DISCOVER WHITBY, Yorkshire
Whitby is a historic town in North Yorkshire on the north-east coast of England. Nowadays it is a fishing port and tourist destination. It is situated 47 miles from York, at the mouth of the River Esk and spreads up the steep sides of the narrow valley carved out by the river's course. At this point the coast curves round, so the town faces more north than east.
Many interesting fossils have been found in the Whitby area including entire skeletons of pterodactyls. Whitby is known for its well preserved ammonite fossils, which can sometimes be found on the seashore, or purchased from any number of stalls or shops in town.
 PRESENT DAY WHITBY
The modern Port of Whitby, strategically placed for shipping to Europe, with very good proximity to the Scandinavian countries, is capable of handling a wide range of cargoes, including grain, steel products, timber and potash. Vessels of up to 3,000 tonnes DWT are received on a routine basis at the Wharf, which has the capability of loading/unloading two ships simultaneously.
The town is served by Whitby railway station which forms the terminus of the Esk Valley Line from Middlesbrough, formerly the northern terminus of the Whitby, Pickering and York line. Whitby is also served by the Yorkshire Coastliner bus line, which can take travellers to and from Leeds, Tadcaster, York, Scarborough, Bridlington, Pickering, Malton and many more towns in Yorkshire.
Whitby was awarded "Best Seaside Resort 2006", by Which? Holiday magazine.
The town's college, Whitby Community College has recently expanded with a brand new Design and Technology, however it lost its speciality status due to being placed under special measures, this has now been rescinded as of March 2007.
Whitby has a fish market on the quayside, which is not set to any particular day of the week, instead taking place when the need arises. This ready supply of fresh fish has resulted in an abundance of 'chippies' in the town.
WEST CLIFF, WHITBY
West Cliff has its own landmarks — a statue of Captain James Cook, who sailed from the town, and a whalebone arch, commemorating the once large whaling industry. There is also a new science museum — Whitby Wizard. The whalebone arch is the second to stand on this spot, the original (a larger version) is now preserved in Whitby Archives Heritage Centre. By the inner harbour, next to the tourist information office, there is also a statue commemorating William Scoresby, inventor of the crow's nest.
WHITBY JET
The black mineral jet (black amber) is found in the cliffs around Whitby, and has been used since the Bronze Age to make beads and other jewellery. The Romans mined jet extensively, and Whitby jet was at the peak of its popularity in the mid-19th century, especially after it was favoured as mourning jewellery by Queen Victoria.
Whitby Museum holds a large collection on the archaeological and social history of jet. It also displays a “hand of glory”.
WHITBY IN LITERATURE
One unusual feature of Whitby is the Dracula Museum - a large portion of Bram Stoker's famous novel was set in Whitby, describing Dracula's arrival in Britain on a ship washed ashore in the harbour, and how Lucy watched from the churchyard as the sun set over the nearby headland of Kettleness, but did not know how many steps she climbed to get there. Stoker's story incorporated various pieces of Whitby folklore, including the beaching of the Russian ship Dmitri, which became the basis of Demeter in the book.
The novel Caedmon's Song by Peter Robinson plays in Whitby, too. Whitby also features significantly in the novel Possession, by A. S. Byatt. Michel Faber's novel, The Hundred and Ninety Nine Steps is also set in Whitby. Whitby also appears rather prominently in The Resurrectionists, written by Kim Wilkins.
Robin Jarvis has written many children's fantasy novels set in Whitby, as well.
EVENTS IN WHITBY
Whitby Regatta occurs once a year for three days in August. Originally a local rowing competition, over the years it has expanded to include events such as a fair on the pier, police dog demonstrations, fireworks and military displays - including the spectacle of the Red Arrows.
Each year, on the eve of Ascension Day, the Penny Hedge ceremony is performed.
For at least the last two decades the town has hosted the Whitby Folk Week, which currently includes around 600 different events in various venues.
Whitby also hosts the bi-annual Whitby Gothic Weekend, a festival for members of the goth subculture.
The town has played host to Musicport, an annual world music festival, since the late 1990s.
From Wikipedia
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Fishing Trawlers in Whitby Harbour, North York Moors National Park, England
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Town Buildings at Dawn, Whitby, North Yorkshire, England
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