*Holiday Which? People who visit Whitby once return time and time again. Why? Maybe it's because the town seeps with history? Perhaps it's because of the rich tapestry of heather strewn moorland and clean, golden sands? Or maybe it's simply because there's so much to see and do here? In fact, whether you're joining us for a weekend, a week or even a fortnight, Whitby has something to interest everyone. Small wonder then that "Holiday Which?" described it as Britain's best seaside resort, offering "Everything you could possibly want..." Situated high on a headland and with an approach up the famous 199 steps, Whitby Abbey dominates the town's skyline. Built in 657AD, it was home to Abbess Hilda (niece of the first Christian king of Northumbria) and to England's first recorded poet - Caedmon. This rich history is celebrated in a nearby Heritage Centre, a building which also houses countless examples of archaeological material unearthed in the area, including artefacts dating from Roman times. Meanwhile, the church of St. Mary (c. 1210) can be found adjacent to the abbey and is worth a visit in itself. It remains one of the finest examples of an Anglo Saxon church in the country. http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/whitbyabbey Tel: 01947 603 568 Stepping out in Whitby is like stepping back in time. A natural harbour by virtue of its position at the mouth of the River Esk, the town has been a safe haven for fishermen and other mariners for more than a millennia (it was also once the main whaling port for the North of England). Considering this heritage, it's hardly surprising that Whitby seems to exude history, folklore and tradition wherever you go. Walk down Church Street and through the old Market Square and savour the atmosphere. Or, don't be surprised if you find yourself being drawn into a traditional sea-shanty inn and partaking in some freshly cooked local produce or one of the town's many local ales. Of course, the food connoisseur is well catered for too. From world famous fish and chip restaurants to award winning establishments serving locally caught seafood and game. The beaches at Whitby rank amongst the best in the country - a fact highlighted by their coveted Blue Flag status (an international accolade awarded to coastal destinations which have achieved the highest quality in terms of water, facilities, safety, environmental education and management. For more information see www.blueflag.org.uk). Children can run free on a glorious sweep of sand that stretches all the way from Whitby to the picturesque village of Sandsend. More inquisitive youngsters (and even grown up kids) can also hunt for fossils on this 'dinosaur coast' where recent research has unearthed Jurassic dinosaur footprints. Captain James Cook is synonymous with Whitby. Born in nearby Marton-on-Cleveland, he served his seaman's apprenticeship in the town. Several years later he set sail from here in a Whitby built vessel, The Endeavour, on a journey that would take him into the history books. It was on this exploratory voyage to chart the Southern Pacific that, Cook discovered a new continent. A continent we now call Australia. Today, his legacy lives on in the town thanks to The Captain Cook Memorial Museum and a highly prominent statue situated on the West Cliff. Here, Cook still looks out over the harbour and to the open sea beyond... www.cookmuseumwhitby.co.uk Tel: 01947 601 900 The North York Moors National Park represents one of the finest landscapes in Britain. Towering sea cliffs and secluded beaches nestle next to rolling dales and England's largest expanse of heather covered moorland (those visiting us in summer are in for a particular treat as the heather bursts into bloom and the hills turn a rich shade of purple). Small rural communities dot the landscape, including Goathland where the ITV series Hearbeat is filmed. Not to be outdone, the coastline offeres up more than its fair share of treasures too, such as Robin Hood's Bay and Runswick Bay, two picturesque fishing villages brimming with character and with historical links to smuggling and piracy. The Nook really is the perfect base from which to explore these picture postcard villages. Naturally, walking enthusiasts are spoilt for choice. The rich tapestry of sights and sounds, people and places, explain why Whitby is frequently described as being a 'Walker's Paradise'. www.moors.uk.net Whilst enjoying a stay at The Nook, why not take a journey back in time to the golden age of steam on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway? One of the nation's most popular heritage railways, this lovingly restored and maintained numerous sets of locomotives and carriages, is a must for everyone, not just train enthusiasts. Quite the film star having featured in the Harry Potter films, as well as in TV's The Royal and Heartbeat, the railway is an ideal way to enjoy a leisurely day out to a number of destinations including: Pickering - a historic market town and the gateway to the Moors Goathland - perhaps better known as Aidensfield in Yorkshire TV's Heartbeat Levisham - home to some beautiful forest walks Grosmont - a genuine 1950s railways junction where you can take Yorkshire tea in the station cafe www.nymr.co.uk Tel: 01751 472 508 Tourist Information Centre Tel: 01947 602674 Whitby Coliseum (cinema) Tel: 01947 825000 Whitby Spa and Pavilion (theatre) Tel: 01947 604855 / 820625 Whitby Lifeboat Museum Tel: 01947 602000 Whitby Golf Course www.whitbygolfclub.co.uk Tel: 01947 602768 Whitby Swimming Pool Tel: 01947 604640 Whitby Museum and Pannette Art Gallery (three galleries with special and permanent exhibitions, some displaying important collections from Whitby's historic whaling and jet industries) Tel: 01947 602908 Hollin Riding Centre www.hollinequest.co.uk 01947 897470 Trailways cycle hire (take in some fresh air on a bike ride along the old Whitby to Scarborough railway line) www.trailways.fsnet.co.uk Tel: 01947 820207 Pickering Castle (a well preserved 12th Century mote and bailey castle) www.theheritagetrail.co.uk/castles/pickering castle.htm Tel: 01751 474989 Flamingo Land (Theme park and zoo offering fun for all the family) www.flamingoland.co.uk Tel: 0870 7528000 Eden Camp (a former WWII POW camp which is now a museum telling the story of civilian life in Britain from 1939 to 1945) www.edencamp.co.uk/intro/index.htm Tel: 01653 697777 Duncombe Park (one of the finest stately homes and gardens in Yorkshire) www.duncombepark.com Tel: 01439 770213 Nunnington Hall (a picturesque Yorkshire manor house situated on the banks of the River Rye) www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-nunningtonhall Tel: 01439 748283 Castle Howard (One of Britain's finest historic houses and estates and widely featured in acclaimed costume drama, 'Brideshead Revisited') www.castlehoward.co.uk Tel: 01653 648444 Rievaulx Abbey (the first Cistercian monastery in Northern England, dating back to 1132AD) www.theheritagetrail.co.uk/abbeys/rievaulx_abbey.htm Tel: 01439 798228