Whitby is historic town in North Yorkshire on the northeast coast of England and is now a fishing port and tourist centre.
Right up to the reign of Elizabeth I Whitby was only a small fishing village.
At the end of the l6th century Thomas Chaloner of York went to Italy to visit the Pope’s alum works. He realised that the rock from which the alum was obtained was the same as the rock surrounding his estate in North Yorkshire. Alum was important at that time for tanning leather, fixing dyed cloths and had medical uses. Until then the Vatican had monopoly of alum. When Chaloner started to produce it in this country it was said to have lowered the price of alum, the Vatican lost profits and Chaloner was excommunicated.
Over time the town has spread on to the West Cliff, the East Cliff is dominated by the Whitby Abbey ruins. The East Cliff is quite a distance by car but the only other way of reaching it is to use the 199 steps. These steps were restored in 2006 the first time since the 19th century.
The modern day Port of Whitby is well placed for shipping to Europe and Scandinavia. It is a sizeable port able to handle such goods as timber, grain and steel.
The town was in 2006 awarded the title Best Seaside Resort by Which Holiday magazine. This is not surprising as it is considered to be one the most picturesque ports and the beach is very popular with holidaymakers throughout the summer season.
Whitby has a fish market on the quayside that opens as and when and because of the abundance of fresh fish many fish and chip shops have opened in the town.
The West Cliff has its many landmarks including a Statue of Captain James Cook who sailed from the town, a whalebone arch in remembrance of the whaling industry.
There is also a statue of William Scoresby, founder of the crows-nest.
The black mineral jet was widely mined in the Roman times and was at its peak in Queen Victoria’s time as she favoured this for mourning jewellery.
Whitby holds a regatta for three days every August. It was at first a local rowing competition but now has been extended to include police dog displays, a fair, a display by the Red Arrows and fireworks.
For at least the past twenty years Whitby has been the host of Whitby Folk Week that includes about 600 events staged in different venues.
Whitby has an abundance of teashops, pubs, cafes and restaurants. The best known is the Duke of York that lies at the foot of the 199 steps. The Walrus and Carpenter restaurant, the café on Market Place, the Hideaway restaurant on St. Ann’s Staithe together with the Indian and Tandoori restaurant in the old station are all worthy of a visit. Egon Ronay commended the Magpie Café on Pier Road and the best fish and chip shop is the Silver Street Fish and Chip Shop.
Property to rent is available in Whitby with prices around £350pcm for a l bed flat, £460pcm for a 2 bed flat, £475pcm for a 2 bed house and £575pcm for a 3 bed house.
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