Whitby Abbey

Looking for ideas for days out in the UK? Read the 'Unofficial Guide's' review of the Abbey in Whitby, Yorkshire. A fascinating place, and a fun family day out. Find out more...

Whitby Abbey is one of the most dramatic and recogniseable images of Whitby...

It is positioned on the headland of the east cliff in Whitby, 199 steps up from the quaint and pretty streets and cottages of the town itself.

The Abbey really dominates the skyline, but, strangely enough, when you are in the midle of the town itself, it is easy to forget the abbey is actually there! It is certainly above the town, rather than part of the town itself.

You certainly shouldn't miss a trip to the Abbey. My first trip to Whitby Abbey must be around 10 or 11 years ago - a very enjoyable experience, and one that I recently repeated - on a boiling hot day at the beginning of July :o)

Dogs, and those who don't fancy all those steps, can use the other entrance... Happily, you can take your car and park up on the cliff top, in a Council run Pay-and-Display Car Park (you can also use any unexpired time on this car park ticket in other council-run car parks in Whitby, Sandsend, Scarborough and Filey.)

From the 199 Whitby Steps, enter through the Visitor Centre. From the Car Park, pay at the kiosk (toilets are also located here).

To get the most from your visit, take the audio-tour, or buy the guide book for more information (only £2.99 at our visit - July 2009).

Brief History of Whitby Abbey

• In AD 655 the Abbey was founded by King Oswy of Northumbria, who gave his daughter to be a 'Bride of Christ' there.
• Hilda was the first abbess - and became Saint Hilda.
• Caedmon was one of the most famous inhabitants - 'the father of English poetry'.
• In AD 664, the Synod of Whitby met here, to decide whether the Northumbrian Church should follow Catholic or Celtic Christianity - they decided on Catholic - and thereby influenced religion and history for centuries to come...
• This early 'first Abbey' was destroyed by Viking raids. Re-building began in the 11th century...
• The building we can see today was begun around 1220 and re-building continued into the 13th and 14th centuries. It was then a Benedictine Abbey begun by the Normans.
• The demise of the Abbey was brought about through Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries, as well as wind, rain and storm damage, over the years.
• Whitby Abbey also suffered damage from shelling, from 2 German battleships in 1914, during the First World War.

Next to the Abbey, you can also find St Mary's Parish Church and the Cholmley Family Mansion...

St. Mary's Church

• This is still used as the local Parish Church.
• It is worth visiting for the unique and interesting interior.
• The interior is from the 18th Century, and is very fine wood panelling, galleries, pews and pulpit. Look out for the impressive Cholmley Family Pew, with its barley-sugar twist columns.
• Once you know that the craftsmen who fitted out the church interior were actually ship fitters, you will really notice the distinctly nautical feel to the whole interior.

Cholmley Family Mansion

• This is now the English Heritage Visitor Centre for the Abbey (dogs not permitted inside).
• This is more interactive than a straight museum or information centre. There are plenty of entertainments and interactive activities to keep adults and children thoroughly entertained - not to mention well informed.

TIP: The best angle to view and photograph the Abbey is 'behind' the building (towards the car-park) - beyond the 'Medieval' pond.

More About Count Dracula and Gothic Whitby

Visitor Information

• Whitby Abbey is managed by English Heritage.
• Open:
  • 1 April to 30 September - 10-6 daily
  • 1 Oct to 31 March - Thurs to Mon - 10-4
  • Closed 24-26 December, 1 January
• Charges payable for entry and parking.
• You can also walk from the Abbey Car Park down into the town, using a short footpath - far less taxing than the 199 steps - ask the attendant to direct you.
• Dogs on a lead. Restricted access to dogs (they are not allowed in the Visitor Centre.

Whitby Abbey on the Map

This map is interactive.

• Just use the + and - buttons in the top left corner of the map to zoom in and out.
• Use the arrows to move about the area.

I hope you enjoy your visit to Whitby Abbey...

Tell us about your visit to the Abbey, or anywhere else in Whitby...

Where's your best day out at the Yorkshire coast..?

Find out more Whitby Tourist Information

If you enjoyed this, you may also be interested in visiting Kirkham Abbey, near Malton...

...and Bridlington Priory

Get more ideas for things to do and days out in the UK

Find more information about other historical attractions and British history in Yorkshire

More About Count Dracula and Gothic Whitby

Return from this Whitby Abbey - Unofficial Guide page to the Home Page

Top of the Page



Search my site for a word or phrase:

Custom Search

Bringing you ideas and information for your British holidays, short breaks and days out in the UK...

...from Whitby to Scarborough, Filey, Bridlington, Hornsea, Withernsea, North York Moors and beyond…