Picturesque English seaside village that’s even better to visit in winter – and home to ‘world’s best fish and chips’
FROM bungee jumping off a viaduct to the ruins of a medieval abbey that inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Whitby has been named one of the best seaside towns to visit in the winter.
Travel writer Madeleine Bunting spent two years visiting coastal destinations across the UK.
She previously raved about Whitby to Sun Travel, saying it’s better to visit in the winter compared to peak summer months.
Madeleine who wrote, The Seaside: England’s Love Affair, previously told Sun Online Travel: “Whitby is better in the winter because there’s fewer crowds.
“There’s lots to see in Whitby too, so a winter time visit means no battling with crowds like in the height of summer.
“From long bracing walks along the beach to warm cafes and indoor attractions, there’s plenty to do in Whitby even in the winter.”
Set in Yorkshire, in the north of England, the seaside town of Whitby is a popular summer holiday destination among Brits.
It was even voted as a top holiday destination to visit in 2022 by Sykes Holiday Cottages.
The seaside town was made famous by Irish author Bram Stoker who was inspired to write his novel Dracula after visiting Whitby in 1890.
More specifically, the author is said to have been inspired by Whitby Abbey, an 11th-century medieval abbey that stands on the site of a much earlier abbey.
Nowadays, visitors can wander through the abbey ruins, following in Bram Stoker’s footsteps.
Entry tickets cost £11 for a full-paying adult, with children’s tickets costing £6.50.
There are plenty of other celebrities with ties to Whitby, including children’s author Lewis Carroll and award-winning actress Dame Judi Dench.
Both Carroll and Dench have been on holiday to escape their fame and relax.
If relaxing sounds like a bit of you, Madeleine recommends going on a long walk along the seafront with a warm cup of hot chocolate.
Meanwhile, adrenaline junkies will want to head to Larpool Viaduct – England’s only Bridge Bungee Jump.
On their website, they write: “From the Viaduct you’ll be greeted by the panoramic sights of Whitby, which includes a distinctive view of the historic Whitby Abbey, completed by the wandering River Esk below.”
Run by UK Bungee Club, the 150-ft leap of faith is run on select days throughout the year, including November 9 and December 21, 2024.
Experiences start from £99 per person.
Other attractions in Whitby include the Museum of Victorian Science, Captain Cook Memorial Museum and Whitby Distillery.
Visitors who are hungry after all that sightseeing will be relieved to know that Whitby is home to the best chippy in the UK.
Last year, hundreds of visitors on X (formerly Twitter) hailed the fish and chip shops in Whitby after one holidaymaker put out a Tweet asking for recommendations.
One person wrote: “It’s unique and lovely. Best fish ‘n’ chips in the world.”
Another added: “A Lovely place. Best fish and chips in the country.”
While this may be a bit of a stretch, one chippy in Whitby was named the best in the UK as recently as 2019.
Trenchers was voted the best place to get fish and chips in the country by the National Fish & Chip Awards.
The restaurant has been selling chippy teas since 1980 and boasts online about its “traditional menu of fish and chips, seafood and British dishes, served all day, every day, throughout the year”.
However, it’s not the only fried food vendor in the town to lay claim to the title of best in the nation, with The Magpie Cafe named number one by Time Out last November.
There are a range of overnight accommodation options in Whitby too like the Old Boatman’s Shelter – a beachfront hotel overlooking the West Pier.
Meanwhile, Number 7 Guest House is just 300 metres from Whitby Beach, making it ideal for anyone for beachgoers.
Whitby is a 36-minute drive from the popular seaside town of Scarborough.
Other UK seaside towns
Madeleine Bunting previously told Sun Online Travel about two other seaside towns that are better to visit in the winter rather than summer.
The travel writer encouraged Brit holidaymakers to head to Whitstable and Robin Hood’s Bay during the shoulder season rather than the height of summer.
She told Sun Online Travel: “Robin Hood’s Bay gets very crowded in the summer, but in the winter there’s more space in the village.
“Whitstable is better in the winter because there’s hardly any crowds”.
Five interesting facts about Whitby
ASIDE from inspiring famous authors and providing other celebs with a safe haven, there are plenty of other interesting facts about Whitby.
- Famous explorer Captain James Cook studied his seaman’s apprenticeship in Whitby
- After a bout of heavy rainfall, fossils have been known to wash up on Whitby Beach
- Once a popular Whaling Port, a Whalebone Arch can be found on the top of the West Cliff close the monument of Captain Cook
- Whitby is home to the best fish and chips in the UK, according to a group of experts
- The seaside town is said to be a hotbed of paranormal activity, with ghost hunters flocking from all over the world to hunt for ghosts.
Meanwhile, another northern seaside town has been nicknamed the Las Vegas of the UK and it has arcades, cabaret, and sandy beaches.
The traditional seaside town of Skegness has been likened to the American city for several years.