Destination guides > Europe > England > Yorkshire > North Yorkshire > North York Moors National Park > Whitby
Whitby
This seaside town in the North York Moors has more to offer than the average English seaside resort. For a start it is home to the majestic Whitby Abbey, which overlooks the historic old town with its narrow cobblestone streets. Whitby has also been home to many famous people including Captain James Cook and writers Bram Stoker and Lewis Carroll.
Practical information
Whitby Tourist Information Centre
Langborne Road, Whitby
Tel (01723) 383637
Open Jan-Apr 10am-12.30pm & 1pm-4.30pm daily; May-Sep 10.30am-5.30pm daily; Oct-Dec 10am-12.30pm & 1pm-4.30pm daily
Coming & going
BUS & COACH
Arriva buses connect Whitby with nearby towns. Buses 93, 93A and 93B go to Middlesbrough and Scarborough, bus X60 goes to Newcastle and bus X61 goes to Durham.
TRAIN
Northern trains run from Whitby to Middlesbrough and Newcastle.
Hostel accommodation
Harbour Grange Backpackers
Spital Bridge, Whitby
Tel (01947) 600 817
YHA Whitby
East Cliff, Whitby
Tel (01947) 602 878
Sightseeing, museums & tourist attractions
Captain Cook Memorial Museum
Captain Cook lived in this house while serving his seaman’s apprenticeship. It is now a museum with exhibits relating to Cook’s achievements and artefacts from his voyages.
Grape Lane, Whitby
Tel (01947) 601 900
Website www.cookmuseumwhitby.co.uk
Admission £4
Open Mar Sat-Sun 11am-3pm; Apr-Oct 9.45am-5pm daily
Whitby Abbey
The haunting ruins of Whitby Abbey is perched high on a hill overlooking Whitby and the abbey is accessible by climbing 199 steps from the old town. St Hilda founded Whitby Abbey in 657 and it is here in 664 that an agreement on the date of Easter was reached between the Synod of Celtic and Roman Christians, however Vikings destroyed it in 857 and the present structure was built in 1078. The Abbey’s visitor centre houses a museum with artefacts tracing the site’s history.
Tel (01947) 603 568
Admission £4.20
Open Jan-Mar Mon & Thu-Sun 10am-4pm; Apr-Sep Mon & Thu-Sun 10am-4pm; Oct-Dec Mon & Thu-Sun 10am-4pm
Whitby Museum
This museum has exhibits on local history including Jurassic fossils and displays about Captain Cook and whaling.
Pannett Park, St Hilda’s Terrace, Whitby
Tel (01947) 602 908
Website www.whitbymuseum.org.uk
Admission £3
Open Jan-Apr Tue 10am-1pm, Wed-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 2pm-4pm; May-Sep Mon-Fri 9.30am-5.30pm, Sat-Sun 2pm-5pm; Oct-Dec Tue 10am-1pm, Wed-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 2pm-4pm
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