Introduction
Day 19 was our last full touring day in England. As we began the final leg of the drive back toward the London area, we squeezed in two fascinating and very different historic stops that perfectly bookended our time in the north.
Day 19: Whitby Abbey & Rudston Monolith
We started the morning at the Gothic ruins of Whitby Abbey. Made famous as a key inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the site felt even more atmospheric thanks to the morning fog, which gave the towering ruins the perfect sense of mystery. Standing on the clifftop high above the town, the skeletal remains of the abbey church are truly spectacular.
Further down the road we stopped at the Rudston Monolith — the tallest megalith (standing stone) in the United Kingdom and a site we’ve seen several times on the History Channel’s Ancient Aliens. The massive stone stands in the churchyard of All Saints Church, and the old church and surrounding cemetery were equally intriguing. It was a quiet, thought-provoking stop that felt like stepping back thousands of years.
With our English adventures complete, we’re now looking forward to seeing what adventures Ireland holds!
Helpful Tips for Visiting Whitby Abbey & Rudston Monolith
• Whitby Abbey is managed by English Heritage — book tickets online in advance, especially in peak season, to save time and sometimes money.
• The classic approach to the abbey is via the famous 199 Steps, but there is also a less steep route and a car park entrance if preferred.
• Wear sturdy shoes and layers — the abbey sits on an exposed clifftop and can be windy even on clear days.
• Fog or mist (common in the morning) can make the ruins look especially dramatic for photos.
• Rudston Monolith is free to visit and stands in the churchyard of All Saints Church — parking is limited roadside parking in the village.
• Allow time to walk around both the monolith and the church/cemetery; the contrast between the prehistoric stone and the medieval church is striking.
• These two stops work well as a pair on a driving day heading south from the Whitby area.
Fun Facts
Whitby Abbey
• The first monastery on this site was founded in AD 657 by Abbess Hild (St Hilda) and became one of the most important religious centres in Anglo-Saxon England.
• In 664 it hosted the Synod of Whitby, which decided that the English church would follow Roman rather than Celtic Christian practices (including the date of Easter).
• The ruins we see today are mainly from the 13th-century Gothic Benedictine abbey, which was suppressed by Henry VIII in 1539.
• Bram Stoker stayed in Whitby in 1890; the dramatic abbey ruins, the churchyard of St Mary’s, and a shipwreck he read about all helped inspire key scenes and the name “Dracula” in his 1897 novel.
Rudston Monolith
• At over 25 feet (7.6–8 m) tall, it is the tallest standing stone (monolith) in the United Kingdom.
• It dates to the Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age (roughly 4,000+ years ago) and is made of gritstone that was likely transported from several miles away.
• The name “Rudston” comes from the Old English “rood-stane” (cross-stone), suggesting the prehistoric stone was later adapted for Christian use.
• All Saints Church was built around 1100 AD deliberately next to the already ancient stone — a common practice of placing churches on pre-Christian sacred sites.
• Local legend claims the Devil threw the stone at the church but missed, leaving it standing in the churchyard.
Final Thoughts
Day 19 was a fitting close to our time exploring England. From the fog-shrouded Gothic drama of Whitby Abbey to the quiet mystery of the ancient Rudston Monolith, these final stops reminded us why this country is so rich in layered history. We’re grateful for every mile and every site, and now turn our eyes toward Ireland with excitement for the next chapter.
Next Up:
Crossing to Ireland and beginning a whole new set of adventures on the Emerald Isle!
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