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Whitby Abbey and Harbour added to English Heritage in Yorkshire and the Humber by D0c.Col on 21/11/2024

Whitby is a fantastic place to visit, loads of parking (at a price @£8 for 4 hrs on my visit - see pin) and wonderful things to see and do. Obviously plenty of places to eat, but stay off the main streets for a cheaper dining experience. The Abbey is owned by English Heritage, so caution is required to fly there, but my TOALings were outside their perimeter so no issues.

Whitby Abbey and Harbour
At the heart of Whitby, lies its vibrant harbour that has developed over centuries, with human intervention building upon the natural estuary of the River Esk. Uniquely, the harbour mouth faces north, and its piers stretch east and west, creating one of the few UK spots where the sun rises and sets over the sea in summer.
The West Pier, accessible through an ornamental gate, commemorating Whitby’s seafaring tradition, has a scenic route that leads to the 80-foot-high lighthouse. You walk past capstans and mooring posts reminiscent of historic ship handling, evoking a time when ships were manually ‘warped’ or hauled into and out of the harbour by human effort. Local maritime character is enhanced by vessels like the Grand Turk, an old lifeboat, and a replica of Captain Cook’s Endeavour, which are frequently moored nearby.
Historically, Whitby’s location made it accessible mainly by sea due to the challenging North York Moors. Its natural harbour provided a safe haven along a dangerous 100-mile coastline between the rivers Tees and Humber. By the 1300s, traders from across Europe were visiting Whitby, primarily due to its famous abbey and its lucrative salt herring export. The abbey itself, founded in the 7th century, thrived until it was dissolved under Henry VIII. Its ruins later inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and they remain a landmark maintained by English Heritage.
The harbour was Whitby’s lifeline. People often said, “the only road to Whitby is the sea,” due to the challenges posed by the surrounding North York Moors until the first turnpike road was established in 1764. Unlike other towns that developed around a market square, Whitby’s heart has always been its harbour. The bottle-shaped estuary of the River Esk provided the only natural harbour along the 100-mile stretch of perilous coastline between the rivers Tees and Humber. By the early 1300s, merchants from overseas were regularly visiting Whitby to trade with its prosperous abbey. Over time, the harbour was expanded with quays, a bridge, and a pier to shield it from the North Sea. Salt herring was the main export, while imported goods included wine and supplies for the abbey. Notably, coal was shipped to the abbey from Sunderland as early as 1392, marking the beginning of a trade that would later drive Whitby’s prosperity.
Whitby Abbey itself, founded as a Christian monastery in the 7th century and later a Benedictine abbey, was a prominent center within the medieval Northumbrian kingdom, situated on the East Cliff above Whitby, it had flourished for centuries as a center of learning. However, the abbey and its assets were seized by the crown during the Dissolution of the Monasteries and was eventually destroyed by Henry VIII in 1540. Since then, the abbey’s ruins have served as a navigational landmark for sailors.
Soon after it’s destruction it was acquired by Sir Richard Cholmley and remained in his family’s possession until eventually passing to the Strickland family, who in turn transferred it to the UK government in 1920. Now managed by English Heritage, the ruins have endured, even surviving considerable damage in December 1914 when German battlecruisers shelled it during a raid that also targeted Scarborough and Hartlepool. The attack, aimed at the Coastguard Station, caused significant damage to the abbey buildings in a brief ten-minute assault.
Today, Whitby’s harbour and abbey ruins continue to draw visitors, celebrating the town’s rich maritime and cultural history.

Enjoy!

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Co-ordinates: 54.48854, -0.607896 • what3words: ///dumplings.extensive.clutches

The originator declared that this location was not inside a Flight Restriction Zone at the time of being flown on 30/10/2024. It remains the responsibility of any pilot to check for any changes before flying at the same location. Landowner permission may be required before taking off.

Where to fly your drone

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Swale Marina, Swale (By grandad1950)

Tucked away at the end of Conyer creek off the river Swale is the small tidal marina of Swale Marina near Sittingbourne in Kent. There is a good footpath down to the coast

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Co-ordinates: 51.34703, 0.81217 • what3words: ///browser.factoring.unzipped

Padstow Harbour, North Cornwall (By akey_uk)

Lovely harbour on the North Cornwall Coast, worth a visit to the National Lobster Hatchery while you are there. Lots of opportunities for TOAL outside of the main Harbour. Lots of choice for food and drink while around the harbour.

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Co-ordinates: 50.54114, -4.937013 • what3words: ///clotting.appointed.brilliant

Charlestown Harbour (By akey_uk)

Beautiful old harbour with 2 beaches. Parts of Poldark were filmed here.

Easy parking at the top of the town, some great places to grab a drink and a bite, its also worth taking in the Shipwreck museum while you are here. Can get busy, but there is usually somewhere quiet to TOAL.

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Co-ordinates: 50.33153, -4.756629 • what3words: ///rejoins.guideline.handfuls

St Peter's Church, Mid Sussex (By grandad1950)

St Peter's church in the West Sussex Village of Ardingly is a Grade 1 listed building dating from the 14th century.

An interesting village to explore with a great artisan bakery. Nearby is the South of England Show Ground and Ardingly Reservoir.

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Co-ordinates: 51.05215, -0.089996 • what3words: ///bearings.untruth.topical

Grove Park, Swale (By grandad1950)

On the edge of Sittingbourne, Grove Park has lots of space to fly providing there is no cricket match on.

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Co-ordinates: 51.3458, 0.706061 • what3words: ///adopters.exclaim.series

Peveril Point, Purbeck (By richrab)

Peveril Point is a headland on the east-facing coast of the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset, England, and is part of the town of Swanage. It forms the southern end of Swanage Bay.

The rocks that make up Peveril Point are shale and Portland and Purbeck limestone in a syncline structure. This has resisted erosion more than the adjacent clay of Swanage Bay; whilst the clay has eroded away over time, the limestone has remained as a headland.

On top of Peveril Point is a National Coast watch Institution lookout. The point is also home to Swanage Lifeboat Station.

Peveril Point contains tunnels connecting disused gun emplacements which defended the entrance to Southampton Water from the west of the Isle of Wight during World War II.

TOAL was from the Helicopter Landing "H" to the side of the Coastguard Observation Station.
This area is on the Northern edge of the Portland No Fly Zone, so check in which direction you fly.

No close parking, nearest car park is Broad Road opposite the Pier.

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Co-ordinates: 50.60737, -1.944599 • what3words: ///skins.handyman.fountain

St Giles Church, Mid Sussex (By grandad1950)

St Giles is a Grade 1 listed church in the West Sussex village of Horsted Keynes.

Nearby is the heritage Bluebell Railway that is also worth a visit.

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Co-ordinates: 51.04008, -0.027631 • what3words: ///lordship.appendix.ambitions

Lenham Cross, Maidstone (By grandad1950)

The chalk cross is carved out of the hillside just above the village of Lenham in Kent.

It is a memorial to those that died in WW1 and WW2.

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Co-ordinates: 51.24221, 0.729004 • what3words: ///bends.trades.game

St Margaret's Church, Mid Sussex (By grandad1950)

St Margarets parish church in West Hoathly in Mid Sussex dates from the 11th century. It is a grade 1 listed building.

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Co-ordinates: 51.07628, -0.055228 • what3words: ///mattress.lyrics.metro

Grey Crag, South Lakeland (By D0c.Col)

Discover one of the most scenic Lake District circular walks starting from Stonethwaite, climbing up to Great Crag, and exploring Grange Fell before looping back. This hike offers breathtaking views, peaceful woodlands, and classic Lakeland landscapes. Perfect for walkers looking for a moderately challenging but rewarding route in Borrowdale.

📍 Route: Stonethwaite → Great Crag → Grange Fell → Return to Stonethwaite
🥾 Distance: ~6–7 miles (approx.)
⏱️ Duration: 3–4 hours (depending on pace)
💡 Highlights: Stunning fell views, hidden tarns, and a quiet alternative to the busier Lakeland peaks.

If you’re planning a Lake District hike, or looking for ideas for your next Borrowdale walking route, this circular walk is a fantastic choice!

I parked in Stonethwaite (limited so would have to be early to secure a spot) and the only way to this location is by trekking, I'm afraid. No short cuts, but the views are spectacular.

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Co-ordinates: 54.45794, -2.777197 • what3words: ///openly.range.hulk


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