Maudie, you and I were in each other's footsteps, snd I'm not surprised we saw things the same way. I would have traded my time in Whitby for Robin Hood's Bay.

I have never finished my trip report, but I think I'm going to put it up here unfinished. We did have an amazing time and loved the NY Moors, the Dales, the Lakes and then we went on to Liverpool we were met with our friend and had another great time. Watch for my partial trip report!

Obviously the time of year is a big factor in most tourist towns. We were there in May and found it very easy to get around and no great crowds. We also spent time visiting the NY Moors, Robin Hood's Bay and Staithes so plenty to see and do.

Hi Jenny, we were there in June, wasn't overly crowded but just didn't do it for us. But that said the whole area is wonderful, easy to fill a week with plenty to do and see.

Right tuscan, I'll hold you to it and look out for your report. Did you get a chance to read mine and compare notes? I think we could quite happily have travelled together!

I also love Whitby and you have received lots of good suggestions above. The only one I'd add is to stop on one of your drives for a modest lunch (may be just sandwiches) at the Birch Hall Inn in Beck Hole, which may be a uniquely unspoilt pub - certainly I've never been anywayhere else quite like it, and I am a fan of unspoilt pubs. Good ales too.

Oh, and I can't see that anyone above has mentioned the Dracula connection - you may wish to read or reread the book before you go or while you are there. The church is worth a visit with or without an interest in Dracula.

Hi Caroline, we went out to Beck Hole to the pub after reading about it in the Whitby paper for lunch and it was closed so will try again next time. The other great place we stumbled across for lunch was the Wheatsheaf Inn Egton http://www.wheatsheafegton.com/ probably one of the nicest pub lunches we had in the UK. Looking forward to going back next visit

Staithes is just north of Whitby and is somewhere I have always wanted to visit. It looks fairly dramatic.

Beck Hole pub was a great stop for a drink on the Rail Trail walk, Grosmont to Goathland or vise a versa.

Yes it is humptynumpty. The day we went there they were filming a new mystery show there so you couldn't get around very well.

We were in Whitby in late May.

I specifically wanted to go there for the Dracula connections. I kind of loved Stoker's book when I was younger, and actually used to use it as a teaching tool in certain writing classes.

Alas, I was only spooked by dinner at The Magpie.

Staithes is great - used to have a terrific fish restaurant called The Endeavour which has now sadly closed. It's not really similar to Robin Hood's Bay except there's a very steep hill down and there are restrictions on driving in the old centre. Best visited out of season - we stayed there for a few days one winter and I can safely say it was 'bracing'.
I like Whitby but can see why people don't take to it. Children love to visit if they have read the excellent 'Whitby Witches' series of books.
Also The Plot by Madeleine Bunting (a memoir) is very good if visiting the NY Moors area.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Plot-Biograp....../1847080855

www.robinjarvis.com/whitbyhome.html
The main tourist hot spots in the area (Castle Howard, Fountains, Rievaulx etc) are well documented, but for anyone who wants a few of the less popular ones then can I suggest -
1) Wheeldale Roman Road - you'll be the only ones walking up there on it! Very atmospheric.
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/d...le-roman-road/
2) Byland Abbey
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/d.../byland-abbey/
3) Elvington Air Museum
www.yorkshireairmuseum.org
4) Eden Camp (ideal for a rainy day)
www.edencamp.co.uk
5) Scampston Walled Gardens
www.scampston.co.uk
6)Burton Agnes Hall
www.burtonagnes.com
7) Mount Grace Priory
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-mountgracepriory

I have just got to this part of the British coast in my blog (I am blogging my way around the coast of Britain). It has some useful links and photos. Why don't you have a look: http://postcards-pfte.blogspot.com/