St Hildas

Perched on the cliffs above Whitby, St Hilda's Church commands one of the most dramatic positions of any building on the Yorkshire coast. The abbey ruins loom large in everyone's mind when they think of Whitby, but this working parish church deserves a proper look - especially if you're staying at Whitby Cliff Top Touring Park, which sits practically on your doorstep.

The church itself dates back to the 12th century, built on the site of the original monastery founded by St Hilda in 657 AD. What you get now is a substantial structure with some lovely medieval stonework and stained glass that catches the light beautifully on clear days. The graveyard is atmospheric in that particular way Yorkshire coastal churchyards manage - windswept, grey, and somehow rather comforting.

It's not a long visit. Most people spend thirty minutes wandering around, reading the plaques, and taking photos from the clifftop. Families with small children will find it manageable, though there's not much here to hold anyone's attention for hours. Walkers pass through regularly since the Cleveland Way runs nearby.

Access is free, and the church is generally open during daylight hours, though it's worth checking locally if you're planning a specific visit. The real draw is the location - standing up there with the North Sea spread out below you and Whitby's rooftops clustered below is genuinely worth the short walk from town. It's bleak and brilliant in equal measure.