Kiddies Corner

West Cliff

Airy Hill Play Park

George Stephenson
at Whitby

	Web whitby.manymore.net

The Beach:

When we moved here in 1996 our two youngest children where 8 and 6 and as you would expect, the sea and sand were their first priority. Many happy hours where spent exploring the beaches, particularly amongst the rock pools at low tide just beyond the Pavilion Spa complex.

As they got a little older the area beyond the East Pier became favourite, with its rocky shoreline and spectacular waves. There are lots of fossils to see in the surface of the rocks and lots of pools containing various creatures, which my kids found fascinating. Unfortunately the caves just beyond the Pier are now gone following a major landslide into the sea.

On the bright side, however, it prompted major works giving much easier access and the reopening of the East Pier after many years of neglect. The Bridge linking the pier to its extension has not yet been replaced but it will be in due course.

Tate Hill Sands:

Inside the lower harbour on the East side, below Henrietta Street is this small beach. Its a bit steeper than the main beach so the sand dries out more quickly and the waves tend not to be as big, and the youngest kids seem to play happily there for hours.


Kiddies Corner:

There are always kids fishing at Kiddies Corner, which is adjacent to the swing bridge on the west side. You'll be surprised at just how many fish are caught using the simplest line and reel.

Pier Road:

If your kids enjoy the amusements and everything to do with being at the seaside, try a walk down Pier Road. Once you get past Woolworth's kids really are at the seaside. On one side the harbour with seagulls, fishing boats, and boat trips out to sea, and on the other side, shops, amusements, rides, buckets and spades, candy floss, ice cream and of course fish and chips. Beyond the Dracula experience and the stalls selling all manner of seafood, burgers, and mementos, are the amusements and an assortment of gift shops. When you get to the old Lifeboat station its decision time. Will it be the west pier or the beach?

Pavilion Spa Complex:

Make some inquiries at the ticket office up on West Cliff for the entertainment provided at the Pavilion Spa, for children and adults alike. The place has a pleasant atmosphere and there's always something going on.

West Cliff:

With a boating lake, paddling pool, go-cart track, crazy golf course and various other entertainment facilities, your kids are likely to want to stay all day.

Captain Cook stands looking out over the harbour next to the whales jaw bones erected to form an arch. It's from here that you can join one of Harry Collets evening ghost walks and learn a little about Whitby's spooky past.

Saltwick Nab:

If you fancy a short walk, set off along the Cleveland Way which can be accessed behind the Abbey, on the East side. Enjoy the walk along the very edge of the Cliff (its fenced so its safe for kids), you can look down at the sea below and see the remains of wooden shipwrecks but a mile or so further on and you will come to the outcrop of land known as Saltwick Nab. Its quite an amazing place. My children likened the bare parts to a Moonscape. The green area has waterfalls, rocks and a little lake. Its a great place to take in the sea air.

Airy Hill Play Park:

Local residents organized the creation of this excellent facility for Kids. Its located opposite Airy Hill Primary School and is just at the West end of the new bridge.

Whitby Leisure Centre:

Up on the West Cliff the Leisure Centre provides lots of facilities to entertain both Kids and Adults. The pool is rather pleasant and has a viewing area for those adults who don't want to get wet, but who want to watch their kids!

Whitby Railway Station:

Kids love steam trains, and now you don't have to go to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway to see them. Steam trains operate regularly from Whitby, direct to Pickering from March to the end of October. So why not take the kids on a little adventure and ride behind a Steam Locomotive along the Esk Valley and across the moors to Pickering. Information and Tickets are available from the Booking Office on Whitby Station or look on the NYMR Website at: www.nymr.co.uk/


Larpool Viaduct:

As you approach Whitby from Pickering on the A169, or from Guisborough on the A171, the two most prominent structures are Whitby Abbey and the Metropole building with its four pinnacles, but look down and to the right and Larpool viaduct looks just as impressive. Its was built to take the railway from Whitby to Scarborough over the River Esk but now it's part of a footpath and cyclepath. So if you and your kids fancy a bike ride this is ideal and if you don't want to bring your bikes on holiday with you, you can hire them from "Trailways" at Hawsker station, which is about two miles out of Whitby, on the A171 towards Scarborough.

Updated 12/03/21