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The cliff top Abbey dominates ancient Whitby, built in the ravine at the mouth of the beautiful river Esk. Spreading below; a harmony of alleys and narrow streets climb down to the busy quayside. From these centuries old streets, 199 steps lead up to the parish Church of St Mary, one of the finest examples of Anglo Saxon churches in the country and whose churchyard inspired Bram Stoker to conceive on his visit to Whitby the setting for his world famous book – Dracula.

Whitby is often described as the 'Gateway to the Moors' and due to its proximity to the train station many visitors to the area use the George Hotel as a base for exploring the sensational landscape the National Park has to offer.

Whitby has produced its own famous sons, not least of whom is Captain James Cook, but also the outstanding father and son whaling master of the Scoresby family and pioneer photographer Frank Meadow Sutcliffe.
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