What a weekend, we headed up Friday morning and got to set off at 5am.

Surprisingly the roads were busy already. Blew my mind!! I used a neck torch and read my book the whole way, perfect uninterrupted reading time.

Fuelled up, we headed around the town and around the famous 199 steps.

History of the Whitby Abbey steps
The first record of the Whitby Abbey steps comes from 1340, but they’re believed to be even older. The steps were originally made from wood. It was not until 1774 that the original wooden steps were replaced with stone from Sneaton.

It is thought the 199 steps were used as a test of Christian faith to those who wished to worship in St Mary’s Church. Climbing the steps would prove that you were faithful. Anyone who has climbed them recently knows how testing they can be!

Thank goodness for the “benches”
As you’re climbing, we’re sure you’re grateful for the “benches” placed at intervals as you ascend. While that’s certainly what they’re used for today, these resting points were created with a different purpose in mind.

Before the churchyard was closed to burials in the 19th century, coffins were regularly carried up the steps by grieving family and friends. Wooden planks were put in place to give the pall-bearers a respectful place to rest the coffin while they caught their breath.

While a horse and carriage could carry the body to the graveyard via Green Lane, many people preferred to be carried up the steps to their final resting place. We can easily imagine what an impressive site that would have made.

We were blessed with sunshine and it was pretty warm too.

Up the Church Yard and near the Abbey was windy and that was proper cold. So it was a relief to be able to check in our room, warm up and get ready for Ozzbest and finally go out to pubs etc. As we have never done it before (as Rich would always be driving)

Changed our clothes, freshened up and have some drinks. Room was amazing and grand.

Just look at this BED!! And it was so comfy as well.

It was packed and we couldn’t get in at first even though its mostly outside. Apparently it was the bar restricting people due to queues, however we were having fun moaning in the queue and making friends.

Had a total fangirlie moment, I turned around and saw some of my favourites from Youtube #TPDTV HERE THEY ARE Rich was brave and asked for a photo, hugely grateful.

Got an IPA and listened and sung along to Black Sabbath songs, loving the immense guitar riffs. Absolutely incredible.

The Abbey all illuminated.

We left the brewery once Ozzbest had finished, still buzzing we visited Abbey Wharf, had a good ole singalong and boogie. Then set off for our room absolutely shattered, but along the way popped our heads into another free music event in the Royal Hotel, playing Nu Wave it was so close to some of the techno we listen too. Stayed for a bit, then off to climb into that incredible bed. Climb literally as it was do high we needed a step!!

Swollen and painful feet.

Swollen and painful knees, hips and lower back. Loved getting back to my electric heat mat to ease some pains.

And relax in this heavenly bed.