Whitby is a small town on the NE coast of England that was made famous by a number of events and people. One of the earliest meetings of church leaders took place here in Anglo-Saxon times. It was the Synod of Whitby, and it aimed to set out rules for the church.

James Cook, the famous 18th century navigator, and the first European ever to see the eastern coast of Australia, learned his shipping skills on ships that left from Whitby.

Bram Stoker, the author of Dracula, lived here while writing his book and may have been influenced by the spooky alleys and ruined cliff-top abbey.

It is here because this part of the coast has very few natural harbours. Today it is a famous seaside town for tourists.