Durham & Whitby

From a morning pickup in your local area, we travel by coach to Durham. This beautiful city’s medieval roots are evident in its cathedral and gothic buildings which line the banks of the River Wear. Later, the coach takes us to our hotel where we check in and enjoy an evening meal.

Durham & Whitby

After breakfast, we leave the hotel and travel to Whitby, a seaside town that has undergone little change for over a century. Take a stroll and see the famous ruined abbey or relax on one of its sandy beaches and indulge in fish and chips! We then rejoin the coach for our journey home.

Wander Whitby’s cobbled lanes and climb the 199 Steps to St Mary’s Church, where sweeping views reveal Whitby Abbey crowning the headland and the harbour and piers below. Drift back through shop-lined streets and, if you wish, sample traditional fish and chips by the waterfront.

Absorb a town shaped by seafarers, whalers, and explorers. Captain Cook trained here, and Bram Stoker drew eerie inspiration from the abbey’s silhouette. Red-roofed cottages tumble to the shore, fishing cobles bob on the tide, and the tang of the North Sea sets Whitby’s maritime scene.

Visit Whitby Abbey on the East Cliff headland, where sky-piercing arches and shattered tracery command views over the town and the North Sea. Walk among atmospheric ruins and landscaped grounds as gulls wheel overhead and waves break far below the cliff.

Founded in the 7th century under St Hilda and later refashioned by Benedictine monks, the abbey helped shape English Christianity and literature—its silhouette inspiring Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Optional entry at additional cost, bookable on tour; includes time to explore the site museum and viewpoints.

Cruise the coast from Whitby’s harbour and piers, feeling the North Sea breeze as the town’s red roofs and abbey ruins recede. Glide beneath cliff faces and lighthouses while the skipper shares local lore; keep watch for kittiwakes and seasonal marine life along the headland.

This gentle voyage reveals Whitby’s maritime setting from the water—the best angle on its shipyards, breakwaters, and dramatic geology. Optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour; routes are weather dependent and typically last around 30–60 minutes.

Step inside the Captain Cook Memorial Museum, set in the 17th-century harbour house where the young apprentice lived. Examine charts, drawings, and artifacts from his voyages of discovery, tracing how Whitby-built ships and skilled navigators reshaped global maps.

Curators illuminate Cook’s training within this Georgian harbour town of sail lofts and shipyards, revealing the craft, courage, and scientific curiosity behind ocean exploration. Optional entry at additional cost, bookable on tour; allow time to browse exhibits and period rooms.

Challenge yourself to climb the Central Tower of Durham Cathedral, ascending 325 worn stone steps to sweeping views over the castle-topped peninsula and looping River Wear. Feel the chill of high air and the thrill of medieval engineering beneath your feet.

From the parapet, the city’s rooftops, college courts, and wooded banks unfold in every direction, while the Romanesque nave lies far below. Optional upgrade at additional cost, bookable on tour; access is subject to weather and opening times.

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site encircling Durham Cathedral and Castle on the rocky loop of the River Wear. Amble through medieval lanes to Palace Green and along leafy riverside paths, where stone bridges frame the skyline and you can pause for photos and reflection on this storied peninsula.

Discover a masterpiece of Norman architecture begun in 1093, built to honor St Cuthbert and the power of the Prince-Bishops. Those who wish may step inside independently to admire the rib-vaulted nave and tranquil cloister whenever opening times permit, soaking up centuries of worship and craftsmanship.