Whitby Tours and Activities

It’s not easy journeying to Whitby, so it’s important to make the most of your time here. On this self-guided GPS audio tour, I'll introduce you to major local characters, engrossing legends and hidden treasures in this historic town, over a millennium in the making. Whether this is your first visit or your thirtieth, this tour is certain to make you look at Whitby in a new light. It also provides an ideal introduction to sites like the Whitby Abbey, the Captain Cook Memorial Museum and the Endeavour Experience, which you can return to at the end of the tour. On this tour, you'll hear about: • Some of the greatest voyages of exploration of all time • Why people once thought the town was infested with serpents • How Whitby jet, a gemstone, inspired the novel Dracula • An illiterate poet • Why there’s a polar bear in the town centre • Why the houses with the best views were some of the cheapest • The Hand of Glory and where to find it

Explore the Yorkshire Dales National Park, but with a particular focus on the countryside and locations used for filming the new All Creatures Great & Small TV series starring Nicholas Ralph in the lead role of Yorkshire Vet, James Herriot, first shown on Channel 5 in 2020. You will have photo stops in Barden, Malham, Arncliffe, Hawkswick and Burnsall and a longer stop in Grassington, used as the main filming location for "Darrowby". You will also have the option to visit the award-winning World of James Herriot Visitor Attraction in Thirsk to see where Alf White (the real James Herriot) lived, worked and wrote his series of books, based upon his experiences as a young Yorkshire Vet. If you do want to visit the World of James Herriot, we will take you there first in the morning as it sets the scene for the rest of the tour. If not, you can spend the additional time enjoying more of the Yorkshire Dales - the choice is yours and can just be agreed with your Driver in the morning!

Famed for its historical landmarks, seaside vistas, and literary lore, Whitby is one of Yorkshire’s highlight towns—and this full-day, private tour makes planning a trip seamless. Following morning pickup from your York hotel, travel in the comfort of a private vehicle, and admire the scenery of the North York Moors as you go. Upon arrival in Whitby, discover Captain Cook’s former house, visit the ruined Whitby Abbey (which inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula), and try the local fish and chips (own expense).

Don't just visit, experience Whitby with British Routes. A unique tour looking at all aspects of the town's history and architecture. From the arrival of the Romans to the glory days of the Georgian wealthy, from Captains Cook's exploration of the Pacific, to the birth of the Australian Navy, our guide will show you hidden streets, as they tell you tales of battleship attacks, Maharajahs of India, of Dracula, as you go through the looking glass of historic streets, History hidden in plain sight. Uncover the truth behind some of Whitby's more famous landmarks, and ensure you really get to know Whitby, its history, and the stories of those who walked there before you.