10 Family Things To Do In Whitby

Have you been wondering what there is to do for families in Whitby? Maybe you have been stuck for ideas that will be fun for everyone.

Our guide to 10 Family Things To Do In Whitby may just give you the inspiration you need. 

The Endeavour Experience

Climb aboard the full-sized replica of HM Bark Endeavour. And experience what life was like at sea in the days of Captain Cook.

The Endeavour Experience Whitby is so much more than just a Museum. Taking up permanent residence in Whitby Harbour The Endeavour sits grandly on the west side. With interactive experiences throughout the exhibition you can really learn the ropes of what life was really like onboard HM Bark Endeavour.

Learn about the man himself Captain Cook and his crew. Discover through the immersive and interactive experiences on board.

Learn more here.

Whitby Abbey

Whitby Abbey is perhaps the most iconic landmark on the Yorkshire coast. The Abbey dates back as far as 657AD. The magnificent gothic ruins of the Abbey dominate the East Cliff of Whitby and the Old Town. Standing proud at the top of the 199 steps overlooking the North Sea.

Today, Whitby Abbey is managed by English Heritage. Come and learn the history behind Whitby Abbey with an interactive guide. Find out how the Abbey was made famous by Bram Stoker’s novel ‘Dracula’. How Whitby Abbey was an inspiration to his novel after visiting in 1890.

Find out more about Whitby Abbey here.

Whitby Arcades

Get your 2p’s and 10p’s at the ready. You can’t visit Whitby and not spend some time in the Arcades. Tons of fun for the kids and so much nostalgia for the adults. What’s not to love? A trip to the arcades is a must.

Arcades are now so much more than just slot machines. In Whitby you will find our favourite Pirate Mini Golf. Ten Pin Bowling. Pool Tables and a kids Soft Play Centre. Definitely one for when the heavens open. 

Cliff Top Crazy Golf

Who doesn’t love a game of Crazy Golf? Who doesn’t love a game of Crazy Golf with a sea view and the gorgeous sounds of the waves?

Head up onto West Cliff to Arnold Palmer's Putting Course. Nine holes of Crazy Golf fun. You’ve got to be in it to win it.

For more information and updates head here.

Ride A Steam Train

Love the power of Steam? Take a trip back in time on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. NYMR is the largest heritage railway line and runs from Whitby through to Pickering. The line picks up stations at Grosmont, Goathland, Newton Dale and Levisham.

Sit back, relax and enjoy the North York Moors how you have never seen them before. Did we mention that Goathland Station is none other than Harry Potter’s Hogsmeade Station. You may also recognise it from the long running TV series Heartbeat as Goathland is Heartbeat country.

Look out for a character or two from channel 5’s series The Yorkshire Steam Railway: All Aboard.

It is also possible to book experiences with NYMR and you can find out more here.

Learn To Surf

Learn to Surf or Stand Up Paddle on the coast of Whitby and Sandsend. Whitby boasts some of the greatest surf conditions on the Yorkshire Coast.

Enjoy two hours of tuition for all the family together with your coach. You’ll be catching waves in no time. Enjoying the waves of the North Sea taking in the views.

Booking is a must and you can find out more here.

Already semi pros you can hire equipment from Whitby Surf School. So, you and your partner can get straight out there and ride those waves. 

Boat Trips

While at the seaside why not sit back, rest your feet and enjoy the gentle bobbing of the waves. Climb aboard one of the many boat trips running out of Whitby Harbour.

Catch a boat from the lower Whitby Harbour. Choose from:

Coastal Cruises

River Cruises

Sunset Cruises

Staithes Cruise

Sunset & Twilight Cruises

Looking to catch your supper you can also take a fishing trip.

Coastal cruises may offer a chance to see Seals, Sea Birds, Porpoises and maybe you’ll be lucky enough to see a Whale or two. 

For more info on fishing trips head here.

Ride The Open Top Bus

A fantastic way to see Whitby and learn a thing or two about the Town has to be the yellow Open Top Bus.

Tickets are valid for 24 hours allowing you to hop on and off as often as you like.

The whole guided tour takes about an hour in total.

Who doesn’t love a double decker bus, especially one with no roof?

Top Tip:

Don’t fancy the climb up the 199 steps to the Abbey? The Open Top Bus is the answer to your prayers. You can choose then to either meander on down the steps after or jump back on the bus.

Head here for the full timetable and up to date pricing. 

Whitby museum

Here you have four in one. Museum, Art Gallery, Museum Tearooms and a lovely tranquil park to wander around complete with a childrens play area.

Delve into Whitby Museum. Find out the gruesome tail of the Hand of Glory. Learn more about Captain Cook and his voyages. Dive into Whitby’s Whaling past. Look at fossils, old photographs of Whitby, Birds and Mammals.

You’re sure to find a collection here to meet everyone’s interests.

For opening times and admission charges find out more here.

Walk With Heritage Sculpture Trail

Around Whitby life sized sculptures have been popping up here and there. The new Heritage Sculpture Trail is a mix of sculptures created by Emma Stothard. You may be familiar with Emma from her sculptures created for the Staithes Art and Heritage Festival.

A mix of known characters from Whitby’s Past and representation of the many lives lived here in Whitby.

The trail will be accompanied by an app where you can learn all about the characters along the trail.

The Trail is aimed to take you off the beaten track slightly. Here you may see parts of town you may not have explored so much before.

For more information on the Trail and Emma Stothard visit the NYMNP website.

Robin Hood’s Bay

Perched on the coast between the surrounding cliffs of Scarborough and Whitby sits a Bay. The backdrop of the Bay is an old Yorkshire fishing village. This is Robin Hood’s Bay, the gem on the picturesque coastal edge of the North York Moors National.

Built on a steep hill the old 17th Century village heads down to the Bay. Winding streets, steep steps and cobbled alleyways make up what was once called Baytown. A maze of a village it’s easy to get lost here in Robin Hood’s Bay. Just all part of the magic of what makes it so special.

Just 7 miles from Whitby Robin Hood’s Bay is a great village for holidaying as a family. The beach is just moments away and great for rock pooling, fossil hunting and beach walks. There is an abundance of Pubs, Restaurants, Cafes, Eateries and Takeaways. You will also find lots of quaint little shops around the village.

A dog friendly village all year round Robin Hood’s Bay can accommodate your family and your pooch(es) in many ways. Dog Friendly cottages to Dog Friendly eating and drinking and everything in between.

Stay

Relaxing Coastal Escapes in Robin Hood’s Bay, North Yorkshire.

Sam and Sian have been helping you make memories and relax on the coast since April 2017.

Baytown Holiday Cottages is a small North Yorkshire Booking Agency specialising in the Robin Hood’s Bay area of the North York Moors National Park.

Two locals who know the area and the cottages inside Out. Their home, their workplace and their playground. Helping you find your escape by the sea.

So, why not stay for a while in one of the Best Robin Hood’s Bay Holiday Cottages.

Smaller properties are available from 2 nights and the larger properties from 3 nights. All dependent on the time of year. All of our cottages are priced accordingly throughout the year. All of our properties feature in size order. Largest to smallest as you scroll down the Accommodation Page.

For a quick look at our availability at any given time you can use our All Availability feature. Just click the green and yellow Check Availability button on the Home page of our website.