Whitby
I arrived around 9am, parking in Whitby Abbey car park; I then had a walk around the perimeter of the Abbey, taking photos as I went. The weather was fantastic, glorious sunshine with only a few clouds in the sky. It was so hot, I returned to my car to change out of my jeans and into some shorts. On my way back to the car I noticed that the Abbey was about to open to visitors. Once changed I headed towards Whitby town, going past the entrance to the Abbey, which was now open, I checked the price of admittance, £7.10 or £7.90 with gift aid per adult (prices as of 2016). As I had seen as much of the Abbey I wanted from the perimeter, I decided against going in and headed to the town.
The track leading from the abbey to Whitby town.
I took the track which goes from next to the Abbey wall; the path starts to go down the hill towards some houses, and to the right are some allotments, you get some good views of the town and harbour from here. I also noticed a steam train pulling out of Whitby train station. I continued down the track, it brings you to the back of some shops, you then go through an entry or ginnel (depending where you come from) called Caedmon’s Trod, this brings you out into the town, onto Church Street. As I had, had nothing to eat, I went to find a cafe for some breakfast (there are plenty to choose from. I found one in the market place, and as the weather was so nice I had my breakfast sat outside in the sun, the downside was the table and chair was on a slope, but I enjoyed my breakfast and cup of coffee in the morning sun.
The narrow streets of Whitby town.
After having my breakfast, I had a wander round the very narrow streets, looking in some of the shops. I have found the most argumentative place in Whitby, Arguments Yard, guarded by a cat. I eventually headed to Bridge Street, and made my way over the bridge which spans the River Esk. Once over the bridge I headed left to go towards the marina, after taking some more photos, I headed back towards the bridge, as I did an old bus (a 1958 Bedford SBG) pulled up across the road to pick up passengers, I just had to take a photo. I then headed to the train station to see if there was any more steam trains in. I was in luck; steam trains have so much character.
Arguments Yard, conjours up the thought of people queuing up to enter Arguments Yard to have arguments about who owns this sheep etc.
1958 Bedford SBG Bus
Steam train Eric Treacy 45428 preparing to leave Whitby railway station.
The steam locomotive was called Eric Treacy, and was built in 1937. After my visit to the train station I headed into the town, I got myself a coffee cooler from Costa, and then headed to the harbour. Whitby was packed, people everywhere, the beach was busy also (not surprised considering the weather). There are a few leisure boats, which take you for a 20 minute cruise out of the harbour; one of them is like a pirate’s ship with all the rigging. At the end of the harbour wall is a lighthouse, which you can go to the top of at a cost of £1 per adult. There is only one way in and out, with a very narrow spiral staircase to negotiate, which can be a bit tight if you meet someone coming in the opposite direction. That said and done, it is worth the visit to the top for the views alone.
The view of Whitby from the top of the lighthouse
Once back down from the top of the lighthouse, I headed back to the bridge, once I had crossed the bridge I headed back through the streets, going past the market place, I ended up on a small beach. But this wasn’t where I wanted to be, so I headed back into the streets, and continued along Church Street, until it turns sharp right, I continued straight ahead, going past the Duke of York pub. This takes you to a slightly larger beach, with some great views of the harbour entrance. After taking some photos, I started to head towards the harbour wall, there was a couple with a dog (a Boxer cross) near the water’s edge, the dog was having a great time running in and out of the sea, he then came running over to me, at which point I held out my open hand, to show I was no threat, and ready to stroke him if that was what he wanted, but no, he decided to jump up me, with his wet sandy paws, knocking my camera, which in turn knocked off the filter from my lens onto the beach. Eventually the couple got their dog under control, I was stood there for a few minutes cleaning my camera and the filter, and not once did either person apologise for not having control of their dog, or ask if I or my camera was OK. All I could think of, was if I had been a small child? That dog would have knocked them flying! I was fuming to say the least, but I didn’t want to cause a scene and spoil what had been a great day. My camera and filer were fine, just my shorts had got marks on them from the dogs’ paws.
View of the harbour entrance from the beach just before the dog jumped up me.
From the harbour wall I headed up the path leading from the harbour wall ending up in Henrietta Street, going past the houses, a lot of which were holiday lets. Henrietta Streets meets Church Street and the start of the 199 steps, which head back up to the Abbey via the Church of Saint Mary and the grave yard; from here you get great views along the coast towards Sandsend. I headed back to the car via the Abbey tea rooms to buy a cold drink. Once back at my car I headed to my cousins caravan site, and spent a few hours catching up, Steve and I had a short walk down to the cliff tops to join the Cleveland Way coastal footpath. Once we got back to the caravan, I said my goodbyes, and headed home. I got home around 21:20.