I made a special trip to England for this seaside town
From York to Edinburgh, you must not miss Whitby. I've had this seaside town on my list for a long time. With its medieval streets and colorful boats, it's a picture-perfect scene. However, Whitby is much more than that. It's the place where Captain Cook set sail, and it flourished during the Age of Exploration. It's also the birthplace of vampire culture. 130 years ago, the Irish novelist Bram Stoker wrote the famous vampire novel *Dracula* in Whitby.
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Whitby is not a big town, but half a day is still a rush. From the ancient abbey ruins to the bustling harbor and beach, it was undoubtedly the most memorable part of my trip to England. The weather was also very fitting. At Whitby Abbey, there was a cloudy, vampire-like atmosphere, but when we got to the town beach, the sun suddenly came out, and it felt like a perfect vacation day.
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Here is the route of our city walk, which you can refer to: Whitby Abbey → St. Mary's Church and Graveyard → 199 Steps → Papa's Fish and Chips → Whalebone Arch → Whitby Beach
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⭐Highlights
✅Whitby Abbey: This war-torn abbey was built between the 11th and 14th centuries and is located on a high point in the heart of the town. Although only ruins remain today, the huge pillars, towering arches, and open windows, against the backdrop of rainy weather, have a desolate beauty. This is the inspiration for the vampire novel *Dracula* and is considered the ancestral home of the Dracula family.
✅St. Mary's Church and Graveyard: Located near the abbey, this is also a prototype of the scenes in *Dracula*. Walking through it, you feel like you are in a Gothic story. The graveyard facing the sea is quiet and desolate, with a rich atmosphere.
✅199 Steps: To get from the abbey to Whitby town, you need to descend 199 steps. This is also Whitby's east cliff, which offers excellent views overlooking the entire town and harbor. The red-roofed houses, blue sea, and ancient abbey ruins create a stunning picture. At the bottom of the steps is Church Street, where you can find antique shops, candy stores, and Gothic souvenir shops.
✅Whalebone Arch: In the 18th century, Whitby was a famous whaling port in England, and the town became famous overseas for its whaling industry. Norwegian fishermen gave Whitby a pair of whale jawbones, which were made into a whalebone arch. Not far from the arch is Captain Cook's passage, which is also the starting point of Captain Cook's voyages.
✅Whitby Beach: Opposite the east cliff is the sandy beach at the west end of the town. The sand is fine, and you can take pictures of the colorful cabins and the lighthouse by the sea while strolling along the caramel-colored sand. It's suitable for sunbathing and playing in the water in summer.
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🍴Food
✅Fish and chips is a national dish of England, and Papa's Fish and Chips has been rated by the BBC as the best fish and chips in the UK. Takeout is recommended to avoid queues. Be especially careful of seagulls trying to steal your food.
✅In addition to the classic fish and chips, Whitby's crab sandwiches and smoked fish are also worth trying.
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💡Tips
🎫Tickets: Whitby Abbey £12
🚌Transportation: Driving or chartering a car is recommended. Public transportation is slightly complicated. You need to take a bus from York (Route 840, approx. 2.5 hrs) or a train (transfer required, approx. 1.5 hrs). The last bus departs around 6pm, so it is recommended to check the timetable in advance.