What to do in Goathland

Activities, attractions and tours

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Types of activities

Goathland travel guide

Goathland Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Goathland has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Goathland, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to Goathland with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in Goathland

Goathland is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Goathland, and make it a breeze to explore Goathland and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Goathland to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to Goathland, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in Goathland.

Goathland attractions

Goathland has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in Goathland to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Goathland.

Looking for things to do in Goathland can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of Goathland or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Goathland attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

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Top places to visit

1. Scarborough Open Air Theatre

Scarborough Open Air Theatre is a mixed entertainment venue set on a lake in Scarborough’s Northstead Manor Gardens. Its stage is on an island in the middle of the water while the audience has seating on the eastern bank. Throughout the summer months Scarborough Open Air Theatre has a busy schedule of music, theater and sporting events.

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Watch productions and performances by world-famous music acts at one of the largest outdoor theaters in Europe, a venue with a stage in an unusual setting.

2. South Bay Beach

South Bay Beach is the livelier of Scarborough’s main sandy stretches. The Castle Headland provides shelter from the northern winds, enabling excellent sunbathing conditions. Scarborough Castle stands at the northern part of the beach, while Scarborough Spa borders the south edge. Traverse the sandy bay in style with a traditional donkey ride.

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South Bay Beach featuring a coastal town and a bay or harbour

3. Whitby Abbey

Whitby Abbey is a set of gothic clifftop ruins that inspired the literary legend of Dracula. In addition to its ecclesiastical role, the monastery served for centuries as a landmark for sailors and inspiration for writer Bram Stoker. Enjoy a picnic on a grassy patch nearby and amble through the ruins to get a sense of the abbey’s history.

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Whitby Abbey featuring a church or cathedral and heritage architecture

4. North Bay Beach

North Bay Beach is a tranquil stretch of golden sand with restaurants, beach cabins and family activities. It is the quieter and wilder of Scarborough’s two main beaches, a little farther out from the town center. Trek with your family past the picturesque outcrops and rock pools to the main sandy area and headland.

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North Bay Beach featuring a coastal town and a beach as well as a large group of people

5. Scarborough Spa

Scarborough Spa is a vast complex offering many events and activities in an impressive heritage-listed cliffside building. As its name suggests, the site was built around the region’s spa waters, although it is now known for its Jazz Festival, Spa Orchestra, dances and concerts. Move around the complex to appreciate its excellent views of the sea.

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Scarborough Spa which includes theatre scenes, general coastal views and performance art

Recommended things to do in Goathland

Number of things to do	4
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia	Whitby's Historic East Side: An audio tour uncovering the east side's tales: £7
Top 5 things to do	York & North Yorkshire – Online Self-Guided Road Trip Plan North Yorkshire Forestry Trail eBike Adventure Whitby: Guided Distillery Tour with Gin Tasting Whitby's Historic East Side: An audio tour uncovering the east side's tales
Half-day tours	Whitby: Guided Distillery Tour with Gin Tasting Whitby's Historic East Side: An audio tour uncovering the east side's tales
With kids

What to do in Goathland

Popular places to visit

Whitby Harbour

Explore the waterfront in Whitby with a trip to Whitby Harbour. Wander the area's waterfront or simply enjoy one of its lively bars.

Whitby Beach

Why not spend a care-free afternoon at Whitby Beach during your travels in Whitby? While you're in the area, stroll along the waterfront.

Whitby Abbey

Unravel the story behind Dracula in this dramatic 13th-century monastery and enjoy its intricate carvings, fascinating stories and spectacular coastal views.

Robin Hood's Bay Beach

Explore the rugged coastline and beach of this quirky coastal village where smugglers hid contraband using a network of tunnels.

Whitby Pavilion

Overlooking Whitby Bay is a Victorian-era theater that hosts a range of concerts, movie screenings, plays and festivals.

West Cliff Beach

Why not spend a lazy afternoon at West Cliff Beach during your trip to Whitby? While you're in the area, stroll along the waterfront.

Whalebone Arch

You can learn about the history of West Cliff with a trip to Whalebone Arch. Stroll along the beautiful beaches in this relaxing area or visit its lively bars.

Mallyan Spout Waterfall

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Mallyan Spout Waterfall during your travels in Whitby. Visit the lively bars or top-notch restaurants in this culturally rich area.

Whitby Lighthouse

Learn about the local history of Stainsacre with a stop at Whitby Lighthouse. Wander through the waterfront and beautiful beaches in this relaxing area.

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