Fall in love with the seaside (Whitby in general)

Member Name: mtpatton

Product:	Whitby in general
Date:	19/02/09 (198 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Beautiful, fish n chips, lots to do, from a bygone age

Disadvantages: Hilly, a bit remote

What can anyone say about whitby, the small seaside town I was born in, that hasnt been said already - it is truely breath-taking. With its famous Abbey situated high on the cliff top. Why not climb the 199 steps (local folklaw is that you have to count the steps and will never reach the same number of steps upon completion twice) and explore the vistor centre.
The habour usually has a replica of a historic boat, as captain cook worked out of the port, moored up for tourists to look around. There is the chance to go on many boating or fishing cruises from the main harbour. One of the boat cruises is to go on board of one of the old lifeoats that was used along the whitby coast. These sightseeing trips generally last 30-45minutes and go outside the three piers that protect the town from the rough north seas and are well priced. There is also a bus tour of the town with a difference. The bus is from the 1960's and really highlights how Whitby is still a place stuck beautifully in the past.

Dracula is another of whitby's famous connections. According to Bram Stoker's story Dracula landed on the beach from the ship wrecked ship and then disappeared as a wolf shaped creature. There is a small attraction call "the dracula's experience" which should put the frights up most people and is reasonably priced. While there are a couple of ghost walking tours that i'm to scared to experience.
Whitby offers a wide selection of pubs. Pubs like the Big A, Bar 7, the shambles and Rosies are popular among the younger revellers. While the list of family orienated places is endless. The only problem is that when all of these pubs close at midnight there is sadly very little to do.

So what's my favourite thing about my home town? Its got to be the Fish n Chips. Purely fantastic! There are loads of chippies within the town and there are very few places which serve bad ones. Try a little place on baxtergate called Fusco's. This is the chippy that I was brought up on and still visit now. Its about £6 to sit down for a massive piece of fish, chips, bread and butter and a drink (tea/coffee/coke). You can even ask for a plate of scraps for nothing! Other eateries to visit are the Magpie, Harbourside and Trenchers. The magpie always has a massive queue outside it in the summer month so you may have to wait a while, but they also do take-away from next door.
There are the usual things to do in a seaside town. There is a 3 mile sandy beach that runs from Whitby to Sandsend. Why not try and find some of the Whitby Jet that Queen Victoria loved and can only be found along this particular part of the coast line while taking a stroll along the beach? There are lots of musuems, Aracdes and of course one of the british favourite past times - Crazy golf!

Whitby is also witihn the North York Moor's and many interesting villiages can be found within a ten mile radius. There are the coastal villiages of Runswick, Staithes and Robin Hoods bay. While by going inland slightly you reach Danby, Grosmont, Glaisdale and Goatland or Aidensfield as it is better known as a result of heartbeat fame. This is well worth a visit and whilst there why not ride the stream train to really travel back in time. All of the villages offer something slightly different from beaches to Musems.
I have lived in numerous places around England, but there is only one place that I can see myself ending up living in - Whitby. I visit twice a year and I know that it will still look as good as it does now in 30years time when i can retire and really enjoy T'ord spot (A local name for the town which means the old place)

Summary: hidden gem on the north yorks coast that is completly different (and better) then Scarborough