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Passport To Wonder, Brighouse (2026)

07/08/2026

Still exploring even when we’re not away! ✈️ 💌

A new month always means Nicholas eagerly waiting for his next letter to arrive from the Future Explorers' Club !

Last month we were off exploring Greenland 🇬🇱, and this month his letter has taken him all the way to Darjeeling, India 🇮🇳.

We both really love the idea behind these. It’s a little bit of travel and learning from home, so even when we haven’t got a trip planned, Nicholas can still discover somewhere new.

Each pack has loads to keep him busy, a letter from the destination (which he will do more research and reading on), facts about the area, activities and challenges, plus a recipe linked to the place for him to try local tasty cuisine or treats.

This month it’s Matar Paneer, which Nicholas will be having a go at making too! 🥘 I’m quite keen on the recipe side because it gets him learning about a country in another way and encourages him to try foods he might not normally choose. We’ll see what he thinks of this one, he already asked if we can add chicken to it 😂

A little bit of exciting news for us too - we’ve been made a Future Explorers Club ambassador, so we have our own affiliate link, eeeks! 🤗

If you fancy giving it a try with your own little explorer, here’s our link 🔗 - https://futureexplorersclub.com?sca_ref=11983341.1x6DfTivFhIoHqO. We earn a small commission if you sign up through it, at no extra cost to you, which helps support our own little adventures. ☺️

For us, travel isn’t only about getting on a plane or jumping in the car. There’s always somewhere new to discover, even from our kitchen table. 🌎🥰

Next stop from home, Darjeeling! 🇮🇳

04/08/2026

We’re off on another little adventure for a couple of days! 🥰🙌🏻

Don’t know what Nicholas’ plans are though! 😂 He tried explaining to me in the car saying he doesn’t really like planning. He just likes getting somewhere, and then just go with the flow, unless there’s something he really, really wants to do. And do you know what? I completely get what you mean my child, because I’m exactly the same! 🤣

The last few trips I’ve left him to pack his own bag, and honestly, I don’t know what he thinks we’re doing because he is such a heavy packer! 😂 Mine is practically flat, and I’ve even managed to squeeze my work stuff in too! Wishful thinking I know trying to get any work done but I can say the thoughts were there and I’ve tried at least 🤷🏻‍♀️😝

To be fair, if we’re travelling by car I’m not too bothered what he brings. If we were flying though, I’d definitely be taking half of it back out because I refuse to carry a suitcase / backpack full of ‘just in case’ items! Especially when he loves shopping too! 🤦🏻‍♀️

I also want him to learn that, as long as he has the important things (passports, chargers, GoPro, plug adaptor etc), there’s really no need to stress if he forgets something. Most things can be bought when you get there.

As I always say… ‘it cant have been that important if you forgot it!’ 🤷🏻‍♀️😂

Although, I did get caught out on our last trip to Palma! I purposely left my travel adaptor at home because I wanted to buy another one from easyJet (they genuinely are the best, so good I wanted a spare). And of course, they were out of stock! 🙈 I ended up borrowing chargers in cafes and restaurants whenever we stopped. Safe to say I won’t be making that mistake again! Especially when I rely on my phone to pay and not get lost! 🤣

And if you think I book my trips at the last minute, I’m even worse when it comes to packing! 😂 I usually leave packing until even later than I leave booking the trip. I mean, I packed the night before going away for two whole months! 🙈🤣

So… are you a heavy packer or a light packer? Do you pack last minute or months in advance? Tell me I’m not the only one in the comments 👇🏻🎒🧳✈️ 🚗

02/08/2026

I promise this is the last post for Whitby then we will move on to our next adventure, which, we have no idea where that will be yet.

But, we do have a busy week ahead catching up on work (yes with 2 self employed jobs and a side hustle, I do actually work, a lot too 🤣) and sleep overs at friends so anywhere we venture off to will most likely be the week after now, damn it! 😂 Don’t you just hate it when life gets in the way of having fun, such an inconvenience 🙄😝 Anyways 👇🏻

Where to Stay and Park in Whitby - speaking from our experiences 🚗

We’ve only ever stayed over in Whitby three times, but each visit has been completely different!

🏨 Our first stay was at Saltmoore, just outside Whitby towards Sandsend. It was a beautiful, luxury hotel and perfect if you’re looking for a relaxing getaway away from the crowds.

🏨 Our second stay was for Nicholas’ 10th birthday! We booked a 3 bedroom property through Hoseason and it worked out well accomodating 4 adults + 4 kids. It was still within walking distance of the town, making it a great choice for families or larger groups.

🏨 This latest visit was a very last minute booking through Booking.com, and we stayed right in the middle of Whitby (first four photos). This was definitely the most convenient location if your plan is to spend most of your time wandering around the harbour, shops and restaurants without needing to use the car. The rooms were basic but it was clean and comfortable, alright for what we needed it for, especially at such last minute notice during the summer holidays too.

🚗 Parking Tips

We usually head for the main car parks near the Co-op and Whitby railway station. They’re in a great location for exploring the town, but it can be expensive if you’re there for the full day, and they do fill up quickly on busy days.

If you’re arriving super early or later in the evening and want to try your luck with free parking, we’ve previously managed to find spaces along Gray Street and George Street (and other streets around the area too), just off North Road. Spaces are very limited, so there’s never a guarantee, but we’ve been incredibly lucky most times.

We parked at the main car park for 4 hours this time for £8.10 (Co-op is £6) as we didn’t get there till around 2pm, then moved to Gray Street (there was one parking waiting for us 😂) and left car there for 2 whole days as we didn’t need it.

Nicholas seems to have a special talent for bringing us both good parking spaces and good weather, so hopefully some of his luck rubs off on you too! 😄

02/08/2026

Another must visit for us every time we’re in Whitby is The Magpie Cafe!

I think most people instantly think of the famous fish and chips (and yes, they’re absolutely worth the hype), especially as you can choose your favourite type of fish.

If we’re having fish and chips though, we usually grab them as a takeaway downstairs (which is rare for us because of Nicholas’ fear of seagulls stealing his food - he has never gotten over that incident, and he was only 2 then!).

Otherwise, more often than not, you’ll find Nicholas and I sitting inside enjoying the seafood menu and lovely view of the sea and pier instead. Their cooked oysters and scallops are two of our absolute favourites, and it’s become a bit of a tradition for us whenever we visit 🦪

The Magpie Café has been part of Whitby for decades and is one of the town’s most iconic landmarks. Housed in a striking black and white building overlooking the harbour, it’s been serving visitors since the 1930s and has built a reputation that draws people from all over the country. Don’t be surprised if you see a queue stretching all the way down the street though, it’s all part of the experience haha!

If you’ve only ever thought of The Magpie for fish and chips, we’d definitely recommend taking a look at the seafood menu too. It’s always fresh, beautifully cooked, and always one of the highlights of our Whitby trips.

🕚 Opening times
Daily from 11:30am – 8:30pm (last orders may vary on some days and during holidays).

📅 Top tip
If you’re planning to eat in, we’d definitely recommend booking a table in advance, especially during weekends and school holidays. It can get incredibly busy, and booking means you can skip the long queues and head straight to your table.

🍤 The restaurant offers a wide range of gluten free dishes, including gluten free fish and chips and many of their seafood options - the staff are knowledgeable about allergens. Just let your server know about your dietary requirements when ordering.

📸 Photos of the food we ordered from our most recent few visits

01/08/2026

A midnight wander under the buck moon 🌕

Sometimes the best adventures happen when everyone is asleep. Just after midnight, Nicholas and I ventured out for a little wander.

The harbour was incredibly peaceful, with barely a sound apart from the waves and the buck moon was the perfect backdrop to an already stunning view!

31/07/2026

Facing Dracula in Whitby 🧛🏻🏰🦇

One place Nicholas had always wanted to visit in Whitby was the Bram Stoker’s Dracula Experience, located on Marine Parade overlooking the harbour, just a short walk from the famous swing bridge and close to where the Demeter is said to have landed in Bram Stoker’s novel.

I’ll admit, I wasn’t convinced he’d make it all the way through without changing his mind, so everytime we passed it (he would stop and hesitate whether or not to give it a go) I’d always tell him nah… But with his fearless Grandma by his side, he decided this was the time to brave it! 😂

The attraction is inspired by Whitby’s connection to Bram Stoker, who visited the town in 1890, where it became a major setting in the book. In the story, Dracula arrives in Whitby aboard the Russian ship Demeter, and the dramatic ruins of Whitby Abbey overlooking the town helped inspire the gothic atmosphere that made the novel so famous. Many of the book’s most iconic scenes take place right here in Whitby.

Inside, it’s a walk through experience (so no rides) featuring dimly lit rooms, scenes from the story, creepy sound effects, hanging hands, live scare actors and plenty of unexpected surprises.

According to Nicholas, it was even scarier than a haunted house, although I’m still not entirely convinced that’s true! I’d happily bump into a Dracula over a ghost any day!! 😂

Whilst I was waiting outside, I saw a few families come out early with some very upset children (they were older children too), so it’s definitely worth thinking about whether your little ones enjoy spooky attractions before going in. No refunds are given if you decide it’s too much once you enter, so make sure you have confident kids! 😅

💷 Current admission prices 👇🏻
Adults (14+): £7
Children (6–13): £6
Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.

To my surprise, Nicholas made it all the way through and came out with so much to tell me (and maybe just a little relieved too 🤣).

31/07/2026

A little slice of Whitby history - one of those unexpected discoveries that makes exploring so much fun 🐟🔥

We had absolutely no idea Fortune’s Kippers was tucked away down here until we wandered beyond the usual tourist spots on the other side of Whitby’s East Pier. Sometimes the best places are the ones you stumble across by accident!

Although it was closed when we passed it (you’ve got to be really early if you want to buy some), we could see the smoke drifting from the back of the building, and the smell of traditional oak smoked fish in the air was incredible! It really gave you a sense that this place is still doing things the old fashioned way.

Fortune's Kippers has been smoking kippers here since 1872, with the same family keeping the tradition alive for over 150 years! It is now the town’s last remaining traditional smokehouse.

Their herrings are hand prepared and traditionally (methods passed down through generations) smoked over oak and beech wood, giving them the distinctive flavour that has made them famous far beyond Whitby.

Even if you’re not a huge fan of kippers, it’s worth wandering past just to experience a piece of Whitby’s fishing heritage. The smokehouse sits tucked away on Henrietta Street and is one of those hidden gems that helps tell the story of the town.

We’ll definitely be back when it’s open to give it a try! 😊

As an added bonus, this little detour also led us to our secret crabbing spot 🦀 (the one we shared earlier 🤫). It just goes to show that if you wander away from the busiest streets, you never know what hidden gems you’ll find.

📍 Fortune’s Kippers, Henrietta Street, Whitby
🕘 Opening times
Monday–Saturday: 9:00am–3:00pm
Sunday: 9:00am–1:00pm
💷 Cash only

⚠️ Top tip: They will close as soon as they sell out, so it’s worth visiting earlier in the day if you’re hoping to pick up some of their famous kippers

📸 Photo of Nicholas and his grandma - if you zoom in you can see the smoke at the back.

31/07/2026

We think we’ve found Whitby’s best kept crabbing secret… 🤫

If your little ones love crabbing but don’t enjoy the hustle and bustle of the main harbour, this spot is an absolute gem.

Instead of heading to the busy front pier, make your way towards the famous 199 Steps (don’t climb them!), then continue along the cobbled road past the holiday cottages and traditional Whitby smoke house (cured kippers) until you reach the end. Head down towards the pier and you’ll spot a set of stairs on your left, that’s where we found our hidden little crabbing haven.

Why do we love it?

🦀 It’s much quieter, we were alone for ages (until another family joined us and we just ended up socialising, chatting and learning from each other) the two times we were there, making it ideal for children who can feel overwhelmed by crowds.
🦀 There’s plenty of shelter around the rocks and seaweeds where crabs love to hide.
🦀 The crabs were noticeably bigger than the ones we’d been catching at the main crabbing spot.
🦀 There’s more space to spread out, so you’re not competing for a place on the wall or worrying about tangled lines.
🦀 It feels like discovering your own little corner of Whitby, with beautiful scenery too!

Just one thing to bear in mind though, while it’s a fantastic hidden spot, there are no railings at this spot, so please keep a close eye on children and make sure they stay well away from the edge.

Nicholas had a good time enjoying every catch, and being away from the crowds meant he wasn’t squashed in a little space or worrying his line would get tangled.

But shhhh! 🤫 Let’s keep this one between us here, we don’t want everyone finding out! 🤣

30/07/2026

Another brilliant visit to Marine Discovery Whitby Centre & Whitby Lobster Hatchery! 🦞

This definitely wasn’t Nicholas’ first visit, and today he felt like calling in again. What makes it so special isn’t just the displays, it’s the people. The team always take the time to chat, answer questions and encourage young minds.

Today we met Jon, who spent ages talking to Nicholas about the fascinating life cycle of lobsters, how they hatch, his university course down at Plymouth University, his placements / work experiences around the world and what it’s like working in marine biology. Nicholas was absolutely captivated and couldn’t wait to tell Jon all about the six week marine biology course he’ll be starting soon!

To make the day even more memorable, Nicholas adopted a lobster (the name though 🙈🤦🏻‍♀️🤣), with all proceeds helping to support the incredible conservation work being carried out by the hatchery. The charity works to rear juvenile lobsters before releasing them back into the wild, helping to protect local populations and support Whitby’s fishing heritage.

Did you know Whitby is the third largest port for lobster landings in Europe? That makes the work of the hatchery even more important, balancing conservation with the town’s proud fishing tradition.

The centre itself isn’t huge (although it’s home to one of the UK’s leading lobster hatcheries), but don’t let its size fool you. There are over 30 species of native marine life to discover, and if you have children who are interested and fascinated by marine life especially lobsters, hatcheries and conservation, it’s an absolute gem!

A huge thank you to Jon and everyone at the centre for taking the time to inspire the next generation of marine biologists (another child heard our conversation and joined in too!). We know we’ll be back again soon! 🦞

📍Visitor Information

🕰️ Opening times 👇🏻
Daily, 10:00am – 5:00pm (last entry 4:30pm)

🎟️ Admission 👇🏻
Adults – £6.00
Children – £4.75
Concessions – £4.75
Family Ticket – £17.75

Every ticket helps support the amazing conservation work of the Whitby Lobster Hatchery Charity, so your visit is directly contributing to protecting local lobster populations.

29/07/2026

We’re back in Whitby again, exactly 3 weeks later! And this time Nicholas brought his grandparent along to show them what he’s usually up to when he visits so we’ll be staying for 2 nights 🥰

There’s something about this little Yorkshire seaside town that keeps drawing us back. For Nicholas, it’s one of his happy places. He’s been coming here since he was a toddler and every visit brings back familiar memories while creating new ones.

Of course, there are three things that are non-negotiable every time we visit 👇🏻
🕹️ The arcades
🦀 Crabbing
🐟 A meal at the famous Magpie Cafe

This visit also included a stop at one of Whitby’s old fashioned sweet shops. Nicholas was treated to a bag full of sweets, while Grandma couldn’t resist treating herself to some proper liquorice sticks - the traditional ones that look like little tree branches and were chewed years ago. A lovely bit of nostalgia that brought back plenty of memories!

But no matter how many times we come, Whitby always has something new waiting to be discovered. This time, we wandered over to the other side of the pier, enjoying a different perspective of the harbour and coastline. It’s a reminder that even places you know so well can still surprise you. Nicholas even found a new, quieter spot to crab and made new friends!!

For those who don’t know, Whitby is one of England’s most iconic seaside towns, steeped in history and character. It’s famous for its bustling fishing harbour, dramatic clifftop abbey that inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula, charming cobbled streets, and some of the best fish and chips / seafood meals you’ll find anywhere in the UK. Whether you’re exploring the old town, hunting for fossils along the beach (like we did 3 weeks ago), climbing the famous 199 Steps, or simply watching the boats come and go, there’s a timeless charm that makes every visit feel special.

For us, Whitby is our local escape, a place where we can slow down, chat all day, make memories, and never quite have the same day twice.

Passport To Wonder

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