Places to Visit Around Whitby
As much as we love our hometown of Whitby, we also know there’s lots of fabulous places to visit nearby!
In fact, you probably can’t get around them all in one visit … you’ll just have to come back for a return stay soon.
In no particular order, we’ve listed some of our favourite spots where you can while away a few hours. From bustling resorts to tiny villages to rocky outcrops, you’ll be amazed at the variety of the landscapes and experiences which can all be reach from the Riviera Guesthouse here in Whitby.
You could also read our 20 Best Walks blog which will give you some pedestrian inspiration as to how you can explore some of these places!
Boggle Hole
Yes, this oddly named place is not a village out of Harry Potter!
Located between Robin Hoods Bay and Ravenscar, this delightful cove has a narrow, steep road to get to it and you’ll need to park at the top of the village rather than drive down to the beach.
Looked after by the National Trust and with the Cleveland Way National Trail passing through it, Boggle Hole is a place of tranquillity and peace.
Ravenscar
A Roman signal station, this was once going to be a resort, rather like Scarborough. However, although streets and sewers were laid out, the development ‘went no further’. It has connections to alum (dye) works and is also the start and terminus of the tough Ravenscar Half Marathon and the end point of the Lyke Wake Walk.
Falling Foss and May Beck
With its pretty waterfall and moorland surroundings, this is popular with walkers throughout the year. Most of the walks are through woodland and these are soothing, relaxing places to while away a few hours.
Goathland
So, this is where the Harry Potter connection is very, very real! Eagle-eyed movie fans will spot Goathland station in the famous film franchise, in which it becomes Hogsmead Station.
Follow the Rail Trail to Grosmont or follow the path to Mallyan Spout waterfall.
You can also follow the trail to Beck Hole, just a mile away. And if you love TV’s Heartbeat, then you’ll know Goathland becomes Aidensfield in the famous televised version of the books written by Nicholas Rhea.
Kirkbymoorside
A truly traditional market town that is friendly as it is picturesque. It is famous for its own brass band and the annual Ryedale Show takes place nearby.
Pickering
A market town that includes a stunning castle, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and one that is steeped in history. A mixture of independent shops, places to eat, and not forgetting the Beck Isle Museum, you can easily spend the whole day here.
Cropton
A gorgeous village with a motte and bailey castle and home to a famous local brewery, about three miles from Pickering.
Thornton le Dale
Just a few miles from Pickering, this low-lying village is built alongside Thornton Beck and includes one of the few thatched cottages in the area.
A delightful mix of shops, pubs, cafes, and delicious ice creams, this village is chocolate-box pretty and attracts visitors all year round.
It gets a mention in the Domesday Book, and it is often thought to be Yorkshire’s prettiest village.
Dalby Forest
Part of the Great Yorkshire Forest, Dalby Forest is breathtakingly beautiful with its woodland landscapes. It includes 13 walking trails, 6 cycling trails, 4 running trails, 2 play areas, Go Ape, a visitor centre and an activity centre.
Helmsley
A lovely market square, with a castle and a stately home being just some of the attractions of Helmsley.
Lots of foodie shops, bookstores, antiques, and walking a-plenty from this desirable location. The town is the official start of the Cleveland Way.
Osmotherley
Popular with walkers tackling the Cleveland Way and the Lyke Wake Walk, there is a tiny village green, and Mount Grace Priory is close by.
Stokesley
Another charming market town, it hosts the Stokesley Agricultural Show, thought to be the largest in Northern England. It also hosts regular farmers’ markets. This town is on the very edge of the county of North Yorkshire.
Malton
Self-named at Yorkshire’s Food Capital, this town is quirky and quaint with a mix of high street shops and boutique stores.
With Malton Food Lovers Festival now firmly on the foodie ‘things to do’ list, if you love grub, then this place is for you!
The town also has connections to the Roman era, author Charles Dickens and horse-racing.
Filey
Famous for its Brigg and its sweeping, golden sands, Filey is one of the most traditional seaside resorts in Yorkshire. Think donkey rides, ice creams and fish and chips!
The town has its own museum celebrating its fishing industry links and has one of the prettiest promenades along the Yorkshire Coast.
It also hosts its own Filey International Food Festival several times a year.
Cayton Bay
A surfer’s paradise (experienced surfers only), this hidden-away location is reached by steep steps and is extremely picturesque.
Be careful of the tides, as the sea completely covers the beach and does so rapidly.
A truly hidden place that includes a woodland approach.
Scarborough
Often thought to be UK’s first seaside resort, you can enjoy the trappings of the ‘kiss me quick’ experience with 2p slots and more … let’s face it, these can be great fun! Yet there’s so much more to the town.
It’s historic Spa in the South Bay is host to some of the most famous musicians including Jools Holland.
The North Bay includes the Open Air Theatre which has attracted Kylie Minogue, the Kaiser Chiefs and many more to its stage.
Other ‘must do’ things include the North Bay Railway, a perfect miniature version of the real thing; the Castle, which can be traced back to the 12thCentury; and Alpamare, the indoor/outdoor water theme park.
Peasholm Park is also a firm favourite.
Forge Valley
On the outskirts of Scarborough, Forge Valley is a deep gorge that includes a river running down the centre of it and which attracts a plethora of wildlife.
Walks abound in the woodland which clings to the steep valley sides.
Hunmanby Gap
A truly hidden gem along the Yorkshire Coast with vast open views of golden sands and the North Sea.
Not far from the large village of Hunmanby, which is also worth a visit.
Cloughton
Pronounced Clowton, this is a large village that includes a couple of pubs and a post office. It is close to some great walking, including the Cinder Track and the Cleveland Way National Trail.
Cloughton Wyke is a gorgeous ‘horseshoe cove’ which needs some muscle power to get to and from!
Robin Hoods Bay
This stunning village needs little introduction! Its red rooves, steep descent/ascent, clifftop views and quirky shops make it a honeypot for holiday makers.
The village has many a tale to tell, being the haunt of smugglers and other seafaring trades.
It is a place where you can forget your worries for a while as you wander along its cobbled streets.
Staithes
A bit further up the coast from Whitby, Staithes is home to the Captain Cook and Staithes Heritage Centre.
It is a small village that hugs the coastline. Idyllic in the summer, you can easily imagine the stormier seas of the winter months.
Runswick Bay
This tiny village has made a name for itself with water sports and also for walkers as the Cleveland Way National Trail slices through it. Timeless and tranquil.
Saltwick Bay
Worth the walk to this place at low tide, particularly if you love marking the summer solstice. It is one of the few places along the Yorkshire Coast where, on the longest day, the sun rises and sets over the sea.
Glaisdale
With its velvety green aspect, this village is also famous for Beggars Bridge with its romantic tale to tell!
This village is situated on the River Esk.
Castleton
Not far from Danby, this North York Moors village is located in the Upper Esk Valley. The village includes a high street, so is a great place to stop off while touring the North York Moors National Park.
Ruswarp
This village, just a couple of miles away from Whitby, includes a miniature railway, some pleasure boats and a 9-hole golf course.
Sandsend
A small fishing village with a sandy beach. Enjoy fresh seafood, go fossil hunting, and is fantastic if you love history as this village has an impressive past.
Egton
A haven for wildlife – otters, kingfishers and other creatures love this village! The village is also host to Egton Show once a year and despite the petite size of the village, the show is a large event and well worth attending.
Sleights
Another surprisingly lovely place to visit, it’s a location that walkers love. There is also a salmon leap here. You can spot the fish swimming upstream at certain times of year.
Roseberry Topping
This distinctive peak is one of the highest in the area. Close to Great Ayton, this hill has a half-cone shape, and it was here that Captain Cook played as a young boy.
Famous for its wildlife, the views are jaw-dropping and includes the vista of North Yorkshire and Cleveland.
So, this is our list … so far! We are sure to add some more places to the list, so keep having a look.
We are so lucky here at the Riviera Guesthouse to have these places to visit. True, in the summer we don’t have the time … but we would encourage all our lovely guests to visit at least some of these places while they stay here.
