Castle or abbey

Whitby Abbey

Whitby, North Yorkshire

The clifftop ruin that inspired Dracula, and was shelled by German warships.

An abbey was founded on these cliffs in 657, and in 664 it hosted the Synod of Whitby, which decided how the English church would date Easter. The later Gothic abbey was closed by Henry VIII.

Read the full story, see it on the map, get directions and find what else is nearby in the free Hidden Britain Atlas map.

Open Whitby Abbey on the map Report a sighting here

When: Founded 657, shelled 1914
Where: 54.4880, -0.6080
Group: Castles & abbeys

Visiting

English Heritage, open daily. Climb the 199 steps from the town.

Nearby mysteries

The RohillaShipwreck · Saltwick Nab, near Whitby, North Yorkshire · under a mile away
The Hand of GloryMysterious grave · Whitby Museum, North Yorkshire · under a mile away
Robin Hood's BayPirate · North Yorkshire coast · 5 miles away
Wade's StoneHill figure · East Barnby, near Whitby, North Yorkshire · 5 miles away
Hob HoleBigfoot & Hominids · Runswick Bay, North Yorkshire · 6 miles away
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