Hidden Gems in Whitby for everyone to enjoy

If you have been reading our blogs about our hotel the LilyRose Hotel located in the heart of Whitby, you will be familiar with some of the most popular places to visit and things to do in our stunning North Yorkshire coastal town. These include the Whitby Pavilion (just a few minute’s walk from our hotel), and of course the iconic landmark that is Whitby Abbey.

Now we want to introduce you to some of our other hidden gems that sometimes get overlooked by visitors and guests at our hotel, but that are certainly worth discovering.

Whitby Abbey
Whitby Pavilion
Whalebone Arch
The Whalebone Arch

You’ll find this landmark at the North Terrace, and it beautifully frames the horizon of St. Mary’s church up on the east cliff. The Whalebone arch is an extraordinary structure made of from the jawbone of a Bowhead whale no less! History tells us that the function of this arch was to use the lower spars to tie whalebone jaws, and garlands were also masts of returning whaling ships to communicate the message that whalers had survived the hunt.

The swing bridge within Whitby harbour, at night
Swing Bridge

The 75ft bridge on (yes) Bridge Street Whitby is the focal point for anyone looking to enjoy a trip to sea, whether on a fishing boat or a shorting sightseeing tour. Also available are whale watching tours, which is a must do for many of our guest. Not only that, if you get the timing right, watch how the bridge opens in the 2 hour window on each side of high tide, signalled by the sound of a handbell by the bridge men.

Why the kids will love our ‘Dinosaur Coast’.

Get your kids involved in fossil hunting around the beach, where there are buckets of loose beach material there to discover. With so many fossils to collect, the joy of foraging them will keep your little explorers busy for hours.

Spending time with loved ones in Whitby will reap endless rewards for your wellbeing and ensure memories are made for years to come. Our small but perfectly formed hotel couldn’t be better located and offers superb value for money with comfortable and affordable rooms available to book year-round. Do remember to book direct on our website for best rates and availability.

  • We’re excited to share some lovely updates from the LilyRose Hotel in the heart of historic Whitby! Some of our rooms have received a refresh based on our valued guests feedback....

  • Oct 30th to Nov 2nd 2025, is when the next Whitby Goth Weekend takes place, and we are so excited to welcome guests to our hotel looking to indulge their inner and outer ‘Goth’ with like-minded people. ...

  • This year is the first ever Whitby Literature Festival, taking place in November 2025 from Thursday 6th to Sunday 9th. The festival is here to celebrate Whitby’s literary heritage and connect readers with contemporary authors and poets, past and present....