Погода: Уитби, январь

Windermere-forum threads on a January visit call the weather genuinely unpredictable, posters describing cold, possibly wet, possibly windy conditions as the baseline with darkness setting in by half four. Regulars call the tradeoff a real one though, considerably fewer crowds and better accommodation deals than summer. Posters recommend proper waterproofs, sturdy boots, a map and a compass for anyone walking, fog here capable of rolling in with little warning. Regulars call Kirkstone Pass the most weather-vulnerable major road locally, snow and ice there a genuine possibility though not dramatically more common than elsewhere. Posters call many smaller B&Bs closed for their own winter break in January, checking availability directly standing advice. Regulars recommend planning any walk around the short daylight hours, getting back before dusk a real priority. The record: 6.4C days feeling like 3C, 1C nights, an extraordinarily high 128.9mm across over 15 days and 92 percent humidity.

Forum posters describe February in Whitby as a bit chilly, overcast and foggy, though still enjoyable for a visit. Posters consistently note the town stays quieter than summer but only a little cooler, with most shops remaining open and plenty to do despite the reduced crowds. Posters describe February's daylight as steadily lengthening through the month, with dusk arriving around 5pm early on and pushing later as the month progresses. Posters generally recommend embracing the quieter, moodier coastal atmosphere as part of February's appeal rather than a drawback. Posters generally rate February as cool, gray and often foggy but genuinely pleasant for a low-key Whitby visit.

August is peak season in Whitby and the forum is emphatic: absolutely heaving, especially once the North Yorkshire school holidays start, with parking a nightmare and restaurant tables hard to come by. Most self-catering lets go by the whole week, Friday to Friday or Saturday to Saturday. On weather, the coastal caveat matters — a north-easterly off the sea can drop the temperature by as much as 8°C compared with inland, against an August average of only 18°C here and a sea at 15. One visitor reports 27°C days, so it does happen. The regulars' honest line is that Whitby is lovely and better outside peak season.