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All the United Kingdom England Whitby Fortune's Smokehouse
Gastro Obscura

Fortune's Smokehouse

This tiny traditional smokehouse is the only one left in this historic fishing port.

Whitby, England

Added By
Alan Newman
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Fortune’s Smokehouse.   Kim Fyson/cc by-sa 2.0
Fortune’s Smokehouse.   Graham Hogg/cc by-sa 2.0
A new batch of kippers, cooling off in the smokehouse.   Mike Kirby/cc by-sa 2.0
A touch of irony, no-smoking sign on the shop window.   Pauline E/cc by-sa 2.0
Fortune’s Smokehouse.   Chris Allen/cc by-sa 2.0
Looking along Henrietta Street, Fortune’s on the left.   Graham Hogg/cc by-sa 2.0
July 2023   DMStephenson / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
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About

In 1872, William Fortune founded this tiny smokehouse in Whitby, on the Yorkshire coast. The smokehouse is still in its original Henrietta Street location today, run by the fifth generation of the Fortune family. It's located near the foot of the 199 steps that lead up the cliff to the ruins of St. Mary’s Church and Whitby Abbey, and people often stumble across it on the way to the famous landmark.

As you walk along Henrietta Street, you'll start to notice the amazing combined smell of smoky oak wood shavings and the fish (and bacon) that are being smoked. If the wind is right you can smell it across the estuary of the River Esk. Today the smokehouse makes smoked salmon, smoked haddock, and smoked bacon, and of course smoked herrings to make its famous kippers.

The once-booming herring fishery in Europe's North Sea has long collapsed due to overfishing, so the herring is sourced from the North Atlantic. (Local fishing boats now concentrate on cod, haddock, and crustaceans.) But the kippers are produced without any artificial coloring and the smoke flavor comes only from the natural oak wood smoke, providing a traditional kipper that is hard to beat.

Walking into this fantastic shop is like walking into the 19th century. It is the last traditional smokehouse still standing in Whitby. 

Related Tags

Fish Food History Herring

Know Before You Go

Located on the bank of the River Esk, about 415 feet from the foot of the famous 199 Steps leading up the East Cliff. Fortune's is open Monday through Saturday from 9-3 and Sundays from 10-2. If you are lucky, the large door to the rear of the shop will be open during your visit, allowing you a glimpse into the smokehouse itself. 

Community Contributors

Added By

Dr Alan P Newman

Edited By

Meg, SEANETTA, Collector of Experiences, DMStephenson

  • Meg
  • SEANETTA
  • Collector of Experiences
  • DMStephenson

Published

August 29, 2018

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Fortune's Smokehouse
22 Henrietta St
Whitby, England
United Kingdom
54.48941, -0.610602
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Nearby Places

199 Steps Coffin Benches

Whitby, England

miles away

Ruins of Whitby Abbey

Whitby, England

miles away

Scoresby's Polar Bear

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Whitby

Whitby

England

Places 12
Stories 2

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199 Steps Coffin Benches

Whitby, England

miles away

Ruins of Whitby Abbey

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Scoresby's Polar Bear

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Whitby

Whitby

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Places 12
Stories 2

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