UK Trip Day 22

Day 22 was another standout on the adventure list, spent soaking up everything that makes Whitby such an unforgettable place.

We started the morning with breakfast at a little coffee shop just down the lane from our house, before making the climb to the top of the cliff to visit the church and Abbey. Wandering through the churchyard was one of those moments that really makes history feel real. Reading tombstones older than our entire home-country (Australia), seeing how many lives were lost at sea, and noticing just how young so many people were when they died was both fascinating and deeply moving.

From there, it was on to the iconic Whitby Abbey, forever linked to Bram Stoker and the legend of Dracula. Standing among the ruins and imagining what this place would have looked like centuries ago was incredible. We discovered the ruins we see today are actually the third version of the church. The first was founded in 657 AD before being abandoned during Viking invasions. A second version rose in 1078 as a monastery, before it was largely rebuilt again around 1225 into an even grander structure. That too eventually fell into ruin after King Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries in 1539. Following damage during World War I, parts of the site were later reconstructed, adding yet another layer to its remarkable story.

Of course, while we were up on the clifftop, it would have been rude not to stop by the brewery for a quick beverage before tackling the famous 199 steps back down into town.

The afternoon was spent exploring both sides of Whitby, divided by the River Esk as it meets the North Sea. With its steep lanes, winding cobblestone streets and endless charm around every corner, Whitby proved yet again to be one of those places that is just as fun to wander as it is to admire.

Daily Tally:

14.6k steps
9.8km
5 pubs