Whitby Wandering Part II: Crab Fishing, Fortune’s Kippers & the Quirky Whitby Museum

Crab Fishing in Whitby: A Must‑Do With Kids

Crab fishing is one of those classic British seaside traditions, and this was a first for kiddo, my husband, and me. We armed ourselves with a bucket, a net, and a crab‑baiting line. Local shops sell everything you need, some as a bundle, others individually and you’ll spend around £5/8.

Tip: Don’t buy just the fishing line. We did, and without the net attached it’s a bit trickier to catch our crabby friends.

Still, we managed to catch a couple, which we gently released soon after (with their bait as a thank you). Watching my daughter’s big eyes light up when her net came back up with her new pincy mates was priceless. And honestly, seeing those fantastic crustaceans up close is a joy, they’re absolutely wonderful creatures.

Whitby Lobster Hatchery: Protecting the Future of Yorkshire’s Coast

Right in the centre of the harbour sits the Whitby Lobster Hatchery, and you really can’t miss it. Their mission is incredible: releasing 100,000 lobsters to help protect Yorkshire’s fishing heritage and maintain ecological balance.

During our visit, we learned about the whole process, from egg‑bearing lobsters brought in by local fishermen, to the tiny juveniles growing safely in the hatchery before being released into the wild.

The staff deserve a shout‑out: friendly, passionate, and genuinely excited to share what they do. And yes, the fish there have the best names ever, Pancake, Waffle, Crêpe… absolutely hilarious and adorable.

I highly recommend visiting and supporting their amazing work.

Fortune’s Kippers : A True Whitby Classic

Now let’s talk kippers. When in Whitby, everyone knows about the famous Magpie Café, but you must try Fortune’s Kippers, a traditional smokehouse founded in 1872. They’re still trading on the same premises and using pretty much the same techniques.

Get there early, bring cash (no card payments), and grab your smoked kippers. The traditional way is to boil them, which is exactly what we did back at our self‑catering rental.

I’ll be honest: the flavour was a bit strong for me, but my husband absolutely loved it and demolished both fish in no time. His only regret was not bringing some home, we weren’t sure how they’d survive the car journey.

Whitby Museum; Weird, Wonderful, and Absolutely Unmissable

Please, do me a favour and go visit Whitby Museum.

How do I even describe it? If you want to see the weird and the wonderful packed under one roof, haunted dolls, the Hand of Glory, fossils, maritime treasures, and all sorts of curiosities, then this is your place.

It’s quirky, slightly eerie, full of character, and perfect for curious minds (kids and adults alike). Every corner holds something unexpected, and it gives you a deeper sense of Whitby’s heritage, folklore, and natural history.

In one word: Fantastic.

So yes, Whitby gave us crabs (the cute kind), lobsters (the teeny kind), kippers (the very strong kind), and a museum full of weird and wonderful treasures. Honestly, what more could you want from a seaside trip? Stay tuned for Part III, because Whitby still has a few surprises up its sleeve.
Have you ever been to Whitby?