A Guide to Whitby’s Top Beaches

Is there anything as lovely as a holiday at the beach? How about a stay at a picturesque seaside town, with quirky cottages, cobbled streets, beautiful architecture, and rich history? You can have all of this at Whitby, one of the best seaside towns in the UK, which has a wealth of amazing beaches from which to choose. Whether you are looking for family-friendly beaches in Whitby, waves good for surfing, perfect spots for sunbathing, or beaches where your dog can run free, Whitby has you covered. In fact, because there are so many beautiful beaches, it can be hard to find the perfect place to spend your time! You should really explore several, but to help you sort your options, we have created this guide to Whitby beaches, to help you decide which ones you want to visit.

Whitby’s Rich Coastal History

What is so special about Whitby? It has a fascinating history, as a place inhabited as early as the Bronze Age. Much of this history has been shaped by the town’s natural geographic position, on an ancient port where the River Esk meets the sea. The river divides the town into two sections, with the East Side being the oldest. There, you will find the Abbey, the founding point of the town, built in 656 AD. The town was one of the earliest centres of Christianity in England, a religiously significant place during the medieval period. The monasteries were dissolved in 1540, but the town remained, a small fishing community, until alum was discovered, mining begin, and Whitby became a place of maritime and commercial significance as well. By the mid-18th century, it was a town of busy shipyards, ropeworks, and sail yards, and the town’s favourite son, Captain James Cook, who began his maritime career as a merchant navy apprentice in the Whitby whaling fleet. Indeed, one of Whitby’s famous landmarks, just to the left of the famous Whalebone Arch, is a statue of Captain Cook, and if you are interested in learning more about this fascinating character, you can visit the Captain Cook Memorial Museum in Whitby, while you are there. In the mid-19th century, when the shipbuilding and whaling industries went into decline, the focus shifted on tourism, and on the West side of the river, new development began, with a promenade, bandstand, and luxury hotels. The town still bustled with activity, with a fishing fleet shipbuilding works, dry dock, and pleasure boats. Whitby is also famous for Whitby Jet, another gift from the sea, a gemstone formed during the Jurassic period and found in the cliffs along this particular stretch of North Yorkshire coastline. The coastline itself is dramatically beautiful, with rocky cliffs and the kind of scenery that inspires artists and authors. In fact, it was in Whitby that Bram Stoker found the inspiration to write his classic book, Dracula. This brought vampires into Whitby lore, and if you time your holiday just so, you can be in town for one of the two Goth Festivals held in Whitby each year.

Whitby Beach Guide

Of course, with all there is to see and do in Whitby, and all the ways in which water has shaped the town, there are few things better than the beach. Which are the best beaches in Whitby? Here are our picks:

• Whitby Sands Beach (West Cliff Beach)
  Running from Upgang Beach to the mouth of the River Esk, this is the most popular beach in the area, and it is just a short walk from the town centre. It is an imposing sandy beach with rocks, and has a line of colourful beach huts for hire, along with windbreaks and deckchairs. It is one of the most family friendly beaches, and is fairly dog-friendly during the off season. It is supported by lifeguards during the high season and has plenty of amenities, including a first aid centre, car parks, a skateboard area, public WCs, crazy golf, trampolines, pitch and putt, pony rides, and bumper boats.

  

• Sandsend Beach
  This sand and shingle beach is a wonderful spot for families, where there are abundant rock pools for children to explore, space to build sandcastles, and a section zoned off for swimming during the summer. Pack the buckets, spades, swimmers, and crab nets, and plan to enjoy this delightful beach all day! Be aware, though, that a strong riptide exists here. It is a popular spot for experienced surfers, but children and inexperienced swimmers should take care, to avoid being dragged along with the current. There are lifeguards during high season and paid parking available, with easy access to the beach. This beautiful stretch of sand is perfect for relaxing, away from the busier nearby beaches, but dogs are not permitted from May to September.

• Robin Hood’s Bay Beach
  This is one of the most dog friendly beaches in Whitby, with no restrictions on canine visitors at any time of year. Take a ball or a stick, and have a ball with your canine pal on this glistening golden stretch of sand, particularly at low tide. It is not really known how Robin Hood’s Bay got its name, as the outlaw reportedly never visited this beautiful spot, but there are certainly pirate legends to explore here, as well as ancient history dating all the way back to the dinosaurs. It is a sand and rock beach, with plenty of rock pools and a wide stretch of beach to explore when the tide goes out. All in all, it is a lovely place to take the family, with a promenade, cafes, restaurants, and independent shops nearby, though there are no lifeguards present.

• Saltwick Bay

This northeast-facing, sand and rock beach is about a mile east of Whitby, accessible via a footpath near the Whitby Holiday Park. It is not a beach for swimming, and the path that leads down from the cliffs can be slippery, but it is a wonderful place to hunt for fossils like belemnites and ammonites. Dogs are welcome all year, the beach is popular for fishing, and if you are lucky, you may be able to find Whitby jet in the rocks and shale on the ends of this secluded cove. The beach offers spectacular views and amazing geological finds, but be aware that it is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), so you must not hammer the bedrock or otherwise disrespect the space. The walk from Whiby to Saltwick Bay is pleasant and rewarding, featuring gorgeous scenery the whole way.

• Upgang Beach
  A small sand and shingle beach backed by cliffs, Upgang Beach lies between Sandsend and Whitby West Cliff beaches. It is accessible via steps and steep walkways built into the hillside overlooking the beach, accessed next to the Whitby Golf Course. It does not see a lot of tourists, but it is popular amongst surfers and for fishing. Because there are no restrictions on dogs, it is also a popular spot for people with dogs to walk with their furry friends. It has a more remote vibe than the busier beaches, near town, but you will need to go to one of those other beaches for facilities, and there are no lifeguards. It really is a hidden gem of a beach, though, and the surf is good for surfers of all skill levels.

Spend Your Whitby Holiday with Together Travel

Whether you want to visit one of these beaches, explore all of them, or simply enjoy the rich history of the town, Whitby is a beautiful place to visit in every season. When you plan a holiday to Whitby, is there a better place to soak in the ambiance of this picture-perfect coastal town than in a quaint old fisherman’s cottage? From our Abion Cottage, perfectly situated in the heart of Whitby, you can enjoy not just the beaches, but also the fine seafood, beautiful architecture, and rich history that makes this such a charming place to visit. Our pet friendly self-catering cottage features a well-equipped kitchen, comfortable furnishings, flat screen televisions, and two comfortable bedrooms, making it the perfect holiday lodging for a family of four. No matter where you want to travel in the UK, Together Travel Co. is here to bring your holiday dreams to life. We can even make your stay particularly special by helping you make arrangements for a special occasion or preordering a welcome hamper or breakfast hamper. To learn more about all we have to offer, contact our expert concierge team by emailing us for more information.