An Introduction to Whitby
Situated on the glorious Yorkshire coast, the town of Whitby offers the best of both worlds - rolling countryside and a stunning sandy Blue Flag beach. The history of Whitby dates back to the 7th Century, when a settlement was founded under the name Streanæshealh by by Oswy, the Anglo-Saxon King of Northumbria.
Today, Whitby is a famous tourist destination and active fishing port. The skyline is dominated by the proud ruins of Whitby Abbey, and the restaurants in the area are famous for their fine, fresh fish. Situated at the mouth of the River Esk, Whitby Harbour is owned and managed by Scarborough Borough Council. It is thought that fishing has taken place here since the 12th Century.
The commercial fishing fleet now consists of a variety of vessels, ranging from large trawlers to smaller day boats. Due to conservation measures taken to keep fishing sustainable, the Whitby fishing fleet has been reduced by half in the last ten years. This means that the remaining skippers are able to ensure that their catch is of the highest quality.
The members of Whitby’s fishing community are keen to remain here, and pass on their skills to the next generation. Whitby Fish Market, situated on the Quay, operates to suit demand and availability.
Ten Things You Should Know About Whitby
1. Famous voyager Captain James Cook lived in Whitby in the 1700s, when he was an apprentice with prominent ship builders John and Henry Walker. All four of Cook’s ships – the Endeavour, the Resolution, the Discovery and the Adventure – were built in Whitby by Mr. Thomas Fishburn.
2. Situated on the West Cliff are a set of whale bones, which were donated to Whitby by Alaska in April 2003. This is the third set Whitby have owned, the original set were erected some time after 1853, and the second set in 1963.
3. Bram Stoker got his inspiration for his famous novel Dracula from a visit to Whitby’s West Cliff in 1890. There is also speculation that Stoker got the name ‘Dracula’ from a book he found in Whitby library. The novel includes a scene where the ship Demeter is wrecked off the coast of Whitby, and Dracula, disguised as a black dog, comes ashore to wreak havoc on the town.
4. Whitby Goth weekend is a bi-annual festival held in the town, where Goths from all over the world come to meet. It started in 1994, when organizer Jo Hampshire placed an ad in NME magazine. Whitby was chosen due to its Dracula connections and the open-minded attitude of its inhabitants. Most of the events are held at the Whitby Spa Pavillion on the West Cliff
5. Whitby also has a big folk history, and Whitby Folk Week, a seven day festival of traditional folk music and dancing, has been running for over forty years.
6. Whitby Regatta is one of the oldest sea regattas in England, having been running for nearly 170 years. Celebrating all things aquatic, the public can watch a number of yachting and rowing competitions, as well as demonstrations from the Armed Forces, a Classic Car Rally and carnival.
7. Whitby is famous for its fine Jet, a precious stone made from the fossilized wood of the monkey puzzle tree. Jet had become so popular by the 1800s, that in 1808 the first Whitby Jet factory was set up. By 1873, a total of 1,500 employees helped to cut and polish Whitby Jet in around 200 workshops.
8. The Whitby Gazette is a popular local newspaper, whose offices overlook the harbour. Founded in 1854 by Ralph Horne, a local printer, bookseller and ship owner, it became a regular newspaper in 1858, and is now published on Tuesday and Friday of each week.
9. The North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) is a preserved steam railway running through North Yorkshire. Steam trains often pass through Whitby’s railway station, where you can jump aboard and travel to a number of destinations all the way to Pickering.
10. At the top of Whitby’s famous 199 steps is St. Mary’s Church. The oldest parts of the church, including the tower and basic structure are Norman, and date from around 1110. Situated next to St. Mary’s Church is Whitby Abbey, which was founded in about 657AD by Oswy, the Anglo-Saxon King of Northumbria. The ruins continue to be a prominent landmark, and are now owned and maintained by English Heritage.
Whitby Seafoods Today
Whitby Seafoods is a privately owned family company, employing over 140 people in the fishing port of Whitby, North Yorkshire. more...
