I spent a weekend in certainly one of Britain’s prettiest seaside cities (Picture: Georgina Laud)Whitby sits on the Yorkshire coast, simply over an hour from York. The city is break up by the River Esk which runs into the North Sea, neglected by the imposing ruins of Whitby Abbey. With caravan parks, log cabins and mattress and breakfasts all inside shut vary of the seaside, it is the proper break for households.I spent two days in Whitby, opting to remain in a log cabin only a 5 minute drive from the centre. This meant we had the perfect of each worlds, with the leafy wooded seclusion of the cabin and the busy seaside city on our doorstep.Strolling round Whitby will certainly see you meet your step aim, with hilly facet streets (which you must undoubtedly enterprise as much as discover the perfect vintage outlets and quaint cafes), the winding pier and infamous 199 steps.In case you’re after some retail remedy, there are many distinctive outlets to be careful for; one well-known retailer is Whitby Fortunate Geese, which has offered small hand-made glass geese for greater than 50 years.On Whitby’s east facet is a surprising 17th-century workshop, Ebor Jetworks. There are a number of Whitby Jet outlets within the city, that includes jewelry comprised of fossilised driftwood, which is fashioned into the strong black materials by way of a course of referred to as jetonisation. In case you’re seashore combing alongside the Yorkshire coast chances are you’ll come throughout some Whitby jet. Learn extra: The gorgeous seashore that appears as if ‘Notting Hill was moved to the seaside’ In case you fancy taking within the sights, strolling up the 199 steps provides you with a surprising view throughout the harbour and city of Whitby. It additionally locations you subsequent to Whitby Abbey, so you’ll be able to see up shut the ruins which characteristic in Bram Stoker’s iconic novel, Dracula.For these needing a reward after climbing the stone steps – or some liquid braveness for the way in which again down – cease by Whitby Brewery for native ales and pizza.There are many pubs, eating places and cafes scattered all through Whitby, however maybe essentially the most iconic spot to seize some meals is Magpie Cafe. Travelling to the seaside and never getting fish and chips is against the law in my view, and with winding queues that spill onto the road, Magpie Cafe is the place to go.The climate was wonderful after we determined to strive Magpie, so we opted to get ours to go and sit exterior on the pier. You will not be disillusioned by the freshly battered fish, so large it hardly suits contained in the takeaway field, and loads of scrumptious chips. Topped with lashings of salt and vinegar and a facet of curry sauce – there’s nothing higher when you’re by the ocean.Whitby Abbey impressed Bram Stoker when he wrote Dracula (Picture: GETTY)The Magpie Cafe is the go-to spot for fish and chip (Picture: Georgina Laud)We took our meals down the pier, which generally is a tad windy however has loads of seating and views of each the harbour and seashore beneath. We watched the boats taking vacationers for journeys across the coast come and go as we ate.Feeling full, the subsequent cease was to discover the historical past of Whitby within the well-known Dracula Expertise. This museum-come-haunted home takes you thru the Dracula story, weaving within the true native ghost tales which impressed Bram Stoker. Break up over a number of flooring and a bounce scare or two – I would not advocate for younger youngsters – the tour ends with a 10-minute documentary on the historical past of Dracula.Anybody within the paranormal also can go on the Whitby Ghost Stroll, a 75-minute tour which takes you on a stroll by way of the spookier facet of Whitby. Without having to e-book, you’ll be able to simply await the tour to start out at 7.30pm on the Whale Bone Arch on Whitby’s West Cliff.After an intensive scare, we determined to deal with ourselves to a northern favorite – a lemon prime. For these unfamiliar, lemon tops are ice cream cones that are made up of whipped vanilla ice cream topped with lemon sorbet. Estimated to have first been produced in 1924 by Pacittos ice cream store down the coast in Redcar, lemon tops can be found at most seaside cities within the northeast of England.We loved a lemon prime by the harbour (Picture: Georgina Laud)Robin Hood’s Bay is a beautiful seashore simply 15 minutes from Whitby (Picture: GETTY)Time for the seashore. Whitby Seashore is a pleasant one however it may well get busy throughout peak season. There’s usually a funfair obtainable to entertain the youngsters, you’ll be able to rent deckchairs and windbreaks, and there are many outlets close by to seize a bucket and spade.In case you’re keen to drive a little bit distance, you’ll be able to strive Robin Hood’s Bay. Situated round 15 minutes from Whitby city centre, Robin Hood’s Bay is an previous fishing village on the Heritage Coast of the North York Moors. There are many cafes, eating places and outlets within the village, and a wonderful seashore to discover. The seashore itself is canine pleasant and boasts rock swimming pools and the potential to find fossils.For a quieter seashore expertise simply seven minutes drive from Whitby city centre, strive Sandsend. One other small fishing village, there are a few cafes, fish and chip spots and a present store. Sandsend is, because the title suggests, the place the sand ends and the cliffs start. In case you’re taking a canine, test which areas of the seashore are dog-friendly, as these differ all year long. For every of those seashores, I would advise checking the tide earlier than travelling.After a weekend of ice cream, fish and chips and lengthy walks, there was just one factor left to do – mini golf. There are a few choices for mini golf, the Whitby Pitch and Putt Mini Golf Course on the West Cliff, or for that iconic seaside really feel, the pirate themed mini golf course inside Pleasureland amusements. We opted for the latter and needed to battle skeleton pirates, dodge treasure chests and clamber throughout rope bridges to finish the 9 holes.After beating my husband at mini golf, it was time to go residence. And we have been each sorry to depart our log cabin and the ocean air. Whitby is the quintessential British seaside vacation; with wealthy historical past, pleasant locals, scrumptious meals and exquisite views – it is undoubtedly definitely worth the journey.