West Cliff Beach

The sand stretches wide and golden when the tide's out, backed by those distinctive Victorian cliffs that give West Cliff its name. You're looking at one of Whitby's best beaches - proper working seaside, not some sanitised resort nonsense. The promenade runs along the top with ice cream shops and cafes, but the real draw is the beach itself: rock pools to explore at low tide, space to actually spread out without fighting for an inch of sand, and views across to the East Cliff and the abbey ruins perched up there.

Families do well here. Kids can spend hours turning over rocks and hunting crabs; the sand's firm enough for confident paddlers, and the slope is gentle. The beach gets busy in summer but rarely feels rammed like some Yorkshire coastal spots. Allow two to three hours if you're serious about beachcombing, less if you just want a quick paddle and a walk.

It's free, naturally - this is a proper public beach. Timing matters: visit within a couple of hours either side of low tide for the best experience and maximum rock pool action. High tide eats into the sand considerably.

If you're staying at Broadings Farm or Whitby Holiday Park, you're minutes away. Even Northcliffe & Seaview, further up the coast, makes West Cliff an easy half-hour drive for a beach day. The promenade connects to the rest of Whitby's attractions without feeling forced - it's just part of how the town works. Real North Yorkshire seaside, the kind that doesn't try too hard.