Out & About in Whitby

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Whitby is perhaps most famous for its links to early British Christianity through Saint Hilda and her Abbey (founded AD 657), and the first English-speaking poet – Caedmon. The Synod of Whitby was held at St Hilda’s Abbey to determine the Christian method of calculating the timing of Easter.

The Abbey, Caedmon's Cross, 199-steps and St Mary's Church are all still here and worth a visit.

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Harbour, Cliffs, and Church Define Whitby.

Whitby also played a most significant role in the life and times of Captain James Cook and the exploration and settlement of Australia. The Bark HM Endeavour and her sister ships Resolution and Adventure were all constructed right here in Whitby; and used in Cook’s voyages of discovery. And young James was apprenticed to, and lived with the Quaker family of seafarers’ – the Walkers – who built and owned Spyglass 1708 during the Georgian period.

You can visit the Captain Cook Museum on Grape Lane, or visit the famous Whitby Museum in Pannet Park.  Both museums are just 5-minute's walk from Spyglass 1708.

In later Georgian times, the town also became famous as Europe’s largest Whaling port; with its whaling fleet sailing the Arctic waters around Greenland.

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You'll Find Spyglass 1708 in the Heart of Whitby's Historic Precinct.

The famous "Whale Bones", Khyber Pass, and Captain Cook Statue are just a short walk from our front door and all worth a visit.

In Victorian days, Whitby was visited by the author Bram Stoker who wrote his Gothic novel ‘Dracula’ right here in the town; using many of Whitby’s landmarks in the novel.

You can visit Cholmley House or the Dracula Experience on the harbourside; and Whitby "Goth" weekends each April and November bring thousands of visitors into the town to soak-up our mysterious atmosphere.

Nowadays, Whitby is loved by generations of visitors as a fishing harbor and seaside town; and as a dining destination for World famous eateries like the Magpie Café and Green’s Restaurant.

We're also famous for a range of events and festivals throughout the year; including Whitby Regatta (the oldest in Britain), Folk Music Week, planting of the Peny Hedge, the MusicPort Festival, the Dracula Film Festival, and many others.

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Whitby Abbey as Seen from Spyglass 1708.

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