£70,000 replacement for Whale Bone Arch revealed as famous landmark to be removed

Whitby's Whale Bone Arch is set to be replaced with a bronze replica. Courtesy Anttoni Numminen/LDRS (Image: Numminen/LDRS)

A REPLACEMENT £70,000 Whale Bone Arch is set to be installed by the council to safeguard one of the most recognisable landmarks in a North Yorkshire town.

Whitby’s famous Whale Bone Arch, which has stood at the top of West Cliff for more than 170 years, is set to be removed this autumn as part of a plan to preserve the town’s maritime heritage for generations to come.

Although it was last replaced in 2002, the structure is deteriorating due to weather exposure.

The bronze replica will have “an indefinite lifespan and a patina that will develop over time – this option would also do away with the timber bottom fixing that exists currently, and they would appear to sit directly on the ground,” a council report said earlier this year.

North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for open to business, Cllr Mark Crane, said: “The whale bone arch is one of Whitby’s most treasured landmarks and an important part of the town’s heritage.

“After exploring all possible options and listening carefully to people’s views, it became clear that a bronze arch offered the best way forward.

“It allows us to preserve the character and significance of this much-loved feature while providing a solution that will endure for many decades.”

Whitby Whale Bone Arch. Courtesy Numminen Ldrs

In March, North Yorkshire Council estimated that replicas could cost £60,000, depending on the materials used.

The last replacement bones came from Whitby’s twin town, Barrow, Alaska, after a worldwide appeal.

The whale was said to have been killed legally by the state’s native Inuit population in 1996.

North Yorkshire Council said it had received “no response from representatives in Alaska, and even if some were to be offered, there are ethical and legal challenges”.

The new structure will replicate the appearance and scale of the existing arch while providing a durable, sustainable and long-term future for the landmark.

Bronze was chosen as the material for the replacement due to its strength, longevity and ability to withstand the challenging conditions on Whitby’s West Cliff. Over time, it will develop a natural patina, while retaining the distinctive form that has become synonymous with the town’s seafront.

Feedback from residents and visitors has shown a bronze replacement as the most fitting option to reflect the maritime heritage and importance of the internationally recognised symbol of the town, framing the famous views towards Whitby Abbey and attracting thousands of visitors every year.

Creating the new bronze arch, which is set to cost £70,000, is a complex process that will involve producing moulds from the existing bones and manufacturing a bespoke internal framework.

To allow this work to take place, the current bones will be carefully removed in September, with the new bronze arch expected to be installed early next year.

Cllr Mark Crane said: “This is a significant investment in one of Whitby’s most recognisable landmarks. The new bronze arch will stand for generations, providing a lasting symbol of the town’s unique maritime heritage and ensuring this iconic feature continues to inspire residents and visitors long into the future.”

Whitby Town Mayor, Cllr Sandra Turner, said: “The whale bone arch means a great deal to residents and visitors alike.

“While it is sad to see the current bones reach the end of their life, the new bronze arch will ensure this landmark continues to celebrate Whitby’s history and provide a focal point on West Cliff for future generations.”

Following their removal, the existing bones will be gifted to the University of York to support academic and educational research.

A section will also remain in the town, where it will be displayed at Whitby Museum alongside bones from an earlier arch that once stood on West Cliff.