From its ancient origin, Whitby has in different periods prospered from monasticism, fishing, shipbuilding, whaling, jet jewellery and tourism. Reminders of this heritage abound: Whitby Abbey; the 199 steps which link it with the Old Town; Church Street; the harbour and pier; the Captain Cook Memorial Museum; and Pannett Park where you will find Whitby Art Gallery and Museum. Even the railway station deserves to be looked at.

Before George Hudson ("The Railway King") had his vision, to bring visitors to Whitby by train, people could travel to and from this town only by sea or across the vast North Yorkshire Moors, either of which had its perils. Hudson superintended the building of a railway line from Pickering, which opened in 1836, and commissioned George T Andrews to design the station at Whitby, which opened in 1847 (it is now a listed building).

The Endeavour, the ship on which Captain James Cook discovered Australia, was a Whitby-built collier – solidly constructed, flat-bottomed and capacious, therefore suitable for an epic voyage on the high seas.

Whitby Abbey

Find out more about visiting Whitby Abbey

Whitby Art Gallery and Museum

Pannett Park, Whitby, YO21 1RE
Tel: 01947 602908
Find out more about visiting Whitby Art Gallery and Museum

Captain Cook Memorial Museum

Grape Lane, Whitby, YO22 4BA
Tel: 01947 601900
Find out more about visiting the Captain Cook Memorial Museum

North Eastern Railway Tile Map

On Whitby station, to the left of the exit facing the harbour (East), there is a tiled map of the entire North Eastern Railway passenger system as it was at the beginning of the twentieth century.

This is one of just a few of these which survive. You can find out more about their manufacture and history on the North Eastern Tile Company website, as well as details of newly made replica tile maps, which are available in a range of sizes.

'A Sentimental Journey' (Whitby - Scarborough) 1966

This film documents the closure of Scarborough-to-Whitby railway line in 1965 as a result of the Beeching Axe.

Visit the Yorkshire Film Archive page to watch the film (approximately 12 minutes).

More about Whitby

See the events section on this website for information about: Goth Weekends; 1940s Festival; Whitby Regatta; Whitby Folk Week; Music & Ale Trains. Go to www.visitwhitby.com for news, events, restaurants, attractions and accommodation.

Walking

Esk Valley Walk

The Esk Valley Walk finishes at Whitby. More about the Esk Valley Walk.

The Cleveland Way

The 110-mile-long distance Cleveland Way passes through Whitby. The Cleveland Way National Trail Guide can be purchased at tourist information centres or online from the North York Moors National Park Authority. The Cleveland Way website provides information about places to visit along the route and full details of accommodation.

The Cinder Track

A walk/cycleway along the former Whitby-to-Scarborough railway line. Routemap and more about the Cinder Track project.

Whitby Walks

Walks around Whitby with storywalker Harry Collet.
www.whitbywalks.com

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