A trip to Whitby isn't complete unless you have climbed the 199 steps from the old town to St Mary's Church. This is not the most leisurely climb; occasionally, you will see people trying to challenge themselves against the clock to reach the top. More often than not, you will likely see an orderly wait for a bench en route to come free for people to sit and catch their breath. The number of steps has been debated over the years.

Do you count the last step, or is that simply the top? We like the tradition of the 199, known to others as the Church Stairs, and as many locals have fond memories of trying to count them all on the way up! However, in literary history, it is not just us mere mortals that have climbed the steps, but Dracula himself! Bram Stoker wrote that after the shipwreck that brought Dracula to the town, he ran up the famous steps to the graveyard in St Mary's Church in the shape of a black dog.

Are you looking for a more challenging climb? Try the cobbled donkey road if you have completed the 199 steps and want more exerting. Before starting the steep climb, you'll need a good stretch and sensible footwear. However, this quieter route still rewards you for the spectacular views across the East Pier, beach and sea.