To begin with, as Harry says on his Ghost Walks, there is the right way, the wrong way and the Whitby way. No where else on the east coast will you come across a harbour with an East Cliff and West Cliff, so these names may be a little confusing a best. Well, the simple answer is the Abbey is on East Cliff and the larger shops etc are on the East Cliff.
There are a load of different places to decide to park in Whitby, so I begin the description on the swing bridge over the River Esk, linking the two cliffs. From here we head up the road and into the East Cliff area. If you take the first left, just ahead of my top fish and chip shop, there are a couple of shops to browse, including a fish mongers with an array of sharks jaws in the window!
Go on walking down the road until the old Marketplace and turn into here. As you cross over this small but interesting area, you will see on the opposite side of the road Justin Chocolatier. This marvelous little shop on Church Street is an excellent place to make a stop in, although crowded in peak season. There are more often than not some seasonal treats in store, we habitually pop in for Treacle Toffee at the end of October ready for bonfire night. At this time, it is also regularly busy with the Goths purchasing Halloween treats for instance Dracula’s Coffins. There is a breathtaking mixture of not just chocolate, but also toffees and fudges. Well worth a visit, but observe the wallet and waistline.
Turn right out of Justins and begin following the road towards the sea. Pass by the second and much smaller Justins shop and arrive at the base of the Abbey steps. This is where most people might stop and head up the steps, but hold off that treat and keep on along the road which now becomes Henrietta Street. About half way along on the right is one of Whitby’s hidden gems - Fortunes. It has featured in well-liked TV cookery programs and is the only remaining traditional smoke house still running in Whitby. Call in for some smoked kippers, or if you do not like them, sample some pate or traditionally smoked bacon.
Go back over your steps from here back to the Abbey steps. There are 199 steps up to the Abbey and you will commonly see children and adults alike walking up and down counting the steps. Pop up the steps if you are feeling brave, for a first-class view from the Church back over Whitby, or a walk round the Abbey.
Last but not least, retrace your steps as far as Justins and when you get there glance over the road and you will see what is our favourite cafe, Monks Haven Cafe. Great service and well worth a quick stop at the end of a walk round Whitby’s East Cliff.
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