Retirement homes in Whitby

Retire to Whitby

A view of Whitby from the top of the famous 199 Steps

Retirement living in Whitby

The picturesque seaside town of Whitby has a thriving retirement community with amenities and activities to suit all interests.

On the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park, the town is famous for its links to James Cook, the HMS Endeavour and Bram Stoker’s Dracula. All in all, it’s a prime spot for a coastal retirement.

Local retirees enjoy:

The close proximity to stunning sandy beaches, a bustling harbour and glorious moorlands.
A fantastic mix of independent cafes, restaurants and pubs, as well as boutique shops and High Street names.
Community activities include U3A hobby groups and societies for art lovers, historians, wild swimmers, folk singers and more.

Retirement developments in Whitby

Explore retirement property for sale or rent in Whitby, and find your ideal home for senior living.

Retirement living in Whitby

Whitby is a delightful seaside town with everything you need on your doorstep. It’s considered safe and one of the happiest places to live in Yorkshire.

Whitby Marina, with many boats tied to a dock

Local amenities

Whitby has a wealth of amenities including several supermarkets, a choice of healthcare providers and an abundance of independent shops.

Groceries
The town centre has a large Co-Op alongside independent butchers, bakers and green grocers as well as a deli and fishmonger. You also can find a Sainsburys, Aldi and Lidl in Whitby. Supermarket delivery is available.
Shops
The charming centre offers a mix of antiques, speciality stores, clothing boutiques, gift shops and jewellers selling the famous Whitby jet. Whitby also has several regular markets.
Healthcare
Whitby Hospital offers minor emergency care and outpatient services. There are several GP surgeries including Whitby Group Practice, as well as a choice of dentists and pharmacies.

A view of Whitby Pier and the harbour from 199 Steps

Activities for retirees in Whitby

There are plenty of things to do in Whitby, from a stroll along the beach and pier to counting the steps up to St Mary’s Church. Here are some of the highlights:

Historic attractions, museums and art galleries include the iconic Whitby Abbey, Cholmley House and the 199 Steps.
The Victorian Whitby Pavilion for films, live comedy, live music and more.
Award-winning fish and chips and seafood—famously kippers.
Scenic steam train trips via the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

A statue of a fisherman in Whitby town centre

Enjoy an active retirement in Whitby

The town has plentiful amenities for an active retirement, including a leisure centre, cricket club, rugby club with squash courts and a golf club on the edge of the town.

Whitby is on the Cleveland Way, a coastal walking trail offering beautiful views of the North Sea and North Yorkshire Moors National Park.
The many pretty local parks provide an easy-to-reach alternative to get your fix of fresh air and nature.
Whitby’s seafront and closeness to the River Esk make it a great spot for wild swimming, kayaking, sailing and fishing.

Green grass and trees in one of the many parks in Whitby

Explore the surrounding areas

Whitby is well-connected to the rest of Yorkshire and public transport makes trips to surrounding towns and villages, like the attractive fishing village, Robin Hood’s Bay, easy. Nearby Staithes and Sandsend provide typical Victorian charm and idyllic seaside walks.

For a more metropolitan feel, Middlesbrough or Scarborough are roughly an hour away and will give you a wide variety of shopping, entertainment and cultural experiences.

Aerial view of Whitby, showing both sides of town and the central swing bridge

Transport and connections

Whitby is compact and walkable, with excellent connections to the surrounding areas:

By car
The A171 connects the town to nearby cities like Scarborough (40 minutes away) and Middlesbrough (60 minutes away).
By bus
The town has a reliable bus network that runs regularly throughout the day, making it easy to explore surrounding towns.
By rail
Whitby train station has services to Hexham and Middlesbrough stopping in small towns along the way.

Retirement living in Whitby FAQs

Utility bills in Whitby match the national average. While tourism can make restaurants along the seafront more expensive, there are good budget options as well. Our retirement apartments are in priced in line with property pricing for the area, making a coastal retirement more affordable.

Whitby has a hospital which provides outpatient services, minor injury care, physical therapy, and other services. There is also a choice of GPs, dentists and pharmacies. The nearest A&E is at Scarborough Hospital.

With 56% of Whitby’s population aged 65+, there is a large retirement community with groups suited to every interest and hobby, from local history to kayaking, writing, sports and fishing. Most groups can be found online or via local notice boards.