Whitby Abbey voted UK's most romantic ruin

A nationwide poll has named Whitby Abbey as the most romantic ruin in the country, beating places like Corfe Castle and Kenilworth Castle, according to the February edition of BBC’s Countryfile Magazine.

A panel of judges, led by TV presenter John Craven, had shortlisted ten properties for the poll in last November’s issue, and the public were invited to vote for the one that they thought was most worthy; Whitby Abbey came out on top! John Craven was delighted when he heard the news, commenting, “It’s a well-deserved winner. The abbey ruins dominate my favourite coastal town. When I was a boy, my family rented a holiday cottage at the foot of the 199 steps that lead to it and I regularly climbed them just for fun. The view from the top is breath-taking; the setting couldn’t be more romantic.”

Staff at Whitby Abbey are celebrating, too. Visitor operations manager, Jamie Marshall, comments, “We often get requests from nervous guys who ask us to put champagne on ice for them, as many prospective grooms chose Whitby Abbey as their chosen place to pop the question, but it is wonderful to have Whitby’s romance celebrated in this way – yet another reason for people to visit!”

Whitby Abbey’s success is probably due, in part at least, to a very loyal following on Twitter; followers of WhitbyAbbey were quick to click and register their vote when the news of the site’s short listing was announced in November.

Whitby Abbey is open Thursday to Monday throughout the winter from 10.00am to 4.00pm. Admission prices are £5.80 for adults, £4.90 for concessions or £2.90 for children, with a family ticket available for just £14.50 (two adults and up to three children). For more information, please call 01947 603568 or visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/whitbyabbey

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For further media information, please contact: Jay Commins PRO – English Heritage Tel: 0113 251 5698 Mob: 07810 546567 Email: jay@fim.org.uk