Whitby,North Yorkshire

Whitby is a beautiful little seaside fishing town and port perfectly situated on the Heritage Coast of North Yorkshire in England, surrounded by the breath-taking North Yorkshire Moors.

The town of Whitby has been home to many over the years, from Vikings to Kings and famous explorers and even a Saint! In fact two kings and one saint are actually buried in Whitby!

Roman Whitby: It has long been speculated that there may have been a Roman garrison fort located at Whitby, it is along the coast in an ideal location between existing roman signal stations at Goldsbrough and Ravenscar. Although no evidence has been found to support this theory as the roman signal station was most likely lost to sea due to coastal erosion or developed as part of the first Whitby Monastery site.

Streonshal (The Old Name For Whitby): Streonshal was the first recorded name for the town (in 656), when King Oswy of Northumbria ruled the land around the town.

King Oswy founded the first abbey at Streonshal, under the guidance of the abbess Hild (later becoming Saint Hilda) who herself was a princess, and with help from a lowly cowherder named Caedmon, who through a vision in a dream became the first recorded English poet.

The Synod of Whitby was a synod at the request of King Oswy of Northumbria to determine the date of Easter in England. Held at Whitby Abbey in 664AD The Synod of Whitby was where the date for Easter for England was decided by the customs of the Roman Catholics instead of the Ionans. King Oswy died in 670 and is buried in the grounds of Whitby Abbey.

Captain James Cook RN: Captain James Cook the great explorer for the Royal Navy started his naval career at Whitby, working for local ship owners called John and Henry Walker. There is a statue of Captain Cook overlooking the sea on Whitby's West Cliff.

Whitby Jet: Whitby Jet is a minor gemstone comprised of fossilised wood, which can be polished. Popular for centuries as jewellery, Whitby Jet was brought to it's height of fashion when Queen Victoria used Whitby Jet as part of her mourning dress.

Bram Stoker and Dracula: Bram Stoker was a frequent visitor to Whitby, he based part of his world famous novel, Dracula, here.

Lastly, let us not forgot that the World's best fish and chips are only found in Whitby!