10 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Whitby

The 199 Steps may seem like a lot to take on after a hearty dinner, but the effort will be well worth it. The stone steps start out near one of Whitby’s main thoroughfares and then take you upwards around some of Whitby’s most famous sites, such as the Church of St. Mary and the Whitby Abbey ruins.

While those 2 sites are closed after dark, the 199 steps will give you a glimpse of both the outside of these historic structures, while also treating you to views of the town and harbour beyond.

West Pier Memorial Footbridge stretches the furthest out into the North Sea of any point in Whitby, giving you the best on-the-water views of the town and shoreline, as well as the sea beyond (without actually heading out on a boat).

The footbridge connects 2 pieces of pier and was built in 2012. It features a memorial to 2 local soldiers who died in Afghanistan. From the end of the footbridge and pier, you can look back and see the Whitby Abbey ruins sitting over the city.

Whitby Coastal Cruises operates a range of small boat cruises along the Yorkshire coast, but if you’re specifically looking for something to do after dinner, you’ll want to check out the tour operator’s twilight cruises.

The cruises embark from Whitby Harbour at dusk and you only return to Whitby after darkness has completely fallen, so you can see the city awash in glittering lights. A separate sunset cruise is also available, offering views of the sun setting over the North Sea.

The Whitby Harbour West Lighthouse is 1 of 2 lighthouses in Whitby, and the tallest. Built in 1831 from local sandstone, the 73-foot lighthouse reflects Whitby’s maritime history, and involvement in the trading and whaling industries, but its still used today.

You can see the lighthouse just from the bottom during the winter months, but the lighthouse also opens seasonally in the summer, allowing visitors to climb to the top of the lighthouse’s lantern room, for views of the harbour and town. Watch out for ghosts while you’re there! Rumour has it that the lighthouse is haunted by the ghost of a lighthouse keeper who fell to his death.

Whitby Brewery sits just steps away from Whitby Abbey and the Church of St. Mary. Founded in 2013 and specialising in Yorkshire ales, the brewery is an excellent spot to stop for a drink after dinner and, if the weather is nice, enjoy a pint or maybe a few outdoors, as you take in the clifftop views.

Don’t care for beer? The brewery also offers all your typical bar drinks, as well as pizza. You can additionally book a 45-minute brewery tour, to get a behind-the-scenes look at the operation.

Whitby Pavilion is so much more than just a single theatre. The entertainment complex features a historic Victorian theatre, cinema, event venue and more. You’ll be able to catch favourite and new movies, but also theatrical shows, conferences and conventions, and festivals.

There’s something going on just about every night of the week so, whether you’d prefer to see a family-friendly musical, the latest movie, a craft fair, or a tribute band, you can enjoy a range of events and entertainment depending on what’s showing during your visit.

Whitby ghost tours are available from several providers in the town – and why wouldn't they be? Whitby is, after all, considered one of the more haunted towns in the United Kingdom. Maybe it’s the Gothic cathedral ruins, maybe it’s the Dracula connections, or maybe it’s just the quiet cobblestone streets and historic structures.

Whatever the reason for Whitby’s ghostly environment, you can explore some of the most haunted spots in town for yourself, with the help of a guided tour, which can take you to locations that are sometimes off-limits to travellers otherwise, such as Whitby Abbey, St. Mary’s Churchyard, supposedly haunted hotels, and other top sites.

Skinner Street is the place to go if you’re looking for a large amount of pubs all in a single area. Whether you still need to grab dinner or you’re just looking for a frothy beer, live music and a fun atmosphere, you’ll find a pub to meet your needs along this busy street.

Popular spots include The Arch & Abbey, named after 2 of the town’s most prominent landmarks and offering a ton of different beers. Then there’s The Granby, which is a hotel, but it also holds a cosy pub with comfort food; dogs are also allowed at The Granby.

Church Street sits right below Whitby Abbey, along the River Esk. It’s packed with pubs and restaurants offering standard English pub fare, ales, and casual atmospheres. You’ll also find a few not-so-expected bars and restaurants on this street, in case you’ve already done the British pub thing and you're looking for something new.

Popular options include Black Horse Inn, with a wide mix of drinks and food options, and The White Horse & Griffin, with its rich history stretching back to the 1500s.

Flowergate runs perpendicular to Skinner Street, so if you’re looking to expand your Skinner Street pub and bar explorations further, head on over to Flowergate, where you’ll find even more watering hole options. Plus, Flowergate is also home to several guest houses and inns, so it’s not unlikely that you could be staying along this short street, making your pub outing all the more convenient.

Popular stops on Flowergate include The Elsinore, which is known for its live music, ales, and what it calls “goth gatherings”, and Little Angel, with its 3 separate bars.