Romantic Restaurants, Getaway Places in Runswick Bay

"On Grape Lane there’s a 17th-century house where Britain’s greatest explorer Captain James Cook served as an apprentice from the age of 19 in 1746. Cook would later return to this property for the winter of 1771-72 following his First Voyage, in which he made the first European encounter with Australia’s eastern coastline. The museum has absorbing correspondence from Cook’s three voyages, as well as model ships, Maori artefacts, authentic charts and maps, and sketches and paintings by the artists who travelled with Cook on his expeditions."

"Discover the fascinating history of Captain James Cook at the award-winning Captain Cook Memorial Museum in Whitby. The museum’s location has close links with Cook as it was the house of John Walker, to whom Cook came as apprentice in 1746. The famous Cook’s Attic, where Cook and around 16 other apprentices lodged is within the museum and is much as it would have been in Cook’s day."

"The museum is housed in the building where Captain Cook worked as an apprentice and learnt the art of seafaring that would eventually make him legendary. Visitors can see Cook’s letters as well as some other personal items on display here."

"There’s something special about the ruins of Whitby Abbey brooding over the harbour from the East Cliff. These ruins were mentioned in Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1890), and even at that time the monastery had been abandoned for 350 years. It was set up in the middle of the 7th century by Oswy, the King of Northumbria."

"As we dropped down into the town, we managed to find a parking space next to Whitby Abbey. It was a perfectly base for our little adventure and (being members of the National trust) didn’t cost us a penny."

"This quaint tearoom is not just one of the top dog-friendly cafes in Whitby, it also has one of the town's top selections of gins. There are dozens to try out so even if they do not have your favourite – which is unlikely!. – there will definitely be something new to tempt you."

"There's an astounding drinks menu with more than 100 gins (despite the fact it's closed evenings) and gin flights, a walled courtyard for al-fresco light lunches, and a..."

"The spacious restaurant can comfortably seat 250 people and their balcony area offers a superb al fresco dining experience with views of the east and west piers. This is a great venue for both pescatarians and general fish lovers but they also serve delicious 21-day aged steaks for the more carnivorous diner. The fish is received fresh each morning from local suppliers and their fish display enables diners to see the produce before ordering."

"The restaurant is located in Whitby's ‘Harry’s Bar’ and offers a great range of seafood from the classics to old favourites, each with their own signature twists. Why not try the classic french dish of Moules Mariniere, mussels with white wine, cream and garlic and onions – a speciality of Harry's Bar. Other dishes include Harry's Famous Chowder, New York style with seafood."

"A stone's throw from the world-famous Magpie Cafe, Harry's offers what it calls "a food lover's paradise". Founded in 2008, the establishment boasts a cafe, restaurant and cocktail bar in the heart of Whitby. The bar include cocktails, fine champagne, wines, beers and spirits from around the world."

"As you see it today, Whitby’s picturesque harbour is the result of centuries of human intervention at the mouth of the River Esk. At the very north you can walk out to the ends of the East and West Piers where there’s a pair of lighthouses. On these piers are old mooring posts and captstans, holdovers from when vessels were pulled in and out of the harbour using manpower."

"Equally popular amongst the tourists and the locals, the Whitby Harbour is lined with cafes, restaurants and curio shops all along the bay. The beach side as well as the old town side is bustling with people, especially during the weekend and the sight includes various shipping vessels from fishing trawlers to modern yachts bobbing on water."

"This bright and modern establishment opened in 2006 beside Whitby’s harbour and is now a firm favourite with local residents. The interior of the restaurant really is quite lovely and the views across the harbour make it ideal for a relaxing meal with a loved one. The menu is varied and includes a whole array of fish, meat and vegetarian dishes to suit everyone, but their cajun-style dishes are by far the most talked about."

"The Moon and Sixpence Bar and Brasserie is located the heart of Whitby harbour and is the best place to go for seafood with a twist. Specialising in all things cajun and seafood grills, The Moon and Sixpence serve up mouth-watering seafood to a backdrop of style and luxury. Choose from their elaborate menu including lobster rolls, loaded crab fries and their famous gumbo."

"Again, this is a very traditional and busy pub that appeals to both visitors and locals throughout the week. Known for its quality live music acts, the Elsinore provides a lively atmosphere that makes you feel welcome from the minute you walk through the door. Do note though that most weekend evenings will see you standing rather than sitting on a comfy bar stool and queuing for your next pint."

"Known for its quality live music acts, the Elsinore provides a lively atmosphere that makes you feel welcome from the minute you walk through the door."

"At the top of those 199 Steps, and before you get to Whitby Abbey, you’ll be confronted by the compact Church of St Mary. The building goes back to a Norman church, consecrated at the start of the 12th century. The tower, choir and parts of the nave all date to that earliest period, and at the transept you can look for the three Gothic lancet windows."

"The 199 steps of Church Stairs lead steeply up from the end of Church St, passing the spooky graveyard of St Mary's Church, a favourite haunt of Goth courting couples. The atmospheric interior of the church is..."

"The museum holds an astonishing wealth of fossil remains discovered along the coast of east Yorkshire. Among the fossils on display are ammonites, fossilised remains of an extinct marine animal. A local legend says that Whitby was plagued by serpents in the 7th century before St Hilda called upon the power of God and turned the serpents into stone with her staff."

"Whitby Museum is a treasure trove of local history from fossils found in the Whitby area to Captain Cook and Scoresby. It's run by the Whitby Literary & Philosophical Society. Click here to visit their website."

"There's no seating inside (it's based in the old Spa Ticket Office) but providing the weather's not absolutely awful you're guaranteed a great view out across the piers and towards Sandsend."

"On West Cliff, overlooking the mouth of the River Esk, is the Whalebone Arch, an archway formed from a set of 20-foot-high whale jaw bones. The arch is a reminder of the role played in Whitby's heritage by the whaling industry in the 18th and 19th centuries. The original arch was erected in 1853."

"Whitby was once a whaling town and the arch made from 2 whale jaw bones is a reminder of its past. The bones that stand there today are not from illegally hunted whales but those from a whale killed legally by Inuits in Alaska."

"At the top of those 199 Steps, and before you get to Whitby Abbey, you’ll be confronted by the compact Church of St Mary. The building goes back to a Norman church, consecrated at the start of the 12th century. The tower, choir and parts of the nave all date to that earliest period, and at the transept you can look for the three Gothic lancet windows."

"The 199 steps of Church Stairs lead steeply up from the end of Church St, passing the spooky graveyard of St Mary's Church, a favourite haunt of Goth courting couples. The atmospheric interior of the church is..."

"Michelin-Starred chef Andrew Pern’s latest venture showcases the best locally sourced produce from land and sea. His restaurant, The Star Inn The Harbour, in the former tourist information building on the harbour, has a nautical look – ropes, creels, framed postcards – but it’s tastefully done, not the full Captain Haddock. Features include catch-of-the-day fish and meat specials, as well as world-famous North Yorkshire Moors produce."

"Slightly set back from the quayside, this pub is one of the most traditional pub in Whitby. It hosts a good selection of ales at a reasonable price, it’s not so busy that you have to stand but is busy enough to have a good time, the entertainment includes a TV, pool table and juke box, and the landlord/landlady are equally as friendly as the locals that frequent it. The Star Inn is also dog friendly and child friendly."

"Yorkshire food hero Andrew Pern, of Michelin-starred Star Inn fame, gutted the former tourist office to create this spin-off restaurant on the harbour front in his home town of Whitby. It’s no surprise that the..."

"Voted by the Guardian as one of Britain's top ten seaside fish and chip shops, Mister Chips has an exceedingly high reputation to live up to. This coastal establishment has been serving up delicious comfort food since 1981. In the restaurant, visitors can enjoy an a la carte menu of gorgeously presented dishes including a Seafood Chowder and a Steak Casserole."

"One reviewer wrote: "Fantastic quality fish & chips cooked in dripping with lots of other seafood dishes to have a choice from."

"The Edge is a modern contemporary bistro, combining a seafood fine dining experience with traditional recipes. Enjoy the traditional dishes such as fish and chips, as well as more unique dishes such as seafood chowders and varied grilled prawns and fish. With three elaborate menus and a specials board that is ever-changing, The Edge restaurant and bistro is the place to go when you wish to try traditional seafood with a little twist."

"The Edge is a modern bistro and restaurant located on Bridge Street. It’s trendy interiors and simple menu make it the perfect starting point for your night out in Whitby. Obviously, they serve a great fish & chips but they also serve other fabulous classics like burgers, steaks, lamb rack and other mouthwateringly good meat, fish and vegetarian dishes."

"I loved this pub, and if there was more beer choice I could’ve spent a while inside. It was cosy, friendly and had very nice bar staff with locals and tourists alike were made to feel welcome as soon as they walked in. There’s plenty of board games, pool and a couple of darts boards and it was lovely and warm after the bitter cold outside."