Any time is a great time to stay at The Hayloft Holiday Cottage Whitby. However, if you’d like to make your visit especially memorable, why not coincide your trip with one of a number of regular events that take place in Whitby and the surrounding area?
Whitby Regatta
Whitby and the sea are synonymous. In mid-August each year, the town celebrates this connection with an annual regatta and for three days, a real carnival atmosphere descends.
Trawlers give way to rowing boats as the harbour comes alive with crews from across Whitby and Scarborough competing for various trophies – including the coveted Wilson Cup which dates back to 1901.
On dry land, the West Pier becomes home to a fair complete with white knuckle rides and stalls selling souvenirs and food.
A stone’s throw away, on the town’s West Cliff, you can discover displays from the RAF, Army and Navy, gasp in awe at dog displays, see a classic car rally and even watch the Red Arrows. The festivities are then capped off by a grand parade with decorated floats and in the evening, by a spectacular fireworks display.
Whitby Folk Week
Whitby enjoys a long and proud musical tradition. In an age gone by, the sound of sea shanties and of fiddles and accordions played by sailors and fishermen enjoying a brief respite ashore would have filled the town’s narrow cobbled streets.
Over the centuries this musical connection has endured and evolved. In particular, Whitby now enjoys a close association with folk music and once a year, during the week immediately preceding the August Bank Holiday, the town plays host to Whitby Folk Week (WFW).
This seven day celebration of the traditional music, dances and songs of the British Isle draws together both well known and yet-to-be discovered performers for what truly is a festival of musical delights.
Around 600 events take place at indoor venues, open spaces and on the town’s streets – from workshops and concerts to singarounds, dances and spontaneous 'fringe' events which frequently erupt.
Goth weekends
Whitby has a long association with the Gothic thanks largely to Bram Stoker.
After visiting Whitby in 1890, the author was so inspired by the town's character, the ruins of the Abbey and the dark silhouette of St. Mary's Church that he used Whitby as a key setting in his legendary novel 'Dracula'.
Ever since, the town has become a spiritual home to anyone with an interest in the Gothic – whether that’s in the literature, the music, the clothing or the subculture.
Once a year, in April and in October (as close to possible to Halloween... naturally), Whitby plays host to Goth Weekends where people from all walks of life come together to celebrate their shared passion.
Lace and leather are the order of the day as the streets bustle with people dressed in dark and dramatic clothing reminiscent of the Victorian age or with a touch of the steam punk.
A number of events also take place – including performances by bands and DJs.