The UK’s ‘most beautiful’ seaside town is named one of the best places to visit in England

If you are planning your next travel destination, then you do not have to spend hundreds of pounds as the UK has some breathtaking locations everyone should visit at least once. 

Whitby is a charming coastal town located in North Yorkshire, England which sits at the mouth of the River Esk, and is famous for its scenic beauty. 

The town has dramatic cliffside views of the ocean while being near the North York Moors National Park, but is also known for its brilliant golden beaches, winding cobblestone streets, and picturesque harbour. 

It has also been named as having the best fish and chips in the UK according to TimeOut magazine and is believed to have the very best seafood restaurants in the area. 

Whitby has been voted one of Britain's most beautiful coastal towns in a survey by McCarthy Stone and has also been named one of the best seaside towns to visit by Express readers.

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This beautiful seaside town has become known amongst literature fans as it is where the famous explorer Captain James Cook lived, whose name inspired Peter Pan’s arch nemesis, Captain Hook 

Harry Potter fans will also recognise Goathland train station in Whitby as it is the Hogsmeade Station in the movie Harry Potter and the Philosopher Stone when the train arrives at Hogwarts for the very first time 

However, Whitby has become famous for its connection to Bram Stocker’s Dracula novel, as the author was first influenced to write the book on a visit in 1890 when he first saw Whitby’s gothic Abbey. 

Dracula also travels from Transylvania to England with his ship landing in Whitby, and the town celebrates its connection to the famous vampire by holding a ‘Goth Weekend’ twice a year in April and October where everybody is encouraged to dress in black for the festival. 

Whitby has many fun celebrations throughout the year, which also include a family-friendly Pirate Festival in August and a steampunk weekend in February and July where people dress up in Victorian-inspired fashion. 

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There are two big music festivals in Whitby such as the Blues, Rhythm & Rock Festival in October and the Whitby Folk Week in August, in which performers travel to the town to host a series of concerts, dances, ceilidhs as well as many other fun activities. 

There is plenty to do in this quaint seaside town without festivals, and one of the first things most visitors do is visit Whitby Abbey ruins, which can be spotted right away as it overlooks the town on top of a cliff.

This beautiful abbey dates back to the 7th century and not only has a fascinating history but also has an incredible view once you climb up the 199 steps to reach the historic building.

There is also the Captain Cook Memorial Museum and you can also take a trip on a boat trip of a replica of the HMS Endeavour, the ship sailed by Captain Cook during his explorations which is a fun way to explore Whitby for both humans and dogs alike, as your furry best friend is welcome aboard too. 

There is also the Whitby Sands, a two-mile-long beach famous for its caramel-coloured sands which is lined by cliffs and colourful beach huts. It is the best place for a relaxing walk or even an ice cream. 

No matter what time of year you visit, Whitby has plenty to offer as well as its breathtaking sights but is also the perfect place to explore some of Britain’s most eccentric festivals and celebrations.