Why Visit Whitby in Winter?

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Summer visitors to Whitby love our sandy beach's and the simple pleasures of the ice-cream van, traditional donkey rides for the kids, the annual Folk Music Festival and the fun of Whitby Regatta.

The town is often packed in high summer.

But Whitby is now an all-year-round holiday destination.

Gone are the days when local businesses shut down at the end of September and remained closed 'til mid-March.

Abbey

Whitby is an all-weather, all-season holiday destination.

And people don't hibernate through the winter anymore.

Families or groups of friends now explore Whitby whatever the weather; and more people are booking cheaper low-season weekend winter breaks.

So why visit Whitby in winter? Here are just a few reasons!

Festive Season

Whitby's Georgian and Victorian architecture and street-scapes lend themselves to a very Dickensian Christmassy feel.

Not much can beat Christmas Carols in the atmospheric ruins of Whitby Abbey; Christmas-themed steam trains puffing out of Whitby station along the Esk Valley; the Christmas panto at the Pavilion; or the excitement of a Boxing Day dip in the North Sea!

Museums and History

Whitby is blessed with several fine Museums and historic sites of interest offereing great days out "indoors" if the weather is inclement.

The Captain Cook Museum, housed in a beautiful Georgian townhouse on Grape Lane is the very home where James Cook lodged in the attic when he was an apprentice seaman.

The museum celebrates Cook’s life and the work of those who sailed with him.

Endeavour2

Few Towns Offer the Rich History of Whitby.

And the Whitby Town Museum and Gallery in Pannet Park is an amazing museum and worthy of a town ten times the size of Whitby!

It's packed full of interesting curiosities and historical artifacts from this part of Yorkshire.

The monastic ruins of Whitby Abbey offer another fascinating and walkable destination with the added bonus of the best view in all of Yorkshire!

It doesn’t matter what the weather’s like, Whitby’s character shines through from the Abbey.

In fact, Whitby always looks its best when the skies are dark and dramatic.

Breaks with Children

Visitors with kids can also spend a good few entertaining hours by wrapping up warm and fossil-hunting or rock-pooling along the beach front to either side of the Pier-ends - just watch the tides!

And children will simply love the new play area located in Pannett Park at the top end of Flowergate.

It was even named Best Public Park in Yorkshire in 2014.

Whitby winter sunshine

Whitby Sparkles in Winter Sunshine in January 2015.

Foody Heaven

Whitby is World-famous for its fish 'n' chip restaurants. You simply have to try this traditional dish when next you're visiting Whitby.

But we also have a wide range of high-class fine dining experiences on offer - try Green's of Whitby or the renowned Magpie Cafe for great seafood.

Greens Whitby

Foodies Will Love the Choice's of Dining on Offer in Whitby.

Whitby Goth Weekend

The annual Goth Festivals come to Whitby over Halloween at the end of October and again in early spring; and offer two busy weekends at the 'shoulder' periods before Winter starts and ends.

Spyglass 1708

Spyglass 1708 is a fully refurbished 2-bedroom Grade II Listed holiday home located right in the heart of Whitby's conservation precinct.

Opened in July 2015, we can accommodate 4-6 people in comfort; with 1 1/2 bathrooms, a laundry annex, kitchen-diner, and the benefits of central heating!

We also have splendid views over the roof-tops of Whitby all the way to the Harbour and Abbey.

Book your Winter weekend or week-long break here.

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