Saint Anne's Catholic Church

The stone church sits quietly on the edge of Whitby, its red-brick Victorian facade a bit of a surprise given the Georgian elegance you'd expect round these parts. Saint Anne's is a proper working Catholic parish church, and it's the kind of place where you actually feel the weight of devotion rather than just tourism.

Inside, the atmosphere is contemplative. The altar catches light beautifully through tall windows, and there's something about the smell of old wood and candle wax that makes you slow down. It's not vast or showy, which is rather the point. You'll spend twenty minutes here maximum unless you're genuinely interested in Victorian ecclesiastical design.

Families with young children might find it a bit much if they're not used to quiet spaces, but for anyone doing the Whitby heritage circuit - the Abbey, the church steps, the cobbled streets - Saint Anne's works as a gentle counterpoint. It's free to visit, no faffing about with opening hours or entry fees, though obviously be respectful of service times if you're planning a visit.

It pairs well with a base at Broadings Farm Caravan Site if you're staying locally. That's only five miles out, giving you easy access to Whitby's better-known attractions without being right in the tourist crush. The church itself won't fill a day, but it's worth a quick stop if you're exploring the town on foot.