Below is some of the events happening in 2024 and beyond in Whitby, further down a history of Whitby

More information is available at the visit Whitby website.

Events may change, please check with the event organiser for latest information

Headline Events for 2024

Whitby Goth Weekend

Spring 2024-april 26th to 28th [booked]
Autumn 2024 - november 1st to 3rd [booked]

A firm favourite date on the Whitby calendar is the Whitby Goth Weekend which is now over 20 years old and has clocked up over 40 Festivals. Goths from all over the UK and beyond flock to Whitby for this hugely popular bi-annual event which will usually run around Halloween each year. The main events are held in Whitby Pavilion with others in many pubs in Whitby.

The Whitby Regatta Weekend

Summer 2024 - 17th, 18th & 19th August 2024 [booked]

Summer 2025 - 9th, 10th & 11th August 2025 [available]

Summer 2026 - 8th, 9th & 10th August 2026 [available]

Summer 2027 - 14th, 15th & 16th August 2027 [available]

There’s nothing like being prepared!!

Four days of entertainment, embracing yacht racing, rowing races and various free forms of entertainment as published in the official programme, finishing with a prize presentation and spectacular firework display.

One hundred and seventy six years of aquatic competition and entertainment. The Whitby Regatta is probably the oldest sea Regatta on the northeast coast and has drawn large crowds into Whitby over the years.

Whitby Folk Festival

summer 2024 - Saturday 17th to Friday 23rd August [booked]

A seven day celebration of the traditional music, dance and song of the British Isles.

Boasting over 600 events from workshops, concerts, singarounds, dances, sessions, and street entertainment to the extensive 'fringe' events that spontaneously erupt, Folk Week is a funfilled festival for lovers of real music

The Tour de Yorkshire - In Whitby

The tour de Yorkshire spawned out of the legacy of the Tour De France grand depart which came through Whitby in 2014, due to the COVID pandemic a race has not been held since 2020 and talks to continue it have since broken down.

A new race is hoping to get off going in Yorkshire in 2024 and hopeuly will reignite the cyclst’s and fans from all over the country to visit Yorkshire and in particular we’re hoping the event comes to Whitby to recreate some of those electric scenes that had thousands flock to the seaside to see the peleton pass through!

Whitby Town Tour

For an amazing and unique feature-packed sightseeing tour of historic Whitby Town and Harbour, stepping on board the very popular and distinctive Open Top Double Decker Tour Bus is a “must do!. Its cheerful livery seaside/holiday colours of yellow, red and blue ensures it’s not missed, can be spotted from a good distance, and is eagerly awaited by queues of visitors waiting to be entertained with lots of interesting facts and stories, and most of all enjoy the fabulous sights and breath-taking views ahead of them.

Once you’ve purchased your ticket, so you can step on and off as many times as you wish throughout the day. The Tour operators will regale you with Yorkshire tales from a bygone era and inform you about lots of interesting facts about the Town along the route. Enjoy the magnificent seascape views and experience the narrow, winding streets as the Tour Bus steeply climbs its way up to the impressive ruins of one of Whitby’s most famous attractions – Whitby Abbey, with its new visitor facilities – a real “must visit” whilst in Whitby.

This service is run by Coastal & Country Coaches of Whitby, a family firm who have been serving the residents of Whitby and area for over 65 years.

Whitby Abbey & 199 Steps

Whitby Abbey

Whitby Abbey is a whole lot more than a spectacular looking cliff top landmark. Generations have been drawn to these well-known ruins for which this famous and world-wide known Abbey is a site of literary inspiration, religious devotion and pilgrimage. It is also known to be one of the most atmospheric visitor attractions along the Yorkshire coastline.

Whilst staying in the West Cliff area overlooking the Abbey ruins, back in 1890, Bram Stoker became totally inspired by the Abbey’s Gothic splendour , and it assisted him with creating the world-famous novel “Dracula”, with noting the atmospheric backdrop and taking in many features of the town including the Abbey ruins, the Church and tombstones, Whitby’s rooftops, and bats occasionally seen flying around, all adding to the atmosphere.

Visit the English Heritage website to find out about the many action-packed EVENTS throughout the year.

Dracula

You’ll be able to discover the Abbey’s long history. The first Abbey was originally founded in 657AD by the Saxon King of Northumbria. Check out the Interactive Visitor Centre with its digital reconstructions and learn about the daily lives of the Monks who once inhabited the later Abbey which was destroyed in 1540 via orders from Henry VIII. You can also listen to the audio tour when wandering around the ancient ruins and take in the stunning views all around

Whitby Pubs

Whitby has a fantastic selection of pubs, depending on what you fancy there is something for you.

2 great pubs are located just down from Spindletop Cottage, both offer great food, excellent ale and quiz nights!

More information about local pubs and services can be found clicking the link below

Ditto Restaurant

Currently ranked as Whitby's number 1 restaurant 'Ditto Restaurant Whitby'

Ditto is a longstanding local restaurant situated on the delightful Skinner Street in Whitby. With an exceptional reputation in the local area built up over ten years it is home to local chef Edward Hesketh.

Originating from the local village of Ravenscar, Edward has worked in various restaurants all across the country. Returning to the area, with his partner Anna and young daughter Amelia, Edward is excited to welcome guests to the restaurant and share his passion for food and Whitby.

Trenchers Fish & Chip Restaurant & Takeaway

Established in 1980, Trenchers seafood restaurant in Whitby is well known throughout the North of England for its traditional menu of fish and chips and many other seafood delights served all day throughout the year.

Serving fish of the finest quality, which is hand prepared on site and cooked fresh to order the Yorkshire way in traditional beef dripping.

We also pride ourselves in serving fresh salmon, crab and of course mouth-watering Whitby scampi. A restaurant favorite is the delicious steak pie and not forgetting the very popular homemade Trenchers fish pie and appetizing fresh crisp salads. There is also a variety of children’s meals to excite the younger taste buds.

Ideally situated on Whitby’s harbor side, Trenchers is the perfect setting for all of the family and parties of any size.

Or if you are just passing by, why not grab some tasty fish and chips from our adjoining takeaway.

Trenchers is currently ranked the highest fish and chip restaurant in Whitby!

More high ranking places to eat can be found by clicking the image below

A journey through Whitby featuring some of the sights and attractions...And Spindletop Cottage!

Whitby in history...

This is a lovely place. The little River Esk runs through a deep valley which broadens out as it comes near the harbour… The houses of the old town are all red-roofed and seem piled up one after the other anyhow…Right over the town is the ruin of the Abbey, a noble ruin of immense size. Between it and the town is another church, the Parish one, round which is a big graveyard, all full of tombstones. It descends so steeply over the harbour that part of the bank has fallen away, and some of the graves have been destroyed.

Such was Bram Stoker’s description of Whitby in his novel Dracula, published in 1897. The wonder is that the townscape has changed so little in more than a century. Whitby is an ancient port with a fascinating history, a ruined abbey and a working harbour. It also has sandy beaches, donkey rides and rock pools, not to mention some of the best fish and chips in the world.

The River Esk flows due North through the centre of the town dividing it into East and West Sides, linked by the renowned ”swing-bridge”. Whitby Abbey, St Mary’s Parish Church and the picturesque ‘old town’ lie on the East Side. The Abbey and Abbey Visitor Centre can be accessed by road, but most visitors follow the traditional route through the old town. The cobbled Church Street leads you to the foot of the famous 199 steps leading from the town to St Mary’s Church and the Abbey Headland.

The West Side of the town has some equally historic fishermens’ cottages, hidden in traditional yards behind the fish market and main shopping streets. Slightly further away from the noise and bustle of the harbour are many fine Georgian town-houses, built during Whitby’s most prosperous era in the days of sail. They cluster around the delightful Pannett Park, also home to the town Museum and Art Gallery. The Whalebone Arch and bronze statue commemorating Whitby’s most famous explorer, Captain James Cook, stand proudly on the West Cliff, facing directly across the harbour to the Abbey. James Cook learned his seamanship as an apprentice in Whitby and all of the ships used on his three world voyages of exploration were built on the banks of the Esk below.

The many hotels and guest-houses on the West Cliff were largely built during Victorian times when Whitby became a highly fashionable spa resort, visited by artists and writers including Turner, Lewis Carroll and Charles Dickens.