How many steps are there in Whitby?

The Church Stairs have 199 steps, which is how they got their name.

What are the 199 steps in Whitby for?

They are the old route from the town to St Mary's parish church on the East Cliff, recorded as early as 1370.

How long does it take to walk up the 199 steps?

English Heritage puts the walk from town up the steps to the abbey at about 15 minutes, with resting points on the way.

Can you get to Whitby Abbey without the 199 steps?

Yes. Drive to the council's Abbey Headland car park on Abbey Lane, YO22 4JT, which has step free access to the abbey.

Are the 199 steps in Dracula?

Yes. In Bram Stoker's novel a large dog runs up the steps after the shipwreck.

Are the 199 steps free?

Yes. You only pay to enter Whitby Abbey itself.

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Whitby 199 Steps

By Jon Cosson · Updated 29 October 2026 · Checked 31 October 2026

The Whitby 199 steps, properly the Church Stairs, climb from the old town to St Mary's Church on the East Cliff, with Whitby Abbey just beyond. They are a Grade I listed structure, recorded for more than six centuries.

Before you go: the practical facts

Open in Maps: Google Maps · Apple Maps · Directions to Abbey Headland, Whitby

Start: the foot of the steps is in the old town, at the end of Church Street where Henrietta Street begins.
Finish: St Mary's churchyard on the East Cliff. Whitby Abbey (English Heritage) is a short walk on.
How many: 199, as Historic England's listing records.
How long: English Heritage puts the walk from the town centre up the steps to the abbey at about 15 minutes. There are resting points on the way.
Cost: the steps are free to climb. The abbey charges admission.
Accessibility: there is no step free version of the stairs. For step free access, drive to the abbey headland (below).
In winter: the stone can be slippery when wet or frosty. Take it slowly.

The steps and the East Cliff

What the steps are, and their history. Historic England lists the Church Stairs at Grade I, first listed on 23 February 1954. The list entry says they are first mentioned in 1370 and that the present flight of 199 stone steps is probably largely of the 18th and 19th centuries, replacing an earlier one. They exist because St Mary's was the parish church, high on the cliff above the town. Whitby and District Tourism Association says that before the churchyard closed to burials in the 19th century, coffins were carried up the steps, and the landings gave the bearers a place to rest; the benches there today serve the same purpose for the rest of us. At the top, St Mary's is itself Grade I listed; Historic England dates it to about 1110, with galleries added from 1695 to 1818 and box pews that survive intact.

The Dracula connection. Bram Stoker stayed in Whitby in 1890, and Dracula was published in 1897. English Heritage notes that in the novel a large dog bounds up the 199 steps from the wrecked ship, and that Stoker took names from headstones in St Mary's churchyard. Read our Whitby Dracula guide.

Avoiding the steps: the abbey headland by car. drive round to the Abbey Headland car park on Abbey Lane (YO22 4JT), a council car park with 431 spaces and 6 disabled bays; charges apply 9am to 6pm from 1 March to 31 October only. English Heritage says there is step free access from the car park to the abbey site, and visitors with access needs can be dropped off at the turning circle near St Mary's Church. More in /plan/parking.

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Whitby 199 Steps FAQs

How many steps are there in Whitby?: The Church Stairs have 199 steps, which is how they got their name.
What are the 199 steps in Whitby for?: They are the old route from the town to St Mary's parish church on the East Cliff, recorded as early as 1370.
How long does it take to walk up the 199 steps?: English Heritage puts the walk from town up the steps to the abbey at about 15 minutes, with resting points on the way.
Can you get to Whitby Abbey without the 199 steps?: Yes. Drive to the council's Abbey Headland car park on Abbey Lane, YO22 4JT, which has step free access to the abbey.
Are the 199 steps in Dracula?: Yes. In Bram Stoker's novel a large dog runs up the steps after the shipwreck.
Are the 199 steps free?: Yes. You only pay to enter Whitby Abbey itself.

Sources checked 31 October 2026: Historic England Church Stairs (1316348); Historic England St Mary's (1055865); English Heritage, Whitby Abbey directions, access and Dracula; North Yorkshire Council, Abbey Headland car park; Whitby and District Tourism Association.

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