Perfect little UK seaside town's magical Christmas market opens this Friday

When you think of Christmas, your mind might not immediately be taken to the seaside, but Whitby in North Yorkshire proves the two can go together perfectly. This weekend the little town’s magical Christmas market opens for three days only.

The market will open this Friday, November 14, and run daily through Sunday, November 16. There’s no better time for a weekend trip to the town. In the market will be lots of food, mulled wine and artisanal stalls selling great Christmas gifts for all from scores of stalls. 

There are set to be two bakeries, a festive gift shop, homemade jams, bespoke jewellery, soaps, chocolates, handmade glass Christmas ornaments, a dog toys stand, locally farmed pork products, clothes and more.

In a coastal twist to the normal Christmas market there will also be stands set up in beach huts serving crepes, reading fortunes, selling wine and grilling meats.

But beyond the Christmas festivities, Whitby itself has a great deal to offer too. Perhaps the most famous attraction is the 199 steps up to the beautiful ruins of St Mary’s Church and the Abbey for stunning views across the harbour and out to sea. This is where Dracula lands in England in Bram Stoker’s novel.

Down in the town itself, the harbour is a great place to stroll and get a helping of fish and chips. Perhaps visit Mister Chips by The Beach and look out to the lighthouse across the River Esk that divides the town.

Whitby is also well known for its jewellery, particularly for their Whitby Jet designs. Whitby Jet is Jurassic aged fossilised wood of the North York Moors and these Yorkshire artisans create beautiful bracelets and necklaces out of these ancient minerals. The Ebor Jetworks is an obvious place to start here in the beautiful 17th Century building. It has been family run for generations and is renowned for using centuries old traditional methods to craft their jet jewelry.

Another good jewellery spot is Robert and Victoria Whitby Jet, a family-run business begun in 1979, where you can find a unique gift for that special person in your life.

Beyond jewellery, Whitby is also home to lots of other artisanal shops like the Shepherd’s Pures Boutique or the Lucky Ducks shop, which sells handcrafted glass ornaments by Whitby Glass Ltd. A local shop, Whitby Wholefoods, specialises in sustainable and vegan-friendly foods, with walls and shelves lined with jam jars and chutneys.

The town is even a good spot for thrill seekers with England’s only bridge bungee jump nearby from the Larpool Viaduct. There is also an escape room for those up for a puzzle.

For the drinkers, there is the Whitby Distillery which offers a behind the scenes tour of their award winning spirits operation. Beyond this there are local museums hosting fossils of dinosaurs and other artefacts.

Whitby is a place that you can come for the Christmas market but you will stay for everything else. It’s easy to get to as well with its own train station.