A day out in Whitby

I guess this falls under the guidelines for this blog - though it takes place on the Yorkshire coast.

I love Whitby and have a real affection for Robin Hood's bay.

On Sunday we drove to Whitby and parked up on West Cliff. The parking ticket machine wasn't working but that didn't upset me.

We walked into the main part of the town to catch a bus to RHB. There's no indication on the stands of which bus is heading where.

You have to check out each timetable. Now that is a faff when you are in a rush. But we weren't so I wasn't that bothered.

However, I was bothered to find that a 20 minute bus journey for two adults and two children was going to cost me £10 - and that was the special day pass rate!

So thank you Arriva for fleecing visitors to the area. To be fair, the bus driver handled it really well and thought the price was ridiculous as well.

After a picnic we headed back to Whitby on the old railway line. In its glory days it must have been a fantastic trip. It still is - apart from ending when you reach the main coast road.

So we took a right turn and headed for Whitby Abbey. A really nice stroll and from there it was to the Magpie Cafe.

Now I am something of a fish 'n' chip aficionado so I know something of this subject. We've had a meal in the restaurant before and not been particularly impressed.

It doesn't compare to the Royale (or Fuscoe's to the locals) on Baxtergate, nor to Trenchers or even the Quayside restaurant.

But people still queue there.

We tried the takeaway - which still had a queue. So you would hope for a decent meal.

Apart from the queue I was staggered to see people waiting in line for quality fish and chips only to buy battered sausage! Or buy a fish and smother it in curry sauce!

Is it me? Why queue for ages at a takeaway with such a grand reputation and not try the fish?

The Magpie was excellent when it first opened. I was one of its first customers and enjoyed it there. Now though it looks like they are trading on their (hard earned) reputation but who can blame them?

Enjoy Whitby. It still has a charm of its very own, lots to see and do but do try and give the other restaurants a chance.

Tips on other decent food outlets in Whitby gratefully received! Please leave a comment below.

(By the way, I haven't had a bad meal in any of the eating places in Robin Hood's Bay and can particularly recommend the chippy up the side street and the pub at the bottom of the hill).

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