Let’s first talk about Whitby and then, we will explore the best parking spots there, both free and paid.
Whitby is a picturesque seaside town in North Yorkshire which sits at the mouth of the River Esk. Though the population is small, it’s one of the most popular seaside resorts in Britain and welcomes many visitors due to its rich maritime and cultural history.
Probably the most famous thing about Whitby is the ruins of the Abbey, originally built around the 12th century. It sits on the cliffs overlooking the harbour and is a formidable and familiar sight. The Abbey and the town itself are also famously featured in the novel Dracula by Bram Stoker, making it a must-visit for both literature buffs and people in the Gothic subculture. Whitby has leaned into this by hosting Whitby Goth Weekend since 1994 – this festival attracts visitors from all over the world. There are also many indie, alternative shops in the town as a result of its status as a Gothic pilgrimage.
Whitby is also where Captain Cook, who later went on to discover and chart east Australia and Hawaii, learned seamanship – a replica of his ship, the Endeavour, is a tourist attraction in Whitby harbour. The town is where valuable Whitby Jet was mined and perfected – this material was particularly popular during the Victorian era, when it was used in mourning jewellery. Aside from the history and culture that lives in Whitby, the town itself is quaint and pretty with close access to the wild North Yorkshire Moors.
Because of its small size and winding, cobbled streets, Whitby can be a difficult place to park. Central car parks can get expensive quickly, and it’s difficult to know which streets you are permitted to park in. On this page, we’ve gathered the best free parking options in Whitby for your convenience. See the map below for a quick look, or read on for more information and parking opportunities.
Important Note:
While UKFreeParking.com takes every step to ensure that the parking information provided is accurate at the time of writing, local ordinances, parking availability, parking prices, and parking regulations change with time.
UKFreeParking.com accepts no responsibility for any fines or tickets received as a result of using our website.
Please ensure that you park your vehicle safely and responsibly every time, making sure to adhere to local parking rules, signs, and regulations.
Free Parking in Whitby
Residential Streets
Because of its popularity, Whitby employs Controlled Parking Zones in its town centre. These are times when a permit is required to park in a specific location, and all other parking is limited. Permits can be obtained, but they must be paid for. Your best bet is to park on residential streets that have few or no restrictions. This can be difficult if you are unfamiliar with the area and do not want to waste time looking for a suitable parking spot.
The list below includes some residential streets where you can park without a permit. The caveat is that some of them have time restrictions, so always check road signage to ensure you are aware of any time limits you must adhere to. The lists are arranged by direction from the town and walking distance to the center.
Free Overnight Parking in Whitby
If you want to stay in Whitby and want to know where you can park for free overnight, there are several options. The following roads are restricted during the day, but become unlimited at night from 6pm-9am.
- Pavilion Drive/Top YO21 3EN
- West Cliff YO21 3EG
- St Hildas Terrace YO21 3AE
- Endeavour Wharf & Marina Front YO21 1YN
- Church Street YO22 4AS
- Abbey Headland YO22 4JT
Parking on residential streets or after hours, while free, comes with a different cost: time and effort. There is no guarantee that you will find a space in these streets, and it may take some time. There is also the added effort of walking to the destinations you want to visit, which may be difficult for disabled people, the elderly, and young children.
South Whitby
You can walk up the harbour side from a southern residential street, stopping at attractions such as the Captain Cook Memorial Museum and the Dracula Experience. The route will pass through the main shopping district before heading to the harbor and beaches. There is also the option of branching off and ascending the famous 199 Steps to the Church of St Mary and Whitby Abbey.
- Gray Street YO21 1EP – 3 miles
- Lyndhurst Close YO21 1EQ – 4 miles
- George Street YO21 1EW – 4 miles
- Cleveland Terrace YO21 1PB – 4 miles
- Falcon Terrace YO21 1EH – 4 miles
- Gledhill Drive YO21 1LS – 5 miles
- Meadowfields YO21 1QF – 5 miles
- St Marys Crescent YO22 4ER – 6 miles
- The Ropery YO22 4EY – 6 miles
- Captain Cook Crescent YO22 4HL – 8 miles
- Pembroke Way YO21 1NT – 9 miles
- St Andrews Road YO21 1LH – 1 mile
West Whitby
From the west, you have several options for getting into the town center. You can walk along the cliff side, which overlooks the sea and includes the Whalebone Arch and Bram Stoker’s Bench. Before heading to the shops and the harbour, consider taking a short detour to Pannett Park and Whitby museum. The main attractions are easily accessible from wherever you park in this small town.
- Newton Street YO21 1QX – 2 miles
- Well Close Terrace YO21 3AR – 3 miles
- Walker Street YO21 1QT – 3 miles
- Spring Vale YO21 1JG – 5 miles
- Kirkham Road YO21 1HE – 6 miles
- Kirkham Close YO21 1JR – 6 miles
- Station Avenue YO21 3EB – 7 miles
- Marlborough Avenue YO21 3JE – 9 miles
- White Point Avenue YO21 3JG – 1 mile
- Mulgrave Road YO21 3JS – 1 mile
- Valley Road YO21 3JN – 1 miles
- Mulgrave Crescent YO21 3JU – 1 miles
In addition to checking for any signage indicating parking limits, follow the usual rules for on-street parking. Do not park over entrances, driveways, or double-yellow lines. Keep noise to a minimum, especially in the evenings and at night, to show respect for the residents. Remember that parking on residential streets is done at your own risk.
Be aware that all of these streets are downhill from the Abbey and will necessitate a walk up the 199 steps. If you have people in your party who struggle to walk up inclines, we would not recommend parking outside of the official car park.
Cheapest Paid Parking Options in Whitby
If you prefer the convenience and security of an official parking lot, paid parking is available. Some of them are quite expensive, so we’ve compiled a list of the cheapest options we could find, complete with postcodes for your GPS and prices for a two-hour stay.
- Cliff Street YO21 3DD – £2.90 for 2 hours
- Silver Street YO21 3BX – £2.50 for 2 hours
- St Hildas Terrace YO21 3AE – £2.90 for 2 hours
- The Co-Operative Food, Langborne Road YO21 1YW – £2.00 for 2 hours
- Marina Harbour YO21 1YN – £3.00 for 2 hours
Your day out in Whitby doesn’t need to be marred with the stress of expensive parking. Instead, save your money and use it to enjoy the beauty and history of this little town. We hope that the information we’ve provided helps to make your trip as smooth as possible.