illuminated Abbey with awe and wonder as it is bathed in dramatic illuminations. Don’t forget to take your camera as you capture the gothic ruins lit up with all the colours of the rainbow; you will never have seen it as magical as this before.

This is an evening of Victorian Gothic entertainment beneath the remains of Whitby Abbey, an evening suitable for the entire family. After the performance, you can toast marshmallows and enjoy delicious food from the food trucks on the site. Read our Illuminated Abbey FAQs.


6. Step back in time at Eden Camp

Image Credit: Eden Camp Facebook.

Eden Camp is a 50-minute drive outside of Whitby. However, it is worth the travel time. It’s one of the biggest museums in the UK, solely dedicated to military history, specifically World War 2; it is located in an old POW camp.

The museum is a fantastic day out for all the family and a place children love. It even allows them to learn while having fun. Don’t worry if you have a dog; dogs are also allowed to learn the history of World War 2 so long as they are on a lead and kept under control at all times!


7. Spend the day at Robin Hood’s Bay

Robin Hood's Bay beach.

You can still enjoy a beach walk in the winter sun. If you’re a dog lover, your dog will thank you for it too. The beach is dog-friendly, so you can roam the entire stretch with your four-legged friend. Then rest up in the Bay Hotel for a pint or a warm-up with a hot chocolate!

Those who love history can stop by Robin Hood’s Bay Museum. There are fishing, shipping, history and geology displays. You can also learn about the shipwrecks that used to be a common occurrence in Robin Hood’s Bay.


8. Wander around wintery Whitby!

Whitby in Winter.

Or you could simply wander around beautiful Whitby, enjoy fish and chips and cosy up in front of a log fire in a local pub for the evening! The list is endless. Soaking up the atmosphere around the town in the colder months is one of our favourite things to do in Whitby in winter.


9. Spend your pennies at the arcades

Whitby arcades.

Fun City and Funland Amusements along the harbour are great options if you’re looking for a fun way to entertain your children. After a day of walking around, you can let your kids enjoy the rides and play some games.

They can even try to win a soft toy or spend some loose change in the penny machines. There’s also an excellent pirate-themed indoor crazy golf course and indoor ten-pin bowling alley.


10. Visit Whitby Museum

Whitby Museum.

If you’re interested in Whitby’s maritime history, you should check out the Whitby Museum. It boasts a variety of fascinating exhibits, including relics from bygone eras and an impressive collection of dinosaur fossils found locally along the coastline.

Plan to spend at least an hour exploring the museum’s offerings. Don’t miss the chance to see the famous Hand of Glory exhibit, which will pique your interest.


11. Visit the Whitby Lobster Hatchery

Visit the Whitby Lobster Hatchery.

Located on Pier Road, right across from the Magpie Cafe. The Marine Discovery Centre has over 30 species of native marine life spread over three tanks. This centre was once an unused fish auction shed that has been transformed into a Marine Discovery Centre and Lobster Hatchery. The centre’s main objectives are to preserve the fishing industry and advance education and research on the local marine life.

One of the ways they do this is by releasing 100k juvenile lobsters back into the sea each year, which offsets the number caught by the fishermen in Whitby. The hatchery is critical to the lobsters’ survival at the most delicate stage, where only 1% typically survive in the wild.

Using modern technology, the hatchery simulates the natural environment of the juvenile lobsters until they are fully matured. This increases their chances of survival to 40% once they are released back into the sea.

If you visit the Marine Discovery Centre, you can interact with exhibits, learn about sea creatures, and witness their incredible work. It’s a great way to learn about marine life and support an important cause.


12. Visit Whitby Christmas Festival

Whitby Christmas Festival.

For a family-friendly event full of activities, mark your calendar for the return of the Whitby Christmas Festival in 2024!

The festival showcases local vendors with unique offerings, traditional cuisine, live music, and a spectacular fireworks display. It’s a lovely way to celebrate the run-up to Christmas!


13. Pick up a gorgeous gift at the Made In Whitby Christmas Festival

Made In Whitby Christmas Festival.

The Made In Whitby Christmas Festival will feature live music throughout both days at Whitby Brewery, offering a stunning view of the iconic Whitby Abbey.

Imagine a scene inspired by Dickens and Frank Meadow Sutcliffe, where you’ll be immersed in the warm glow of oil lamps, mulled wine, and the delightful scent of roasting chestnuts. This is a lovely place to pick up a few locally-made treats.


14. Head to Malton Christmas Market

Malton Food Market.

Don’t miss this two-day Christmas Festival in Malton, the food capital of Yorkshire! It’s a wonderful chance to sample delicious festive treats and find unique handcrafted gifts for your loved ones.

The charming Market Place of Malton will burst with holiday cheer, making it ideal for the whole family. Look forward to delightful figgy puddings, award-winning macarons, mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, festive activities, local gin, and plenty more!


We’re imagining we have inspired you, and you’re already digging out your thermals and your biggest coat, ready to take a trip this Winter. We certainly will be!

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1 thought on “Things To Do In Whitby In Winter, 11 Winter Attractions & Activities”

  1. This Winter I am going to enjoy all of these activities. Although, winters don’t allow much outdoor activities, but I’ll try to plan a trip.

    Reply

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