Whitby Sights

Whitby Abbey

Situated dramatically on a clifftop above the fishing town of Whitby stands the ruins of Whitby Abbey.  The abbey was biult in 657 by St Hilda (of which there is a shrine).  Whitby Abbey has a long history and over the years it has been a bustling settlment, a King's burial place, a meeting place between Celtic and Roman clerics, the home of saints (the poet Caedmon) and Bram Stocker's inspiration for Dracula.  Whitby Abbey may have also been a Roman signal station at one time.  The 2,000 years of the Abbey's history make it one of the most important archaeological sights in the north of England.

The Abbey was destroyed after a Viking invasion in AD867, then one of William the Conquerors knights re-built it in the late 1070's.  During the 12th century, many pilgrims found the place to be inadequate and re-building began.  It was Henry VIII who dissolved the monasteries, and the Abbey eventually fell into decay.  In 1538 the Whitby Abbey was passed on to the Chomley family who built a mansion from the monasteries materials, part of this mansion has been used to build the 19th century Abbey House.

Access to Whitby Abbey 

Acces to this histiric monument and its grounds is via the visitors centre or grass paths which surround the ruin.  The cobbled surfaces surrounding the ruin can become waterlogged in bad wheather.  From the harbour area the Abbey is only reachable by climbing the famous 199 steps (or Caeddmon's Trod).  Alternatively roads which are well signposted from the centre of town will take you to the clifftop (parking is available). 

Whitby Abbey,
North Yorkshire,
YO22 4JT.

Tel: (01947) 603568

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