Motorhome Hire in Whitby

Whitby is one of those rare places that lives up to every expectation. This atmospheric harbour town, perched on the cliffs of the North Yorkshire coast, has inspired writers, artists, and explorers for centuries. Bram Stoker set key scenes of Dracula here after visiting in 1890, Captain James Cook learned his seamanship in Whitby ships, and the jet jewellery tradition stretches back to the Bronze Age. At approximately 75 minutes from our Pontefract depot, it is well worth the journey.

The 199 steps climbing from the town to the clifftop churchyard of St Mary's and the ruins of Whitby Abbey beyond are the town's most famous feature. The abbey, founded in 657 AD and rebuilt in the thirteenth century, stands dramatically against the sky and is one of the most photographed ruins in England. English Heritage maintains the site, and the visitor centre tells the story of the abbey's remarkable history, including the Synod of Whitby in 664, which determined the future direction of the English Church.

The harbour, sitting in the sheltered mouth of the River Esk, is the heart of the town. The swing bridge connects the east and west sides, and both quaysides are lined with restaurants, pubs, and shops selling Whitby jet, local art, and nautical curiosities. The fish and chips from the harbour-side shops are widely regarded as among the best in the country. The Captain Cook Memorial Museum, housed in the building where the young James Cook lodged as an apprentice, tells the story of his voyages of discovery and his deep connection to this town.

The Whale Bone Arch on the West Cliff is one of Whitby's most recognisable landmarks, framing views across the harbour to the abbey. The West Cliff itself offers a fine Victorian promenade with views along the coast, and the beach below is popular for fossil hunting. Whitby is situated on the Jurassic coast of Yorkshire, and ammonites and other fossils can be found on the foreshore and in the cliffs after storms.

The surrounding coastline is spectacular. Robin Hood's Bay, a cluster of red-roofed cottages tumbling down a steep ravine to a rocky beach, is just five miles south and is one of the most picturesque villages in England. Staithes, eleven miles to the north, is another unspoilt fishing village where the young Cook worked in a grocer's shop before going to sea. Sandsend, three miles west, has a beautiful sandy beach and marks the start of a dramatic stretch of the Cleveland Way along the clifftops.

The North York Moors stretch inland from Whitby, and the moorland roads offer some of the most atmospheric driving in the north of England. Goathland, famous as the filming location for Aidensfield in Heartbeat, is just nine miles inland and is also a stop on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. The Esk Valley, running westward from Whitby through a series of charming villages, is a hidden treasure that few visitors discover.

From our Pontefract depot, the drive to Whitby takes you north on the A1(M) to York, then east on the A64 before heading north through Pickering and over the moors on the A169. Alternatively, the A171 from Scarborough follows the coast. There are excellent campsites along the coast and in the moors around Whitby, making it an ideal base for a motorhome holiday exploring this stunning stretch of coastline.