Whitby Abbey

Perched high on a cliff, it's easy to see why the haunting remains of Whitby Abbey were inspiration for Bram Stoker's gothic tale of 'Dracula.' Sink your teeth into years of history, amazing views, and a packed events programme, just a short climb away from the picturesque Yorkshire seaside town of Whitby.

Immersing yourself in 13th-century gothic splendour, roam the ruins of the abbey church and discover remnants of richly carved details and mouldings. Enjoy exhilarating views every way you turn from this natural vantage point, across the harbour and town, and into the countryside beyond. The ruins of the abbey stand proudly on top of the East Cliff headland above the busy seaside town of Whitby.

Imagine Bram Stoker striding through the magnificent abbey ruins, soaking up inspiration for his vampire masterpiece: Dracula. Stoker set some of his most dramatic scenes in Whitby and even took character names from here, making Whitby the 'Goth' capital of Britain.

The ruins share the headland with the Cholmely family mansion with its classical façade of 1672. In the mansion today, you'll find the visitor's centre, displaying finds from the Anglo-Saxon, medieval, and Cholmely periods, as well as interactive screens allowing you to question Whitby personalities from Abbess Hild to Bram Stoker.
Please note: From the harbour area, you can reach the abbey on foot via 199 steps. Alternatively, a well-signposted road leads from the town to the cliff-top with a large car park, suitable for coaches.