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Two Nights In Whitby, Your 48 Hour Whitby Itinerary

How do you spend your time during a two-night break in Whitby? Plan your action-packed 48 hours with our handy two nights in Whitby itinerary.

A short break can be just the ticket if you need a little time away from the day-to-day grind of life to relax and unwind. And what better place to take that break in than Whitby? After all, this is a town full of heritage, seaside treats, and activities; it’s the perfect place to take a break.

It goes without saying that whilst in Whitby, you will want to make the most of it. You will want to see the sights, taste the cuisine, and take in everything this town offers; who wouldn’t? So with that in mind, we have created a short guide of things we think you should see during your stay in Whitby. It includes museums, restaurants, landmarks and experiences you don’t want to miss!

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Whitby West Pier Lighthouse

Day One – Explore these 7 landmarks and wander around the shops

Regarding landmarks, Whitby has more than its fair share making them an excellent feature to build a tour of the town around. History, mystery, fresh air, and exercise await you if you choose to see these sites.

1. Whitby Lighthouses

Whitby Pier Lighthouses

Whitby Lighthouses are positioned at the end of the West and East piers and mark the harbour entrance to Whitby. They have stood in their positions since 1831 and 1855, respectively and played a huge part in guiding ships safely into the Whitby port. Standing at 73 feet, the West Lighthouse is the tallest of the two industrial and distinctive lighthouses. It is open to the public during the summer when you can climb to the top and share the fantastic views with swooping seagulls.

2. Whalebone Arch

Whitby Whalebone Arch

Originally erected around 1853 using an authentic whalebone jaw, The Whalebone Arch pays homage to both the fishing and whaling industry Whitby was once famous for. This industry ran between the 18th and early 19th century, with Whitby being one of England’s largest ports. The original whalebone was replaced in 1963 by a replica archway donated to Whitby from Norway and then again in 2003 with a replica given by Alaska. The whalebone arch is hugely popular as a hotspot for Whitby holiday snaps.

3. Captain Cook Memorial

Captain Cook Statue The Red Hat Ghost Walk

With huge ties to Whitby, it is not surprising that there would be a statue of one of the most famous Captains of all time here. After all, not only did Captain Cook learn his maritime trade whilst living and working in Whitby, but also his most famous ship, the Endeavour, was built there. The Captain Cook memorial is a bronze statue paying homage to the great man and the men who built and sailed ships here. These include Endeavour, Resolution, Adventure, and Discovery.

4. The Caedmon Memorial

Caedmon Cross

The Caedmon memorial stands in front of St Mary’s Church and overlooks Whitby. It is a form of an Anglican cross unveiled to the public in September 1898. According to Bede, an 8th-century historian, Caedmon was a man who cared for the Abbey’s animals. He also wrote the earliest English poem attributed to an author and claimed to obtain his poetry from dreams. Unfortunately, only one of his written works still survives, a poem named ‘Caedmon’s Hymn.’

5. St Mary’s Church

St Marys Churchyard Header

Founded around 1110 AD, St Mary’s Church stands beneath Whitby Abbey but at the top of the 199 Steps. It is a grade one listed building with interiors dating back to the 1700s and a graveyard that has made it into the pages of fiction. For example, Bram Stoker used St Mary’s Graveyard in his famous novel Dracula in 1890. In it, he describes a hound that is seen disappearing among the creepy and weather-beaten gravestones after the grounding of the Russian ship, the Demeter. Unsurprisingly, this graveyard is a popular site for photographs, especially during the twice annually Goth Weekend.

6. The 199 Steps

Whitby 199 Steps

The 199 Steps have to be one of the most famous landmarks of Whitby, with many a visitor challenging another to climb and count them. This has led to debate over the number of steps, with some claiming 198 and others 200. Unlike possibly the number, the history of the Whitby steps remains the same. They were built out of wood at an unknown date and changed to Sneaton stone in 1774. They are thought to have been used by St Hilda of Whitby Abbey to prove faith. If you climbed the steps, you were faithful to God, a feat which anyone who has climbed them will agree is tiring. Even more so, I would suggest, before they were built of stone.

7. Whitby Abbey

Whitby Abbey

Undoubtedly one of the most celebrated sights in North Yorkshire, Whitby Abbey looks down upon Whitby from its position high. It is iconic, formidable, and perhaps even a little intimidating, especially when viewed in the dark. Originally a Benedictine monastery founded in 657, Whitby Abbey was transformed into a stunningly beautiful 13th-century church. But, unfortunately, it is now little more than a shell, thanks to Henry VIII’s reformation in which he stripped it of all its worth.

Shopping

Henrietta Street

If you’re not too tired after your tour of Whitby, we highly recommend you hit the massive array of weird, wonderful, and unique shops. Many of these are independent and fabulous, and you won’t find them anywhere else.

Many of the best shops in Whitby can be found within the Captain Cook District, such as ‘Natural Wonders’, where you can purchase your fossil. You also don’t want to miss the plethora of Whitby Jet jewellers that are dotted all over Whitby. Here you will find a fantastic array of necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and accessories made out of this wonderfully dark and mysterious gem. Established in 1860 and classed as the original Whitby Jet shop, W.Hamond offer an incredible selection of Whitby Jet jewellery. 

Day Two – Museums and experiences

For many, weather permitting, a lazy day on the beach, visiting the amusements, and walking the promenade, will be all they require or want on day two of their visit to Whitby. However, there will be others who want to do a little more exploring, and what better way to do that than by visiting a museum or two?

Whitby Museum

Whitby Museum

Located within the gorgeous and beautifully landscaped Pannett Park, Whitby Museum is home to a collection of items and artefacts donated to them over two hundred years. It is the perfect place to learn about Whitby’s history, with many exhibits dedicated to local heritage. Collections include exhibits relating to the Scoresby whaling family of Whitby, Captain James Cook, fossils, jet, toys, costumes, and jewellery. There is even perhaps a little gory, an example of a ‘hand of glory.’ These were the hands of executed criminals made into grotesque candles and used by other criminals to light their way.

More information: Click here

RNLI Lifeboat Museum

Whitby Lifeboat Museum

The RNLI Lifeboat museum is located within a Victorian double boathouse and celebrates the history of Whitby’s lifeboats. It is a treasure trove of paintings, medals, photos, and mementoes from some of the town’s most famous rescues and shipwrecks.

More information: Click here

Captain Cook Memorial Museum

Captain Cook Memorial Museum

Located in a 17th-century house down Grape Lane, the Captain Cook Memorial Museum is a place, no surprises here, dedicated to celebrating the great man himself. Captain Cooks’s former home was also where he lodged as an apprentice learning maritime skills.

Collections include a variety of letters written by Captain Cook and to him, South Seas paintings, replica model ships, maps, and much more.

More information: Click here

The Dracula Experience

The Dracula Experience in Whitby

Let’s be honest and admit that no trip to Whitby would be complete without a little Dracula thrown in the mix! He is an iconic, albeit fictional, integral part of the town’s history. Everyone likes a spooky or scary story to keep them awake at night, right? The Dracula Experience is a unique tour through eight scenes from the original novel written by Bram Stoker around 1891. It is interactive with live actors and has animated backgrounds and electronic special effects. Scenes include the crazy Wrenfield locked up within the asylum and Lucy walking in the moonlight near Whitby Abbey on her way to a rendezvous with the count himself.

More information: Click here

Time for food!

I bet you thought we would never get round to feeding you whilst you are on your short break? We are going to share some of our favourite eating spots with you. Whitby has it all and more if you are looking for just a spot of lunch, a fancy afternoon tea, a romantic meal, or fish and chips to eat on the move. There is something to suit everyone, with all dietary requirements being catered for. 

1. Moutreys

Moutreys Restaurant Review

A classic Italian restaurant serving homely cuisine from an open kitchen with a wood-fired oven. Here you can choose from pasta, pizzas, meat dishes, and seafood in a comfortable but luxurious setting. Moutrey’s is perfect for a celebration night out, a romantic meal for two, and family dining.

Learn more: Read our review of Moutrey’s here

2. The Fisherman’s Wife

The Fishermans Wife

The Fisherman’s Wife is undoubtedly one of the best fish restaurants in all of Whitby. As an added bonus, it also has one of the best sea views of the bay. They have over fifty years of experience combining the best that the sea and fields of Yorkshire have to offer, including traditional and yummy fish and chips.

More information: Click here

3. Bothams Bakery

Bothams Cafe

If afternoon tea is on the agenda, then we suggest you head for the glorious tea rooms of Bothams Bakery. Everything is made to a traditional recipe and from the freshest ingredients, from their freshly cut sandwiches to their sultana scones and fancy cakes. You can also take away a variety of treats such as biscuits, plum bread, cakes, and pork pies.

More information: Click here

4. Humble Pie n Mash

Humble Pie N Mash

Whilst Whitby is renowned for serving some of the finest fish and chips; it is not the only tasty lunchtime treat they have to offer. Instead, there is also the Humble Pie n Mash shop. Here you can choose from homemade delights such as Romanity Hommity, slow braised steak and stout, and for those who are vegetarian, roast vegetable and goats cheese.

More information: Click here

5. Trillos Ice Cream

Trillos Ice Cream in Whitby

Finally, no trip to the seaside would be complete without the sweet treat of ice cream, and in Whitby, Trillos serves the best. This is no surprise since they have over a hundred years of experience doing so under their belt; they are masters of their trade. Flavours include the classic favourites and oddities such as blackcurrant and liquorice, cookies and cream, and the incredible amaretto and black cherry.

Grab your Trillos ice cream from the hut down by the bandstand or the Trillos ice cream van, which can be found on the West Cliff by the Whale Bones.

Enjoy your two-night break in Whitby!

We hope the above suggestions help you plan your two nights in Whitby. There is plenty to cram into your 48-hour trip. If you have any suggestions, please comment below. Have a great time in Whitby.

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