Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

The wonderful seaside town of Whitby is situated on the east coast of North Yorkshire, England. Located at the mouth of the River Esk, Whitby has been a bridging point since medieval times as several bridges have spanned the river.

Whitby has been known to be a tourist destination for some time now. The first traces of tourism date to the Georgian period, which developed with the arrival of the railway in 1839. People opt to visit Whitby mainly because of its proximity to the North York Moors National Park and its association with the horror novel “Dracula.” The village has also been featured on British TV shows such as “Heartbeat.”

16 Places to See in Whitby, England

When it comes to walks around Whitby, you are totally spoilt for choice—you needn’t worry about ability or experience—with so many options, there is sure to be a walk around that is perfect for you.

The following places are all FREE to visit, except for Whitby Abbey!

Visit the Harbor and Spot the Lighthouses

While many towns center on a market square, Whitby’s heart is its harbor. It all began by the early 1300s, when merchants from all over Northern Europe sailed to Whitby to trade with the wealthy Abbey. The harbor is home to two lighthouses. The taller lighthouse is West Pier Lighthouse, made from local sandstone and built in 1831. The shorter lighthouse is the East Pier Lighthouse, and it was built in 1855. There is also a third lighthouse lying Southwest of Whitby—the Whitby High Lighthouse, which has been in function since 1858.

Walk Around Sandgate Street

Sandgate Street is the perfect place to find a selection of Whitby Jet Shops. Furthermore, the Market Place located at the end of the street has been a trading area since the mid 17th Century and you will still find stalls today.

Wander around Church St

Originally known as Kirkgate, Church Street is home to several shops and restaurants. You will also find cottages and tiny houses dating back to the 15th Century here—although it is thought the Street first had buildings in the late 14th Century. You will find Church Street below the 199 steps leading up to Whitby Abbey. If you are hungry, I recommend stopping by and having dinner at Mister Chips!

Check out this beautiful holiday cottage on Church St!

Discover Blackburn’s Yard

Whitby’s yards are rows of 17th and 18th Century cottages tucked behind main streets. You will find the lovely Blackburn’s Yard off Church Street. This yard has been granted several awards such as “Perfect Picture Yard” and “Whitby’s Best Kept Garden” throughout the years. Here, you can visit the Wash House Pottery where they sell beautiful pottery and ceramics.

Spot the Crooked Cottage

This 400-year-old cottage is situated next to the 199 steps leading up to Whitby Abbey and St Mary’s Church. People can actually book the cottage and stay here. The building sleeps up to five people and it offers gorgeous views of the harbor from the upstairs rooms. What makes this building fascinating is its colors and quirkiness!

Wander around Grape Lane

Grape Lane is a quaint pedestrianized lane where you’ll find a surprising selection of retailers including a jet shop, a coffee shop, a gift shop, and the ever popular Captain Cook’s Memorial Museum, in between others.

Walk on Henrietta St

This popular street was once known as ‘Haggerlythe’ (1270) but was later renamed after the wife of Nathaniel Cholmley, Henrietta Cholmley. Nathaniel was a member of the British parliament in the late 1700s. Back in the day, Henrietta Street was considered a desirable place to live (especially by fishermen) because it provided easy access to the sea and offered some of the best views in the village. Today, things are not much different. The view of the harbor and the abbey are simply amazing from this viewpoint!

To book a cottage on Henrietta St, check out the Captain’s Cottage and Honeyz Hideaway

Go Up the 199 Steps

Whitby’s 199 steps have been recorded since at least 1370 and, up until the 1770s, they were made of wood. Today you will find they are made of stone. The 199 steps are an iconic landmark leading all the way up to Whitby Abbey widely known because of their appearance in the book ‘Dracula’ by Bram Stoker!

Visit the St Mary’s Church and Churchyard

St Mary’s stands atop Whitby’s East Cliff, between the village and the ruins of Whitby Abbey. You can reach it by climbing the famous 199 steps or taking the Donkey Road. Founded around 1100 AD, St Mary’s is famous for its association with Captain Cook, who worshipped here, and with Bram Stoker’s vampire novel, Dracula. The Churchyard offers a peaceful space to wander around and, from there, you can soak in a one-of-a-kind view of the Abbey.

Visit Whitby Abbey

The ruins of Whitby Abbey are among the most celebrated sights of North Yorkshire. The first monastery to take place in the abbey was founded in about 657. The Abbey has been inspiring visitors for nearly 1500 years with its stories of saints, poets, and Dracula. The site also offers fantastic views of the coast, a fascinating museum, and wide open grounds to roam.

You can book your ticket to Whitby Abbey here

Walk Down to the Village through The Donkey Road

The steep and cobbled Donkey Road parallels the famous 199 steps and leads up to the previously mentioned Whitby Abbey. Historically, it was on this track the beach donkeys walked on their way to perform their arduous beach chores. Nowadays this is not so, as the donkeys are carried to and from their field on the Abbey Plain by small trucks.

Walk Along Pier Road

Located in West Whitby, Pier Road leads to the main beach. The road is filled with amusement arcades, ice cream stalls, and fish and chip shops. There is also a fish market here!

Visit the Whitby Whalebone Arch

The original Whalebone Arch was placed on Whitby’s West Cliff in 1853, but was replaced in 1963 with a replica from Norway and then again in 2003. The arch perfectly frames the ruins of Whitby Abbey and makes for a great picture spot. The story of the Whalebone Arch is an exciting one. In the 18th and 19th Centuries, the whaling industry was thriving in Whitby. Many ships sailed to Greenland to hunt these leviathans and then sell their lucrative whale oil. Many of those ships never came back. The Arch stands in place as a reminder of Whitby’s past.

Walk on Cliff St

Cliff Street offers some lovely views of the coast and village down below. It is a beautiful street to wander around with many places to rent for the night, such as this cottage. From Cliff Street, you are literally minutes away from the town center, the pier, the beach, and all the other amenities Whitby has to offer.

Spot the Robert Lennard House

The Robert Lennard House stands on the narrow Cliff Street. It was apparently built by Robert as the headquarters of his businesses of architect, builder, and antique dealer. Outside of the building, you will find a blue plaque with the date of construction (1888). Stop by and admire the beautiful architecture, especially the details surrounding the bay window across the corner!

Visit the Alice in Wonderland Garden

Created by the Whitby in Bloom Group, this small but charming garden is located on Cliff Street (next to the car park) and is the perfect spot for both visitors and residents to take a rest and enjoy the view. The Alice-themed garden includes large playing cards inscribed with quotes from the novel, an elegant archway, and a giant ‘stopwatch’ seat. The garden forms part of the White Rabbit Trail in town, which you can purchase in the Tourism Information Center.

Despite an association with all things spooky—goth festivals, Bram Stoker, and decrepit abbeys—Whitby remains one of the most popular seaside towns in England. Visit this page to book a self-guided or private tour of the village!