Vitty's Cottages, Whitby

15/10/2026

There is always something happening ……. Are you booked in for your favourite event or why not try a new one 😊👍🏼

Think Whitby closes down for winter? Think again! 🎄👻❄️

The town is set for a packed winter of festivals, Christmas markets and spectacular events! From illuminated Abbey ruins and Gothic celebrations to Christmas markets, steam trains, quirky festivals and winter traditions, there’s plenty happening in Whitby over the coming months!

The town’s winter calendar is looking particularly busy, with something for almost everyone between October and February.

👻 October – Halloween takes over Whitby!

October brings some of Whitby’s biggest events, including Musicport Festival (23–25 October), the spectacular Illuminated Whitby Abbey (23–31 October) and the world-famous Whitby Goth Weekend (30 October–1 November).

Tomorrow’s Ghosts Festival also returns to Whitby Pavilion for a weekend of Gothic music and entertainment.

🎄 November – Christmas comes early!

The festive season gets underway with Whitby’s Christmas Festival and Market (13–15 November), alongside the Whitby Hot Chocolate Festival.

There’s also Whitby Rocks & Blues Festival (6–8 November), Whitby Lit Fest (19–22 November) and the return of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway’s magical Santa Express from 28 November.

🎅 December – Festive fun and unusual traditions!

December begins with one of Whitby’s most unusual spectacles, the famous Krampus Weekend (4–6 December), when incredible costumes and folklore-inspired characters take over the town.

The Made in Whitby Christmas Festival arrives at Whitby Brewery on 12–13 December, with independent makers, festive shopping and live music.

The month also includes festive entertainment, the traditional Whitby Lions Boxing Day Dip on 26 December and New Year’s Eve celebrations around town.

❄️ January – A new festival for Whitby!

The Whitby Fire & Ice Festival is advertised for Saturday 23 January, bringing a new winter event to Baxtergate and the harbourside.

⚙️ February – Steampunk and dark skies!

February rounds off the winter season with the North York Moors Dark Skies Festival (5–21 February), offering opportunities to experience some of Yorkshire’s spectacular night skies.

Whitby Steampunk Weekend also returns from 12–14 February, bringing imaginative costumes, Victorian-inspired fashion and plenty of colourful characters to town.

There’s so much more to Whitby than summer!

With its atmospheric cobbled streets, cosy pubs, independent shops, dramatic coastline and spectacular Abbey, Whitby has a special charm during the quieter winter months.

Whether it’s a Halloween getaway, festive weekend or a peaceful winter escape, there are plenty of reasons to visit.

15/10/2026

Have you seen this hill?

Visible for miles around, Freebrough Hill has sparked generations of myths, folklore and debate about how the unusual landmark was formed.

14/10/2026

The Made in Whitby Christmas Festival returns to Whitby Brewery this December! 🎄🎁

Whitby Brewery will get into the festive spirit this December as the Made in Whitby Christmas Festival returns for two days of Christmas shopping, local creativity, and live music.

Taking place on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December, from 11am until 9pm each day, the festival will bring together a Christmas Makers Market showcasing independent makers, artists and creative businesses.

Visitors can browse stalls for unique Christmas gifts, support local businesses and enjoy live music throughout the day, all in the atmospheric surroundings of Whitby Brewery, just a short walk from the famous Abbey.

With festive shopping, great music, and locally brewed b**r, it promises a lovely way to enjoy the Christmas season in Whitby while celebrating the town’s creative spirit.

🎄 Dates: Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December 2026
⏰ Time: 11am–9pm both days
📍 Location: Whitby Brewery
🎁 What’s on: Christmas Makers Market and live music all day.

14/10/2026

Sounds interesting 🧐👍🏼

🌊🔥 THE ELEMENTAL PARADE IS COMING TO MUSICPORT! 🌍💨

Get ready to unleash your creativity and embrace your sea-inspired spirit! ✨🎭 Join us on Saturday 24th October for the Musicport Elemental Parade! A celebration of nature, creativity, community and the four elements: Earth, Air, Fire & Water!

📍 Meet at Captain Cook’s Monument
⏰ 10:00am, Saturday 24th October

We’ll follow the parade down to the beach, where the magic continues! 🌊

✨ Meet EKO, the incredible 13-foot sea giant puppet, bringing a little extra wonder to our elemental celebrations! 🐋💙
🧘 Join in with Tai Chi
🎪 Have a go at circus skills and poi
🎨 Marvel at the beautiful low-tide artwork created by landscape artist James Brunt
🌊 Celebrate our connection with the natural world through creativity, movement and community

🎭 WHAT TO BRING?

Bring yourselves, your families, your masks, your creations, your costumes and, most importantly, your sea-inspired spirit! Whether you come dressed as an element, a sea creature or something completely magical, everyone is welcome!

⚠️ Wet weather plan: If the weather isn’t on our side, EKO and the activities will move inside Whitby Pavilion.

A massive thank you to Red&Yellow Design for creating another amazing poster for us! ❤️ We absolutely love it!

🌍💨🔥💧 COME AND BE PART OF THE PARADE!

📅 23–25 October 2026
📍 Whitby Pavilion, Whitby

🎟️ Festival tickets: https://musicportfestival.com

We can’t wait to see you all there! 🌊🎶❤️

14/10/2026

This looks interesting and not too far from Whitby so think we need to have a walk there 👍🏼

The eerie abandoned reservoir hidden on the North York Moors, not far from Whitby. 🌫️🍂🌊

Hidden away on the wild moorland near Guisborough lies one of North Yorkshire’s most unusual forgotten places — the haunting remains of Westworth Reservoir.

Once a substantial stretch of water surrounded by rolling hills and woodland, the reservoir has almost completely vanished today, leaving a strange, atmospheric landscape of crumbling stonework, overgrown banks, and a solitary overflow tower beside what remains of the water.

Built in the 1870s by the Guisborough Water Company, the reservoir originally supplied drinking water to the nearby town. It continued serving its purpose until the early 1970s, before eventually falling into disuse.

For years, it was a favourite spot for local youngsters who ventured onto the moors to swim, camp, and spend their summer holidays beside the water.

Concerns about the dam's condition led to it being breached in 2002, allowing the reservoir to drain and nature to slowly reclaim the landscape.

Today, the exposed reservoir bed has become a wilderness of grasses, gorse and marshy ground, while the surviving stone structures offer a fascinating glimpse into its Victorian past.

The place feels wonderfully eerie, especially on a misty autumn morning when the surrounding moorland seems completely isolated from the modern world.

For walkers, photographers and anyone fascinated by Yorkshire's forgotten history, Westworth Reservoir is a remarkable reminder of how quickly nature can reclaim what people leave behind.

13/10/2026

Wow that’s great news 👍🏼

Pizza and pasta for just £15 at Pizza West in Whitby until spring. 🍕🍝

Good news for pizza and pasta lovers! Pizza West on Whitby's West Cliff is launching a fantastic new offer tomorrow: ALL pizzas and ALL pasta dishes are just £15!

And it's not just a short-term deal! The offer will run through autumn and winter until spring, giving locals and visitors plenty of chances to enjoy a delicious meal for less.

The board will also feature weekly specials, offering something a little different alongside the regular menu.

Whether you're planning a relaxed lunch, an evening meal, or simply fancy treating yourself after a day exploring Whitby, this sounds like a great excuse to head to Pizza West!

📍 Pizza West, West Cliff, Whitby, YO21 3HT

11/10/2026

We love Sandsend and so do our guests who stay in Turnstone cottage, which sleeps 4 has parking and a fantastic balcony with sea views ❤️💙