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Ruined abbey
Whitby Abbey
Ruins of a Benedictine abbey on the East Cliff, on the site of a 7th-century monastery; cared for by English Heritage.
A mini guide to
Whitby & Robin Hood's Bay
Harbour town at the mouth of the Esk, with the abbey, Captain Cook and Dracula
Photos
1 / 5Welcome to the area
Harbour town at the mouth of the Esk, with the abbey, Captain Cook and Dracula
Whitby is a seaside town and port at the mouth of the River Esk, where the North York Moors meet the coast. The ruined abbey on the East Cliff is its oldest landmark; the parish church of St Mary stands beside it at the top of the 199 Church Steps, and the swing bridge links the two halves of the town across the harbour.
James Cook learned his seamanship here, and HMS Endeavour was built in Whitby; part of Bram Stoker's Dracula is set in the town. Six miles down the coast, Robin Hood's Bay is a village of steep lanes inside the national park, reached on foot along the Cleveland Way cliff path.
Highlights
Start here
If you only have a few hours, these are good places to begin.
Church
St Mary's Church
Grade I listed parish church founded around 1110 on the East Cliff, beside the abbey, at the top of the 199 Church Steps.
Museum
Captain Cook Memorial Museum
Walker's House on Grape Lane, where James Cook lodged as an apprentice to the shipowner John Walker from 1746.
Directions Website Report a problem with Captain Cook Memorial Museum
Museum
Whitby Museum
Independent museum in Pannett Park run by the Whitby Literary and Philosophical Society, founded in 1823; the building opened in 1931.
Gallery
Pannett Art Gallery
Art gallery in Pannett Park, next to Whitby Museum.
Directions Website Report a problem with Pannett Art Gallery
Landmark
Whitby West Pier Lighthouse
The older and taller of Whitby's two harbour lighthouses, built in 1831 and 25.5 metres high.
Directions Report a problem with Whitby West Pier Lighthouse
Find your way
On the map
The map shows Whitby & Robin Hood's Bay and the streets around it. The Getting there page lists nearby stops and stations.
Insider tips
Before you go
1
Climb the Church Steps
The 199 Church Steps lead from the old town on the east side of the harbour up to St Mary's Church and the abbey.
2
Check the steam railway first
Bridge 42 at Grosmont needs repair, so check the North Yorkshire Moors Railway's travel updates before planning a steam trip to or from Whitby.
3
Walk to Robin Hood's Bay
The Cleveland Way follows the cliffs from Whitby to Robin Hood's Bay, six miles to the south.
4
Abbey tickets
Whitby Abbey is run by English Heritage; check its page for opening days and booking, which change by season.
Tips from the Britlens editors
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Open the mini guide →Photo credits
- Whitby & Robin Hood's Bay (area photo): ianpudsey, CC BY 3.0, source
- Whitby Abbey: aude, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- St Mary's Church: Mark Healey, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Captain Cook Memorial Museum: Benjamin Smith, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Whitby Museum: Geni, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Whitby East Pier Lighthouse: Benjamin Smith, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Captain Cook Statue: Benjamin Shaw, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- St Hilda's Church: aude, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Cholmley House: habiloid, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Robin Hood's Bay: James F. Carter, CC BY-SA 2.5, source
- Scarborough: derek dye, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Harrogate & Knaresborough: David Rogers, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- North York Moors: JThomas, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Yorkshire Dales: F. C. Franklin, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Keep exploring Yorkshire