Whitby

Gothic abbey ruins crowning windswept cliffs tell only half of Whitby's story. Below in the harbour, fishing boats still bring in the day's catch while jet shops line cobbled streets that Bram Stoker once wandered, gathering inspiration for Dracula.

The 199 steps up to St Mary's Church and Whitby Abbey remain a proper workout, but the views across the North Sea are well worth the climb. Captain Cook learned his trade in these waters before setting off to discover Australia, and his legacy runs deep through the town's maritime quarter.

Robin Hood's Bay Museum sits just down the coast - a brilliant little collection that captures the area's smuggling past. The coastal path between Whitby and the bay makes for cracking walking, with dramatic clifftop views and the chance to spot seals basking on the rocks below.

Inland, the North York Moors stretch away in all directions. Ancient burial mounds like Beacon Howe and Jugger Howe dot the landscape, reminders that people have called this place home for thousands of years. The old forests around Pricky Bank Wood offer respite from coastal winds, while peaks like Wind Hill and Susanna Hill provide elevated viewpoints across the moorland.

Getting here is straightforward - the A171 runs directly from Scarborough, while the scenic moorland route via the A169 from York takes you through proper Yorkshire countryside. Staying at nearby Whitby Cliff Top Touring Park puts you within walking distance of both town and moors, perfect for exploring everything from jet workshops to ancient archaeological sites without the hassle of town centre parking.