Whitby Railway Station
As we are just a few minutes’ walk from Whitby Railway Station, we thought it was time to dig a bit deeper into this impressive building.
We can often hear the steam locomotives in the Summer.
Guests can walk to and from the station making public transport a good option for Whitby.
Our family run guesthouse is in the heart of Whitby on the Yorkshire Coast.
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This year (2026) marks the 190th anniversary of its origins in 1836.
The station opened in May 1836 and it was part of the Whitby to Pickering Railway, one of the earliest lines in Yorkshire.
The origins of the Whitby to Pickering Railway have inspired several books.
These include ‘The Whitby and Pickering Railway: The Horse-Drawn Era 1833 to 1847, by Andrew and Richard White.
While it’s got a long title, this well researched publication.
The line even gets a mention by author Charles Dickens.
He wrote to fellow author Wilkie Collins, about ‘that curious railroad by the Whitby Moor …’
A timetable survived, with times including Whitby 6.30am and 5.30pm, Pickering 10.30am and 5.30pm in 1836.
Less rolling stock but much easier times to remember!
Now a Grade II listed building, it has a fascinating history!
At first, the vehicles were drawn by horses until steam came along in the mid-1840s.
The Whitby to Pickering route is well known for its challenging stretch from Beck Hole to Goathland, which had a steep incline.
Today’s line which carries Northern Trains services along the Esk Valley Line to Middlesbrough.
The North Yorkshire Moors Railway, the celebrated heritage railway, also uses the station at certain times of year.
York and North Midland Railway
The Whitby and Pickering lines was taken over by York and North Midland Railway in 1845 with a connection to York in 1847.
It converted into a double tracked line suitable for steam locomotives.
The station was designed by the renowned architect George Townsend Andrews.
Nine years later the York and North Midland Railway helped form the North Eastern Railway, while the Esk Valley Line opened in 1865.
A stretch of line opened from Loftus in 1883, and the line from Scarborough in 1885.
The tile map, which you can see in the station dates from around 1900 and is one of only a handful that survives today.
Later railway developments including North Eastern Railway eventually becoming part of the London and North Eastern Railway.
These eventually became British Railways.
Beeching Report
The famous – or infamous – Beeching Report of 1963 ear marked Whitby for closure, which of course didn’t take place.
However the line to Scarborough was closed in 1965 (now the Cinder Track).
Other tracks that fell to the Beeching axe included the York line via Pickering and Malton.
The Esk Valley line remained open.
In later years, as rail traffic dwindled, the number of platforms reduced with Platforms 3 and 4 now occupied by a supermarket.
Improvements took place over the years and in 2014, the North Yorkshire Moors Railways ran up to five trains a day in the peak season.
Today’s Railway Station
There is a ticket office, touchscreen ticket machines, car park, bus station next door, an information point and refreshments.
Esk Valley Railway
This gorgeous line runs from Middlesbrough to Whitby (return) and passes through the spectacular North York Moors National Park.
We didn’t know this but the line has 17 stations enroute!
The Esk Valley is a lifeline to the rural communities on its route.
Stops include Danby, Egton, Glaisdale, Lealholm, Sleights, Grosmont and more.
North Yorkshire Moors Railway
As one of the country’s best known heritage railways, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway runs trains to and from Whitby in the Summer.
It travels alongside the River Esk and is an impressive sight to see!
About the Riviera Guesthouse
A stay at the Riviera is all about the views. Most of our bedrooms are sea-facing and we can happily boast they are some of the most sought-after views in the whole of Whitby!
Most of our guests are smitten and one stay is never enough. We regularly welcome back guests who have fallen in love with Whitby and fallen in love with our sea views.
Our 15 spacious en-suite bedrooms are renowned for their originality.
Each has been uniquely designed to suit individual tastes.
And what’s more, they are beautifully furnished with lots of modern comforts so you enjoy a restful and cosy stay.
There is a choice of Four Poster Superior King, King Size, Deluxe Double, Standard Double, Family, Twin and Single bedrooms.
All are comfortably furnished and feature flat screen LCD televisions and complimentary WiFi.
On arrival you’ll find a well stocked refreshment tray in your room which is topped up daily with a selection of teas, coffee, hot chocolate, milk and biscuits.
We supply both sugar and sweetener (in case you aren’t sweet enough).
