Whitby, Seaside town in North Yorkshire, England
Whitby is a seaside town situated where the River Esk meets the North Sea, with two sections connected by a swing bridge. The ruins of Whitby Abbey stand on the East Cliff, overlooking both the town and the water below.
The monastery was founded in 657 under the name Streoneshalh and became an important center for learning and religious life in early medieval times. Viking raids destroyed the original site in the 9th century, but the settlement eventually rebuilt and developed into the coastal town that exists today.
The Folk Week festival each year brings together musicians and listeners interested in traditional music, while the Goth Weekend celebration draws alternative culture enthusiasts who have made the event a steady fixture. Both gatherings show how the town remains a gathering place for people sharing similar interests beyond the typical coastal crowd.
The swing bridge in the town center is the main crossing point linking both sides and offers good views across the town. Trains run regularly to connect the town with Middlesbrough and other destinations in the region.
Jet stone, a fossilized wood pulled from the local cliffs, became fashionable for jewelry during the Victorian era after Queen Victoria wore it while mourning. The black stone proved easy to carve and local craftspeople turned it into a specialty, creating pendants and decorative items that sold widely.
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