Places to Visit

Places to Visit

A day out with St Hilda
Whitby Abbey
The Abbey can be approached from the town by walking up the 199 Church stairs, or by car up Green Lane off Church Street. There is a “ Pay and Display” car park.

English Heritage cares for the Abbey and charges admission fees. The Parish Church next to the Abbey is also worth a visit; do not miss Caedmon’s Cross in the churchyard.
From Whitby, take the main Scarborough road, A171, turning right through Harwood Dale to Hackness.


Hackness St. Hilda’s Hackness monastery was situated in a lush valley which is a total contrast to the bleak headland at Whitby. There are no monastic remains but St. Peter’s Church contains interesting fragments of a Saxon cross. Guidebooks are available and the church is always open. From Hackness take the road through the beautiful Forge valley, to the main Pickering road, A170.

Ellerburn
Before reaching Ellerburn the traveller may seek refreshment in the pretty village of Thornton le Dale. Ellerburn is reached by taking the Whitby road out of Thornton and forking right at the end of the built up area.
The church, which is a mile up the valley on the left, is always open. Tradition says that there was a preaching station here in St. Hilda’s time. The 11th. century church has pieces of Saxon crosses built into the walls – these are indicated in an excellent guide book.Return to Whitby by the A169.