Rowan Tree House Bed and Breakfast in Sleights, Whitby

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Whitby - Things to Do and See

Only 3 miles towards the coast from Sleights lies Whitby, a picturesque Yorkshire fishing town. Providing many wonderful attractions inluding the famous Abbey and Whalebone Arch, the East and West Piers, St. Mary's Church and the 199 Steps as well as a myriad of shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants as well as it's extensive sandy beach, Whitby is one of the top seaside destinations in the country.

Whatever the weather, you'll always find something to do in Whitby. With several boats offering short cruises down the coast or fishing trips of various lengths the harbour is always a hive of activity. Sample some fish & chips from one of the many restaurants or takeaways and have a look around the cobbled streets of the old town and the market square.

Visit the newly re-developed town park (Pannett Park) featuring Whitby's Town Museum and Art Gallery and or just sit in a cafe and watch the world go by. Whitby has something for everyone!

Whitby Piers, 199 Steps and Harbour Whitby Abbey

Our Top Tips for Whitby

We love living near Whitby - one of the UK's top tourist destinations. Here are our top tips for things to do and places to go in Whitby:

  • Hadley's Fish and Chips - they've got a take-away now as well as a spacious restaurant so there's no excuse not to try them!
  • Abbey Wharf - what used to be 'The Shambles' - now totally renovated and under new ownership, perfect for a drink in the sun overlooking the harbour.
  • The Whitby Deli - pop in for a bite to eat, or a great coffee, then buy yourself something nice to take home!
  • Skipper's Cafe - great for a slap-up breakfast.
  • One of Whitby's tour buses - or a walking tour of Whitby
  • Whitby Abbey, the Whale Bone Arch, St Mary's and the 199 Steps - you can't visit Whitby without stopping to see these three iconic locations!

The Esk Valley

The Esk Valley has been made famous as the filming location for ITV's 'Heartbeat' programme. Just a few minutes drive from Sleights you'll find a selection of beautiful villages located on the banks of the River Esk which flows 28 miles from its source in Westerdale before emerging at Whitby.

Villages such as Goathland, Egton, Glaisdale, Danby, Lealholm and Castleton all offer a range of local amenities inlcuding comfortable and welcoming villages pubs and shops, and are the perfect places from which to begin a walk into the North Yorkshire Moors.

The North Yorkshire Moors Steam Railway passes through the village of Grosmont on its way between Pickering and Whitby so is a popular destination particularly through the summer months.

With spectacular views, picturesque villages and a wide choice of footpaths and trails to follow and enjoy, the Esk Valley is one of Yorkshire's most beautiful areas and certainly worth exploring whilst staying in the area.

The Yorkshire Moors Mallyan Spout Waterfall, Goathland

Esk Valley Highlights

If you're looking for some peace and quiet, the Esk Valley is the place for you. Don't go home without doing some or all of these:

  • Visit the tiny pub in Beck Hole - walk down from Goathland have a sandwich and a pint, you won't regret it!
  • While your in Goathland, walk along the footpath to the Mallyan Spout Waterfall - it's a wonderful location.
  • Go for a picnic in one of the villages - sit on the banks of the Esk and watch the world go by.
  • Visit the North York Moors Steam Railway in Grosmont - and take a steam train to Pickering if time allows.
  • Catch the train from Sleights towards Middlesbrough - get off at a village of your choosing or travel the whole line, it's wonderfully picturesque.

Coastal Villages

To the south of Sleights lies the village of Robin Hood's Bay which is a fantastic location for a day out at the beach. With a myriad of winding streets and alleys in the old village, a selection of pubs, shops and galleries as well as a beach which provides both sandy expanses stretching south to Ravenscar and thousands of rock pools to explore, Robin Hood's Bay really does have something for everyone.

Moving north from Whitby you'll find a selection of coastal villages including Sandsend, Staithes and Runswick Bay which also offer wonderful beaches and quaint villages, appearing much as they did 100 years ago.

The Cleveland Way footpath follows this stretch of coastline enabling those who are a little more adventurous to enjoy a walk along the coast providing some of the finest views in the county. Whitby to Robin Hood's Bay as approximately 7 miles and takes about 2 hours to complete.

Sandsend Beach Whitby's Colourful Beachhuts

Coastal Village Highlights

Heading to the beach - or for a cliff-top walk? Here are our top tips:

  • Walk from Whitby to Robin Hood's Bay along the Cleveland Way.
  • Hire a bike from Trailways in Hawsker and cycle the Cinder Track - it too runs from Whitby to Scarborough, so you can make a day of it!
  • Head down to Robin Hood's Bay, visit the pubs, explore the beach, find some fossils or some Jet (if you're lucky!) and enjoy some fish and chips, what could be better!
  • Visit Staithes - particularly during the Staithes Festival weekend.
  • Go to Sandsend, sit on the beach and enjoy a coffee from one of the cafes - the Turnstone Gallery is worth a look too.

Bookings are now availble for 2024 - Remember ALL our rooms are en-suite! Discounts available for direct bookings!