Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Runswick Bay

"There’s something special about the ruins of Whitby Abbey brooding over the harbour from the East Cliff. These ruins were mentioned in Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1890), and even at that time the monastery had been abandoned for 350 years. It was set up in the middle of the 7th century by Oswy, the King of Northumbria."

"As we dropped down into the town, we managed to find a parking space next to Whitby Abbey. It was a perfectly base for our little adventure and (being members of the National trust) didn’t cost us a penny."

"Finally, we will take you back into the town of Whitby itself and to one of its most prized possessions – Pannett Park. Most towns, of course, have one or more parks providing residents and visitors with a place to sit and relax. It is fair to say, however, that the level of care and dedication which goes into making Whitby’s Pannett Park a haven of tranquillity where guests can enjoy both the peaceful atmosphere and an impressive range of themed gardens puts it several steps ahead of most of its contemporaries."

"The high sloping park around the Whitby Museum will keep you in this picturesque part of town a while longer. Pannett Park was voted “Best Public Park in Yorkshire” in 2014, and has a superb prospect east to Whitby Abbey. There are wooded areas, a lily pond, all manner of formal flowerbeds, a floral clock, rose gardens, pergolas and a playground for children."

"Pannett Park, a haven of peace and tranquillity and located close to the centre of Whitby in North Yorkshire, is well worth a visit, whichever season of the year. Excellent for family and nature walks."

"At the top of those 199 Steps, and before you get to Whitby Abbey, you’ll be confronted by the compact Church of St Mary. The building goes back to a Norman church, consecrated at the start of the 12th century. The tower, choir and parts of the nave all date to that earliest period, and at the transept you can look for the three Gothic lancet windows."

"The 199 steps of Church Stairs lead steeply up from the end of Church St, passing the spooky graveyard of St Mary's Church, a favourite haunt of Goth courting couples. The atmospheric interior of the church is..."

"One of those things you simply have to do in Whitby is to climb the 199 steps that wind up from Church Lane to St Mary’s Church on the East Cliff. You’ll be treading the same path as the creature “resembling a large dog” that climbed up to the abbey in Dracula. The stairway is vertiginous, but the higher you go, the better the views back over the roofs of the old town and the harbour."

"Climb the 199 steps to the top of East Cliff for views over the town and harbour. At the top you will find the medieval church of St Mary."

"On West Cliff, overlooking the mouth of the River Esk, is the Whalebone Arch, an archway formed from a set of 20-foot-high whale jaw bones. The arch is a reminder of the role played in Whitby's heritage by the whaling industry in the 18th and 19th centuries. The original arch was erected in 1853."

"Whitby was once a whaling town and the arch made from 2 whale jaw bones is a reminder of its past. The bones that stand there today are not from illegally hunted whales but those from a whale killed legally by Inuits in Alaska."

"As you see it today, Whitby’s picturesque harbour is the result of centuries of human intervention at the mouth of the River Esk. At the very north you can walk out to the ends of the East and West Piers where there’s a pair of lighthouses. On these piers are old mooring posts and captstans, holdovers from when vessels were pulled in and out of the harbour using manpower."

"Equally popular amongst the tourists and the locals, the Whitby Harbour is lined with cafes, restaurants and curio shops all along the bay. The beach side as well as the old town side is bustling with people, especially during the weekend and the sight includes various shipping vessels from fishing trawlers to modern yachts bobbing on water."

"An authentic Yorkshire chip shop since 1980, Trenchers is a perfect place to go if you are looking for affordable British comfort food. Along with an excellent takeaway menu, Trenchers serves up a wide variety of succulent meals including a Seafood Salad, a gluten-free Seafood Chowder, and a vegan Spinach and Falafel Burger. If it's a traditional takeaway chippy you're after, then Trenchers also serves the usual battered fish options including cod, haddock, and scampi."

"This large fish and chip restaurant is opposite the station and harbour, and sometimes you have to queue to get a table in this Italian-style venue complete with booths and colourful Tiffany lamps. This is to be expected, as Trenchers netted the prestigious title of UK’s Best Fish and Chip Restaurant in 2019. Blackboards on the walls tell you which boat landed the freshly-caught cod, and also that your chips are prepared on the premises using potatoes from Ripon."

"A trip to Whitby isn’t complete without trying out a plate of award-winning fish and chips at Trenchers. This much-loved restaurant is popular with both locals and visitors alike – and for good reason. Open all day throughout every season, you can always rely on Trenchers for a delicious meal."

"Flowergate is home to a lot of the best dog-friendly cafes in Whitby, with Emma’s Diner certainly deserving of a place on this list. As you can tell by the name, Emma’s Diner is decked out like a traditional old school American diner, with the theme including 50s music and the outfits that are worn by friendly waitresses. Big portions are on offer but be warned that Emma's Diner is not currently open on Mondays."

"For sustainably sourced fish dishes, head over to The Fisherman’s Wife. Serving up a mouthwatering selection of seafood dishes, choose from homemade fish pie, Scottish salmon, and seafood linguine among many other delicious mains. For those who aren’t too keen on fish, the restaurant also serves up an award-winning steak pie and the Radfords homemade burger."

"With branches in Leeds, York, and Whitby, when it comes to good food the Fisherman's Wife has plenty of experience. Its charming Whitby store is nestled along the coast offering picturesque sea views. The seafood on this menu is purchased directly from Whitby's very own fish market so you can expect to sample fresh, locally sourced food."

"Classic, simple seafood dishes and its prime location overlooking the beach and harbour have kept diners coming back to Fisherman's Wife for years. Whitby lobster, local crab and Lindisfarne oysters are on the..."

"Veggies don't have to miss out on the deep-fried fun in Whitby. This harbour-side hotel and restaurant (which is also excellent for cocktails) serves up an incredible deep-fried halloumi and chips, with mushy peas on the side. Who needs cod, anyway?"

"13 Marine Parade, Whitby YO21 3PR EnglandSeafood, BritishBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late NightReservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Live Music, Jazz Bar[email protected]+44 1947 605022http://www.the-marine-hotel.co.uk/"

"Located on the harbourside (the opposite side to Abbey Wharf), we were enticed in by the free house sign and ended up staying for some grub. It’s quite a traditional looking pub, but also has a TV with sport on (or sport news, I wasn’t paying attention). Beers on draught came from Whitby Brewery and we were pretty chuffed to be served our drinks in one of the brewery’s glasses – which are lovely and we ended up buying one from a local off licence to take home."

"Located directly on the harbourside, guests enjoy idyllic views of the harbour and busy streets of Whitby. This dog-friendly hotel in Whitby is a fine choice for weekends away with your hound. Address: 4-6 Pier Rd, Whitby YO21 3PU"

"This quaint tearoom is not just one of the top dog-friendly cafes in Whitby, it also has one of the town's top selections of gins. There are dozens to try out so even if they do not have your favourite – which is unlikely!. – there will definitely be something new to tempt you."

"There's an astounding drinks menu with more than 100 gins (despite the fact it's closed evenings) and gin flights, a walled courtyard for al-fresco light lunches, and a..."