Airbnb Occupancy Rates in Whitby, North Yorkshire(August 2026)
Whitby harbour, the abbey on the east cliff, and Dracula folklore draw a year-round stream of UK and international guests to this Yorkshire coast town. Holiday lets cluster around the quays, West Cliff, and the lanes climbing toward the 199 Steps.
As of August 2026, Whitby averages £31,429 in annual revenue per listing with 56% occupancy and £153 ADR across 1,204 active listings — one of the densest holiday-let markets on the North Yorkshire coast, with comparable yield in Robin Hood’s Bay, Filey, and moors villages nearby.
Whitby Airbnb Market Map (August 2026)
Whitby Market Performance
Period: August 2025 - July 2026
Is Airbnb a Good Investment in Whitby?
YES — Whitby suits hosts who want a named harbour-town brand with abbey and Gothic tourism, provided you buy walking distance to the harbour or West Cliff and confirm planning with North Yorkshire Council.
| Market | Avg revenue | Occupancy | ADR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whitby | £31,429 | 56% | £153 |
| Filey | £28,050 | 49% | £156 |
| Fylingdales | £33,596 | 62% | £148 |
| Newby & Scalby | £29,382 | 54% | £150 |
| Purbeck | £42,631 | 60% | £194 |
Trade-offs: Whitby packs 1,204 listings into a single parish — strong demand, but competition on peak weeks is real. Fylingdales (Robin Hood’s Bay corridor) and cliff parishes like Lythe earn high revenue on smaller pools; Filey trades the Whitby buzz for a quieter bay and 595 listings south along the coast.
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How Often Will Your Airbnb Be Booked in Whitby?
View Demand Patterns →Occupancy rates directly impact your revenue potential. Understanding demand patterns helps you set realistic expectations and optimize your availability strategy.
The current average occupancy rate in Whitby is 56%, meaning properties are booked for about 205 nights per year. However, occupancy varies significantly based on property quality and management. Here's what you can expect:
Airbnb Occupancy Tiers in Whitby
Premium(Top 10%) | High-performing(Top 25%) | Average(Median) | Low-performing(Bottom 25%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90% | 73% | 48% | 16% |
*High desirability & optimized availability | *Good market fit & guest satisfaction | *Standard market performance | *Higher vacancy, optimization needed |
Seasonal Occupancy Patterns in Whitby
September, July
Highest demand and occupancy rates. Perfect for premium pricing strategies and maximizing revenue. Consider longer minimum stays and higher rates.
November, March
Moderate demand with balanced pricing opportunities. Good for attracting budget-conscious travelers while maintaining reasonable occupancy rates.
January, February
Lower demand requires competitive pricing and creative marketing. Focus on local events, extended stay discounts, and targeting specific traveler segments.
How Much Can You Earn with Airbnb in Whitby?
Calculate Earnings →One of the most common questions for potential Airbnb hosts in Whitby is about earning potential. Let's break down the revenue patterns and what you can realistically expect to earn.
Monthly Revenue Trends in Whitby
Best-in-class Airbnb properties (top 10%) in Whitby achieve around £42,568 annually, while strong performers (top 25%) earn at least £28,444. Typical properties generate about £16,860 per year, and entry-level listings (bottom 25%) see earnings near £4,628, often with room for optimization. Keep in mind, these are market averages—your actual earnings can be even higher depending on your property's location, bedrooms, guest capacity, and unique amenities.
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What Can You Learn from Top-Performing Airbnbs in Whitby?
View Top Performers →Studying successful properties provides valuable insights for your own Airbnb strategy. Here are the top-performing listings in Whitby and what makes them successful.
Whitby Market Analysis
Gothic & heritage visitors
Abbey views, Dracula walking tours, and fish-and-chip weekends fill harbour-side cottages year-round. Properties on West Cliff with sea views command higher ADR; Old Town lanes trade space for character. Parking and stair access matter more than square footage in reviews.
Family beach weeks
School holidays drive seven-night stays. Guests want easy access to the beach, the pier, and day trips toward Goathland (North Yorkshire Moors Railway) or the clifftop villages above Robin Hood’s Bay in Fylingdales.
Walkers & moors weekends
Shoulder-season bookings come from Coast Path hikers and moors walkers staying in Whitby as a hub, or in higher-yield parishes such as Newholm Cum Dunsley and Lythe when hosts want lower town-centre churn.
What Are the Airbnb Regulations in Whitby?
Understanding local regulations is crucial for operating a successful Airbnb. Let's examine the compliance landscape and what you need to know about licensing requirements in Whitby.
Current Regulatory Status
No properties have proper licensing in this market, indicating minimal regulatory enforcement.
| Requirement | Where to check |
|---|---|
| Planning permission / lawful use | North Yorkshire planning · Scarborough area portal |
| National STR register (when live) | GOV.UK registration guidance |
| Self-catering / business rates test | GOV.UK self-catering rules |
| Fire, gas, electrical, EPC | Same GOV.UK holiday-home guidance |
Whitby sits in the Scarborough & Whitby area of North Yorkshire Council (unitary authority). Holiday-let change of use is decided case-by-case — use the planning portal above or apply for a Lawful Development Certificate before purchase if deeds are unclear.
Declare rental income to HMRC. If the property meets the 140-day availability and 70-day actual letting tests, the Valuation Office Agency may assess it for business rates instead of council tax.
What Should You Charge for Your Airbnb in Whitby?
Smart Pricing Tools →Pricing is one of the most critical decisions for Airbnb success. Let's analyze the current pricing landscape and help you understand what rates you can realistically charge.
The current average daily rate in Whitby is £153 per night. However, pricing varies significantly based on property quality and location. Here's what different property tiers typically charge:
Airbnb Pricing Tiers in Whitby
Premium(Top 10%) | High-performing(Top 25%) | Average(Median) | Budget(Bottom 25%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| £227per night | £159per night | £113per night | £60per night |
*Top locations, big properties, premium amenities | *Good property management, highly rated | *Standard market performance | *Basic properties, less desirable locations |
Is It Profitable to Start an Airbnb in Whitby?
Investment Analysis →Understanding the profitability potential is crucial for any Airbnb investment decision. Let's analyze the revenue performance and profit margins in the Whitby market to help you make informed financial decisions.
Revenue Performance
Profitability Factors
Which Areas in Whitby Are Most Profitable for Airbnb?
Explore All Areas →Along the Yorkshire coast and North York Moors, these nearby towns and parishes show how revenue and occupancy vary within a short drive of Whitby harbour:
Top Performing Areas (Whitby coast)
Lythe:53 listings averaging £46,164 at 56% occupancy — clifftop village above Sandsend with strong ADR.
Newholm Cum Dunsley:35 listings at £47,151 — west of Whitby with moors-and-coast access.
Fylingdales:151 listings earning £33,596 — Robin Hood’s Bay and clifftop hamlets; the main alternative to buying inside Whitby parish.
Goathland:37 listings at £45,101 — steam-railway and moors tourism north of Whitby.
Hawsker Cum Stainsacre:59 listings averaging £28,163 — gateway parish south of the harbour.
South Bay & Scarborough fringe
Newby & Scalby:554 listings at £29,382 — Scarborough hinterland with moors access.
Filey:595 listings earning £28,050 — traditional bay resort, quieter positioning than Whitby.
Cayton:92 listings at £29,970 — south of Scarborough, lower ADR, family bay weeks.
North of Whitby
- Hinderwell:209 listings at £27,990 — Staithes corridor fishing-village stays for guests who want a smaller harbour than Whitby.
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