UK’s ‘best value seaside town’ is ideal for winter with cosy pubs and peaceful, crowd-free beaches

Winter is a wonderful time to visit Britain’s seaside towns, when you can enjoy quiet beaches, bracing coastal walks and welcoming pubs with roaring fires.

If you’re hoping for a trip that doesn’t break the bank, one Yorkshire seaside town might be just what you’re after.

This town has been named the UK’s best value seaside destination by Which?, earning top marks for both its food and accommodation.

Photo © habiloid (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Perched on dramatic cliffs where the River Esk flows into the North Sea, Whitby was awarded five stars by Which? readers for its dining and places to stay, and four stars for its attractions and lovely seafront.

The town has long drawn visitors with a taste for the mysterious. Bram Stoker was inspired to write parts of Dracula while holidaying in Whitby, and the town’s moody atmosphere still captures the imagination today.

In the novel, Whitby is where Dracula first arrives in England, climbing the steps to the graveyard of St Mary’s Church beside the haunting ruins of Whitby Abbey. Fans of gothic tales now flock to see these famous spots for themselves.

Visitors can follow in Dracula’s fictional footsteps by climbing the 199 steps from the harbour to St Mary’s, where sweeping views across the town and sea await at the top.

Photo © Jeff Buck (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Whitby Abbey, which dates back to the 7th century, was once home to Caedmon, one of the first known English poets. Today, it’s looked after by English Heritage and remains one of the town’s most iconic landmarks.

You can explore the abbey’s atmospheric ruins before heading into the museum, which displays ancient manuscripts and even a rare signed edition of Dracula.

Whitby is also famous for its Whitby Goth Weekend, held twice a year in spring and around Halloween. The festival celebrates gothic culture with live music, markets and eye-catching costumes that fill the streets with colour and creativity.

The town also has ties to the legendary explorer Captain James Cook, who lived in Whitby in the 18th century while training as a merchant navy apprentice. His story is told at the Captain Cook Memorial Museum, set inside his former home.

Whitby Beach offers the perfect traditional seaside day out, with bright beach huts, charming tearooms and some of the best fish and chips in Britain. Along the River Esk, you’ll find arcades, souvenir shops and the Whitby Marine Discovery Centre.

Remember - LeaveNoTrace!

As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!

Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.

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