Weve spent many a week in Whitby - its a charming place, nice little shops and tea rooms. Im vegan but the magpie cafe gets rave reviews - we braved the ques once, the vege menu was good but everyone goes there for the fish.
The abbey is worth a visit, the ghost and dracula walks are very good quality too.
We used Whitby as a base to explore further - the Moors are a great day out we went as far as Thirsk, stopping off at various market towns, pubs and abbeys/museums. Robins Hood bay, Staithes etc...nice little villages to explore. Scarboroughs a 40 min drive away - bigger but not as much character as Whitby i felt.
It will be busy in Aug i think theres a flok festival which draws mega crowds and not sure when the goth festival is?
Love the place - am sure we will return!
Alison