- Whitby Pier is in North Yorkshire, England.
- Grade II pier with historic lighthouses
- Check access, weather and local guidance before travelling.
About Whitby Pier
Whitby's piers are the Grade II listed east and west harbour piers of a historic North Yorkshire fishing port, each crowned by a sandstone lighthouse that has guided vessels into the difficult north-facing harbour for nearly two centuries. They frame the famous view of Whitby Abbey above the Esk mouth.
The story of Whitby Pier
Although on the east coast, Whitby harbour faces due north, making entry treacherous in certain conditions. A wooden pier was built on the west side in 1632 and on the east side in 1702, at first lit only by a mast with a lantern holding three candles, which soon proved inadequate. The west pier lighthouse was built in 1831 to the design of Francis Pickernell, engineer to the Harbour Trustees. A new east breakwater followed in 1855, complete with its own sandstone lighthouse displaying both red and green fixed lights — red to warn vessels of Whitby Rock to the south, green to guide them safely into harbour. In 1914 both breakwaters were extended and new lights added at their seaward ends: a fixed green on the west pier and a fixed red on the east. The west light's range was originally five miles, extended to ten when the east light was established, while the east light had a range of eight miles. The original sandstone lighthouses, Grade II listed, continue to mark harbour entry today.
Visiting with care
The west and east pier extensions are walkable and offer the classic view back toward Whitby Abbey and the 199 steps up to St Mary's Church. The piers frame the harbour mouth where Captain Cook's Endeavour was built, and are a short walk from the town's historic quayside.
Interesting facts
- A wooden pier was built on the west side in 1632 and on the east side in 1702.
- The west pier lighthouse was built in 1831 to the design of Francis Pickernell, Harbour Trustees engineer.
- The east breakwater, completed in 1855, has a sandstone lighthouse showing red and green fixed lights.
- Both breakwaters were extended in 1914, with new fixed green and red lights added at their seaward ends.
Getting there
Parking and access details — check locally for the latest information.