Yorkshire - Part Four Whitby and Goathland.

 

I had previously visited Whitby back in May 2024 when to say my view of the town was shrouded in mist was no word of a lie!!

So returning to this town, which albeit was quite a drive from Skipton ending up around four and half hour round trip was worth it.

 

 

One of the things Whitby is famous for are the 199 steps.

The Whitby 199 Steps, also known as the Church Stairs, date back to at least 1340, but are believed to be older. Originally made of wood, they were replaced with stone in 1774 and connect the Old Town to St. Mary's Church and the ruins of Whitby Abbey. The steps have been used for various purposes, including a spiritual test of faith for worshippers and a sombre funeral route where pallbearers carried coffins, for which resting benches were installed. The steps also played a role in the Gothic atmosphere that inspired Bram Stoker's novel Dracula

The view from the top at the base of the steps is just so good with the mix of buildings and the sea view.

 But the view from the top was even more impressive!

The Cleveland Way is a route that covers 109 mile route within Yorkshire, taking in both coastland, moorland and several castles. 

 

Much has been written about St Marys church which dates back to 1110.  A fascinating church and not like one I have ever been in before.

As you walked up the 199 steps to get to the church I had noticed what I thought were "sensibly" placed seats as you went up.  In fact the seats were for the coffin bearers to be able to rest the coffins as they carried them up the hill.  In contrast there is a path that runs parallel to the steps where the more wealthy families could use a horse and cart to take the coffin up the steep incline.
 

Many of the gravestones were extremely weathered over the year's but some of the elaborate ones were still very visible to see. 

I always light a candle and say a prayer for my Dad whenever I go into any religious building just to say to him he is always in my thoughts. 

When my Son was very young I remember seeing this verse and although I am not religious, I do love the sentiment of it.

Again much like Bolton Abbey, there are sure to many many images of the Abbey, but for memory sake it is lovely to have your own images.

After lovely fish and chips it was nice to have a walk and see the view from a different angle of the church and the Abbey.

However it was not quite so good to get back to the van which had been parked under a lampost and have the many seagulls appreciation for the van!!

For people in the UK who enjoyed watching (and still can watch) the gentle drama of Heartbeat, first aired in 1992 running for 18 years with 372 episodes.  The programme was set in the sixties with the central location being Goathland but the fictional name used of Aidensfield.

I loved the show and to see it in real life was just great.