UK coastal town voted 'most beautiful' now named one of the best places to visit

13 March 2024 , 14:16

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Whitby has been voted one of the best places to visit in England (Image: (Image: Getty))

The UK's 'most beautiful' seaside town has now also been named one of the best places to visit in England.

If you are planning your next travel destination, then you do not have to spend hundreds of pounds heading to the airport. The UK has some breath-taking locations, packed full of history that are perfect for a weekend or day trip away. An added bonus is they're rarely more than a few hours away, such is the small size of the country.

Whitby is a charming coastal town located in North Yorkshire, England which sits at the mouth of the River Esk, and is famous for its scenic beauty. The town has dramatic cliffside views of the ocean while being near the North York Moors National Park, as well as brilliant golden beaches, winding cobblestone streets, and picturesque harbour.

It has also been named as having the best fish and chips in the UK according to TimeOut magazine and is believed to have the very best seafood restaurants in the area. Whitby has been voted one of Britain's most beautiful coastal towns in a survey by McCarthy Stone and has also been named one of the best seaside towns to visit by Express readers.

The town is also associated with Dracula and being a filming location for Harry Potter ((Image: Getty))

This seaside town has a particular place in the history of British literature. For one, it was where famous explorer Captain James Cook first set sail ahead of his voyages to Australia and New Zealand. His name would inspire J. M. Barrie in his writing of Peter Pan's arch nemesis, Captain Hook.

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Harry Potter fans will also recognise Goathland train station in Whitby as it is the Hogsmeade in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone when the train arrives at Hogwarts for the very first time.

However, Whitby is most famous for its link to Bram Stoker's Dracula novel. The author was inspired to write the book during a visit in 1890 when he first saw Whitby's gothic Abbey. In the novel, Dracula travels from Transylvania to England with his ship landing in Whitby. The town celebrates this connection by holding a 'Goth Weekend' twice a year in April and October, when the narrow streets are crowded with people wearing flowing black outfits.

Whitby has many other, slightly less morbid events throughout the year. These include a family-friendly Pirate Festival in August and a steampunk weekend in February and July, when participants dress up in Victorian-inspired fashion.

Whitby beach has rainbow-coloured huts scattered across its sands and is the perfect spot for an ice cream ((Image: Getty))

There are two big music festivals in Whitby. These are the Blues, Rhythm and Rock Festival in October and the Whitby Folk Week in August. Performers travel to the town to host concerts, dances, ceilidhs and other fun activities.

There's also plenty to do in this quaint seaside town outside of the festival days. One of the first things most visitors do is visit Whitby Abbey ruins. You can spot it right away as it overlooks the town on top of a cliff.

This beautiful abbey dates back to the 7th century and provides a stark framing of the frothy waves beyond the clifftops that makes the 199 step walk up to it seem well worth the work.

You can also visit the Captain Cook Memorial Museum and even take a boat trip on a replica of the HMS Endeavour, the ship that the explorer sailed during his adventures. This is a fun way to explore Whitby for both people and dogs, as furry friends are welcome along.

Don't forget to check out Whitby Sands, a two-mile-long beach known for its caramel-coloured sands. It's lined with cliffs and colourful beach huts, making it the perfect spot for a relaxing walk or an ice cream treat.

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Katherine McPhillips