199 Steps — Attraction in Whitby

These famous steps in Whitby are called 199 Steps! Why you may ask? Is there actually 199? Why are they there? And why are they famous? All good questions and people have, believe or not, been asking these questions for many many years. I'll take you on a journey, step by step. 🤣 So they're there because it's bloody steep up the hill to the church and abbey. Walking Church Lane, a grade 1 listed cobbled donkey track beside the stairs, is like walking up a wall! Some historians believe that St Hilda (local saint) would use the steps as a test to confirm the faith of her followers. As St Mary’s Church sits directly atop the steps. As if people haven't got anything better to do there is some dispute about exactly how many steps there are! Some say there are 198 steps because, they believe, you shouldn't count the final step as this is not a step but the top! Other equally onerous people believe there to be 200 steps because of the step from the bottom onto Church Street! Other whinge bags believe that their count while climbing and out of breath is the only accurate measure and spam debate and literature with random numbers like 191 steps even though every 10th step, and the last, are now numbered with Roman numerals so you don't have to count them any more! Whatever you believe '199' sounds nice and invites challenge, and people have taken up that challenge since the 1300s. And that is one of the reasons for their fame. The other is that Dracula ran up the steps in Bram Stoker’s novel. After the shipwreck, Dracula runs up the famed 199 steps to the graveyard at St Mary’s Church in the shape of a black dog, forever linking the town with vampires and making the stairs just as immortal. No matter if you come to climb or count the steps, feel literature first hand or use the car park at the top of the hill. The view of the town and harbour from the stairs is not to be missed and if you can persuade your family to climb up them and sit on a step and wait while you take a photograph in the sunset...

I thought it was going to be steeper, with small steps...... But you have to remember that objects and places promoted in novels, are always percieved to be bigger, smaller and grander in your own imagination...... especially when you tack a high number to them. But i enjoyed the trek up....and the views.

The whole place around the steps are old cobboldy streets, and beautiful looking, oldy world buildings.

It took about 10 minutes or less(roughly) to walk up......and that was with stopping to take pictures, and waiting for people to move out of picture. I didn't find it physically exerting, and was not in danger of heart attack.

Its NOT a complete climb in one go as there are areas after so many steps where you can stop, take pictures, get your bag sorted out etc etc etc.......a single step really but about 6ft deep. It wasn't packed out with people, and was no problem to go around anyone who had stopped. The steps are very very wide as you can see from the pictures.

I wasn't disappointed that id visited.....it was well worth the trip. I'd now been to Draculas steps, the church, and Whitby Abbey at the top. The views were fantastic, and i wished i'd stayed til sundown. Im definitely GOING BACK again.

WARNING ⚠️: I found that coming DOWN on the LEFT Hand side, as i held the railing.... that some of the steps seemed to slope forward in places, and on the edges. They also seemed uneven from step to step... So please be advised to hold onto the railing as you...

The "199 Steps" in Whitby is a popular tourist attraction located in the seaside town of Whitby in North Yorkshire, England. The steps lead up to the ruins of the Whitby Abbey, which is said to have been the inspiration for Bram Stoker's famous novel, "Dracula".

The general feedback for the 199 Steps and the Whitby Abbey is overwhelmingly positive, with many visitors praising the stunning views from the top of the steps, the historical significance of the abbey ruins, and the charming character of the town of Whitby itself.

However, it should be noted that the steps themselves can be quite steep and challenging to climb, so visitors with mobility issues may find them difficult to navigate. Additionally, the steps can become quite crowded during peak tourist season, so visitors should be prepared for potentially large crowds.

The steps were built in the 18th century to connect the old town of Whitby with St. Mary's Church and the Whitby Abbey on the top of the East Cliff. The Whitby Abbey ruins are a significant historical site, and the steps themselves are considered an important part of the town's cultural heritage.

In addition, the 199 Steps have been featured in various works of art and literature, including the poetry of Philip Larkin and the paintings of J.M.W. Turner. They are also a popular filming location for movies and TV shows, including the TV...