Whitby and other Whitby, United Kingdom Things to Do Tips

Whitby lies on the mouth of the River Esk, which flows through a narrow gully to reach the sea. Whitby was the most important whaling port in the north of England, during the late 18th and early 19th century and testimony to this is the huge whale jaw bones forming an arc on the west cliff. With its colourful harbourside and pier, the narrow lanes and shops of the old town with their individual shops all looked down upon by the imposing abbey and parish church its a popular place to visit.

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The old town of Whiby with its quaint shop-filled narrow streets is on the east side and to reach from the west side cliffs you cross by this old swing bridge down by the harbourside.

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Take time to wander through the old streets of Whitby with its olde-wold charm of its curiosity and specialised shops - you 'll need time with the throng of tourists anyway! The old style lamps hanging from the shop walls add to the ambience too.

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In the midst of the narrow street leading to the steps taking you upwards to the church and Abbey is the lovely quaint market hall. Stalls are squeezed into the tiny area in front of it - always a bottle neck with tourists.

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Leading off the narow street are several smaller alleyways - known as "Yards". This one must be the most popular place to pose for a pic - thanks Steve for taking the camera off me for that pic on the intro pag :-) Have a look down them too and enjoy the vista onto the harbour.

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Grit your teeth and climb the 199 steps to the top of the cliff where the parish church of St Mary's and the ruins of Whitby Abbey can be reached. Don't worry there are resting places on the steps - these were designed as rest for coffins being carried up to the church though! It was up these steps that Dracula is said to have raced up - well he must have been fit! - and fled back down disguised as black dog. The cobbled path at the side is known as the donkey path.

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Caedmon was a 7th Century monk and was the earliest known English poet. This beautifully engraved cross will greet you at the top of those 199 steps. Spare a moment to have a look at its intricate carved detail before visiting the abbey.

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At the top of the 199 steps take a breath, turn round and enjoy the view of Whitby. The River Esk is seen clearly sepaaring the west side from the east side of Whitby.

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The ruins of St. Hilda's Abbey sit majestically high above the harbour on the East Cliff. Originally the Abbey contained the shrine of St Hild, the founder of the Abbey who died in 680. The Synod of AD664 was held here – the two branches of early English Christianity, the Celtic and Roman churches, debating the dating of Easter, resulting in the Synod deciding in favour of the Roman tradition, which holds to this day.
The Abbey is owned by the English Heritage site and their website can give you deatial of opeing times, admission prices and accessibility.

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Website: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk

The vilking plundered the original Abbey in 870 and was rebuilt in the 11th century as a Benedictine Abbey. Whitby Abbey was one of the last to be dissolved -the end finally coming in December 1539 when the site passed to the Cholmley family. Much damaged occurred in the 18th century and a final insult was being shelled by German cruisers patrolling the North Sea in 1914.
The evocative ruins (end wall of the north transept, the northern wall of the chancel, and one section of the east end have survived to almost full height) date mainly from the 13th century renovations and create interesting photos from whichever angle you choose.

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