New Homes in Whitby

From seaside walks to historic sites, there is a lot to see and do in the North Yorkshire seaside town of Whitby. Surrounded by beautiful countryside and with a thriving tourist economy, a new home in Whitby is perfect if you’re looking for a unique and charming place to live with an active local community, right on the north-east coast.

A quick history

Modern-day Whitby started life during the Saxon era when an abbey was built in the town. The abbey was built in the 7th century, and although the building was destroyed by the Vikings, a monastery was built in its place in the 11th century.

During Medieval times, Whitby was an important religious town as well as a fishing port. Later, when the mines opened near the town, the port grew and became one of the biggest in the UK. The whaling industry also brought wealth to the local area but this stopped in the mid-1800s.

Over the centuries, Whitby has hosted a number of well-known historical figures. The explorer Captain Cook moved to Whitby as an apprentice, and his ships HMS Bark Endeavour and HMS Resolution were built in the town. The author Bram Stoker also visited Whitby at the end of the 19th century, and it’s rumoured that a cemetery in the town inspired his novel Dracula.

Business and industry

Industry in Whitby has historically centred around the port and mines, especially thanks to the popularity of Whitby Jet during the Victorian era. Traditional industries slowed by the turn of the century, and today the town’s economy is supported by a range of different sectors including tourism and manufacturing. Employers in the town include Supreme Plastics, Whitby Seafoods and Botham's of Whitby, all based at Whitby Business Park.

Things to do in the area

From beautiful beaches to steam trains and historic sights, there is a lot to see and do in Whitby. The town is the end of the line for the Heritage North Yorkshire Moors Railway, while other places of historical interest include Whitby Abbey, the Old Coastguard Station and the Captain Cook Memorial Museum.

On sunny days, you can take a walk along Whitby Beach or take the family to Sandsend Beach, Tate Hill Beach or Runswick Bay. Alternatively, you can go hiking along the picturesque The North Yorkshire and Cleveland Heritage Coast, with impressive views out to sea. For evening entertainment, there are regular theatrical performances at Whitby Pavilion.

Travel and commuting

Located near the A171 and with its own train station, Whitby is well connected to nearby towns and cities by both road and rail. The journey to Scarborough from Whitby takes around 35-minutes by car, while Middlesbrough can be reached in 50-minutes by car or one hour 30-minutes by train.

Travelling further afield, York is one hour 15-minutes away by car, while Newcastle can be reached in one hour 30-minutes and Leeds in one hour 40-minutes, depending on traffic. If you’re taking a trip to London, the drive takes over four hours 30-minutes.

If you’re going on holiday, Durham Tees Valley Airport is only one hour away by car.