Whitby Shops, Food and Fish and Chips – Episode 1
- mark McAlpine
- Oct 17
- 5 min read
Whitby is a town that seems to have it all: history, atmosphere, seaside charm, and food that has become legendary across the UK. As one of Yorkshire’s most iconic coastal destinations, Whitby is a place where narrow streets lead you past quirky shops, where the harbour bustles with activity, and where the smell of freshly cooked fish and chips drifts through the air.
In this first episode of my two-part Whitby adventure, I set out to experience the best of Whitby shops, food and fish and chips. From browsing fossils and jet jewellery, to tasting local fudge, to tucking into Magpie’s famous fish and chips by the harbour, the day turned into the perfect introduction to the town.
Whitby Accommodation Walkthrough
I began my trip with a walkthrough of my accommodation. While not the most glamorous part of any adventure, it sets the tone for the journey. The apartment was simple but cosy, with just the right amount of comfort for a seaside stay. Having a place close to the harbour meant that I could wander out the door and immediately be in the heart of Whitby’s activity.
Accommodation in Whitby ranges from boutique guesthouses to budget stays and seaside cottages. For me, the base was about practicality, somewhere to charge my gear, rest at night, and set out in the morning ready to explore.
Whitby Shops – Fossils, Gems and Jet Jewellery
No trip to Whitby is complete without exploring the shops that line its cobbled streets. Many are full of character, selling everything from handmade crafts to maritime souvenirs.
One of my first stops was a fossil and gem shop. Whitby sits on the Jurassic Coast, and the town has a long history of fossil hunting. Ammonites, jet, and other geological treasures often wash up along the coast, so stepping into one of these shops feels like stepping into a small museum where everything is for sale.
The real highlight for me was visiting Ebor Jet Jewellers, a family-run business that continues a tradition going back centuries. Whitby is world-famous for its jet, a glossy black gemstone formed from fossilised wood around 180 million years ago. Jet became hugely popular in the Victorian era, especially after Queen Victoria wore it during mourning. Even today, Whitby remains one of the best places in the world to find jet jewellery.
At Ebor, they don’t just sell finished pieces; they handcraft their own jewellery on site. Watching artisans at work gives you a deeper appreciation of the skill and tradition behind Whitby jet. It isn’t just another souvenir, it’s a piece of the town’s history.
Fudge Tasting in Whitby Shops, Food and Fish and Chips
The smell of fresh fudge was impossible to ignore as I walked through Whitby’s streets. I followed my nose into a shop called Justin's, and the array of slab chocolate and fudge was amazing.
The fudge was rich, sweet, and melt-in-the-mouth, the sort of treat that takes you straight back to childhood seaside holidays. This is one of the joys of exploring Whitby shops, food and fish and chips: you never know what little indulgence you’ll stumble across.
An Unexpected Find – Free Apples
One of the most surprising and delightful moments of the day came when I spotted a box of apples left on the side of the street with a handwritten “Free apples, Please help yourself” sign. I took one, how could I not?, and bit into a crisp, juicy apple that tasted as fresh as it gets.
This small act summed up the friendliness of Whitby. It’s a town where you can find famous landmarks and bustling shops, but also little gestures of generosity that make you smile.
Whitby’s Famous Fish and Chips at Magpie’s
If there’s one thing Whitby is most famous for, it’s fish and chips. People travel from all over the country to eat here, and Magpie’s is one of the most iconic spots.
I grabbed a takeaway and carried it down to the harbour. Sitting on a bench with the sea breeze, I opened the box to reveal golden fish, perfectly fried chips, and the unmistakable smell of vinegar.
The weather didn’t quite play along, rain lightly fell, making it an authentic British experience, but the food more than made up for it. The batter was crisp, the fish flaky and soft, and the chips perfectly cooked. It was exactly what you’d hope for in Whitby fish and chips, and easily some of the best I’ve ever eaten.
Eating outdoors, with gulls circling overhead and boats chugging by in the harbour, made the moment even more memorable. This is what seaside towns are all about, not just the food, but the atmosphere around it.
The Captain Cook Statue
After my fish and chips, I walked up to the Captain Cook statue, which stands on the West Cliff overlooking the harbour. It’s a striking reminder of Whitby’s maritime past.
Captain James Cook, one of Britain’s most famous explorers, began his seafaring life right here in Whitby. He trained as an apprentice in the harbour, learning the ropes before setting out on voyages that would take him across the globe. Many of his ships were built in Whitby’s yards, linking the town forever with his legacy of exploration. There is a Cook museum and a replica of his ship, the Endeavour, which I did not get into this time around, but will be in there for sure on the next trip to Whitby.
Circling the statue with the Abbey in the background, it’s easy to feel Whitby’s layers of history, from fishing town to shipbuilding hub to literary inspiration.
Wrapping Up the Day
As the rain picked up, I decided to call it a day and head back to my accommodation. With my clothes damp but my stomach full, I reflected on how much Whitby had already delivered.
From the shops full of fossils, gems and jet jewellery, to sweet fudge and even free apples, to the top-class fish and chips at Magpie’s, Episode 1 gave me a real taste of Whitby shops, food and fish and chips. Add in a touch of maritime history with the Captain Cook statue, and it felt like the perfect introduction to the town.
Final Thoughts
Episode 1 of my Whitby journey was all about shops, food and fish and chips, the things that first draw you into the town’s character. It was a day full of discoveries, from the polished black jet jewellery at Ebor to the surprise of a free apple on the street, all topped off with one of the best fish and chip meals I’ve ever had.
But this is just the beginning. In Episode 2, I’ll be diving into the darker, gothic, more historic side of Whitby, following Dracula’s path up the 199 Steps, wandering through St Mary’s graveyard, and looking out over the Abbey ruins, as well as having a cheeky craft pint at the Green Dragon.
Whitby has more layers than I expected, and after just one day, I was hooked. The town’s combination of shops, food and fish and chips, mixed with history and atmosphere, makes it a place worth exploring again and again.
Watch the Episode
You can see the full adventure, from the accommodation walkthrough to fudge tasting and Magpie’s fish and chips, in my video below. The next episode is released on the 24th October, so don't forget to subscribe on YouTube, or join the mailing list here.
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