Whitby is a seaside town in Yorkshire, northern England, split by the River Esk.
On the East Cliff, overlooking the North Sea, the ruined Gothic Whitby Abbey was Bram Stoker’s inspiration for “Dracula”. Nearby is the Church of St. Mary, reached by 199 steps. The Captain Cook Memorial Museum, in the house where Cook once lived, displays paintings and maps. West of town is West Cliff Beach, lined with beach huts. Whitby is great for a holiday, or short break, and Robin's Rest self catering appartment is ideally located for you to enjoy Whitby.
With its cobbled lanes leading to a handsome harbour, fishing trawlers sailing past lifeboat cruises, and rickety pubs jostling for position alongside lively bars, Whitby is a town of endless charm and surprising contrasts.
Whitby is a town of two halves, divided in two by the harbour and the River Esk Estuary. The older part of the town, located on the East bank, is a jumble of narrow mediaeval streets, while the newer town is found on the opposite bank.
There's lots to see and do in Whitby with fantastic beaches, a fishing port and great unique shops to enjoy - all a short distance from Robin's Rest.
Climbing Whitby’s 199 steps also gets you access to St. Mary’s Church, an 18th century church originally built in 1110. The tranquility inside the church provides a great place to relax and especially after the strenuous asscent. The Norman tower is of special interest and the graveyard was also the setting for the Victorian novelist Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
From St. Mary’s Church, you can visit Whitby Abbey, one of the town’s famous landmarks and enjoy the stunning views from Whitby Abbey. Founded in 657 by St. Hilda, this medieval building is one of Britain’s most important archaeological sites with over 2000 years of fascinating history. The ruins of this Benedictine abbey were recently named the most romantic in Britain.
Whitby 199 steps to Whitby Abbey - the famous steps from old town to East Cliff may be a steep climb, but the magnificent views at the top are well worth it. Just counting the steps as you go up is an adventure in itself. But it's worth stopping every few steps to be able to take in the panoramic view over rustic red-tiled rooftops of Whitby - you also get to catch your breath!
Whitby Whalebones and view to Whitby Abbey. On the West Cliff are the statue of Captain James Cook and the Whalebone Arch.
James Cook was the great British explorer and navigator, whose voyages led to valuable scientific and geographical discoveries, and the harbour is the Captain Cook Memorial Museum, a 17th-century house where the captain served his apprenticeship. The Whalebone Arch is a reminder of the whaling industry of early Whitby.