PENS AND NEEDLES

WHITBY, YORKSHIRE

CROSSING THE RIVER SEVERN

WHITBY, YORKSHIRE

WHITBY HARBOUR

The final part of our journey north took us across the moors to Whitby, a scenic harbour town on the east coast of Yorkshire; the harbour piers face north so it has an east and west cliff, both of which are worth clambering up. You don’t have to climb the cliff face, you can arrive at the west cliff hotels or the east cliff abbey ruins by coach, bus or car, but it is more interesting to tread the many paths and steps that wind upwards. Count Dracula took such a route up the east cliff after his ship was blown off course in the north sea. Disguised as a black dog he ran up the 199 steps to the church of St. Mary and the abbey ruins, thus creating a tourist attraction for the fitter holiday maker.

http://www.whitby.co.uk/

Exploring on foot is the best way to enjoy Whitby, the swing bridge is a quick way to get from one side of town to the other and if you like fish there is no shortage of fish restaurants to choose for your dinner.

Other highlights of our stay were climbing up the 81 steps of the harbour lighthouse and the long walk to Sandsend along the coast before the tide came in. Showers were followed by sunshine as we reached the lovely village with cottages either side of the little river.

READ MORE ABOUT WHITBY HERE

https://tidalscribe.wordpress.com/2019/10/02/the-199-steps/

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RIVER SEVERN, SHROPSHIRE

IRONBRIDGE AND BRIDGNORTH

A VISIT TO SHROPSHIRE

A visit to rural Shropshire gave us a chance to visit two nearby towns on the River Severn. Ironbridge Gorge is famous for the world's oldest iron bridge designed by Thomas Telford. The nearby 'new town' of Telford is named after him. The lush green gorge would have looked very different in the days of fiery furnaces fueling the industrial revolution. Now you can walk along the river and stop at the various industrial museums.

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/iron-bridge/history

Bridgnorth has a lower and upper town and after walking across the river we took a ride up in the steepest cliff lift in England. At the top of the hill we found a beautiful church designed by Telford. We also went to look at the Severn Valley Steam Railway, but my battery had run out and I didn't take any photos.

http://www.visitbridgnorth.co.uk/

On our last evening we had dinner at The Hundred House, Norton, which we discovered had a secret garden.

https://www.shropshiretourism.co.uk/inns/the-hundred-house-hotel.html

There is lots to do around the whole area.