Daffodil the Lobster
Holding around 20,000 eggs, Daffodil is one of the latest additions at the Whitby Lobster Hatchery.
In the wild, only around 1 in 25,000 lobsters make it to landing size. Most never make it beyond the larval stage. With the help of the hatchery team, Daffodil’s eggs stand a far better chance — carefully nurtured until they reach the juvenile stage, when they’re ready to fend for themselves.
Once ready, they’re released back into the North Sea by fishermen, divers, and volunteers along the rocky coastline.
Careful, considered work — helping to support local lobster stocks and the future of the fishing fleet.
It costs around £1 to raise and release a single lobster. From every lobster bottle opener we sell, we donate £3 to the hatchery.
Blackburns Yard
Birthplace of author Mary Linskill — and my father.
One of the many narrow yards running off Church Street, Blackburn’s Yard is easy to miss, but worth finding. Mary Linskill was born here in 1840, her writing shaped by the town around her. My father was born here in 1956. He’s always enjoyed reading — though he’s yet to write a book.
Within living memory, some of these cottages had gas lighting and no running water. Residents would visit the wash house to collect what they needed.
Today, the yard is home to Wash House Pottery, where handmade tiles, plaques and house numbers are laid out for customers to browse. An unusual setting for a business, but one that feels entirely right.
These small, flagstoned spaces, with cottages tumbling down towards the harbour, capture something of Whitby’s old town — quiet, close, and full of stories.
Hot Cross Bun vs Cream Egg
Only one of these fits our Beautiful. Useful. Made Properly criteria.
Made properly in Whitby by Botham’s, the hot cross bun ticks all the boxes. Lightly spiced, enriched, and baked the traditional way, it’s an Easter staple we’re always happy to return to.
Best served toasted, with a generous amount of butter and a pot of tea.
There was a time when spiced buns like these could only be sold on Good Friday, Christmas, or at burials — a law introduced during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Thankfully, they’re a little easier to come by now.
Hot Cross Buns — how do you eat yours?
Hats for warmer days.
Buy one. Release three.
Pressed steel toolbox from Japan. Well designed and made to last.
