Day 15: Goathland to Whitby

This is a picturesque walk mainly along the Esk Valley Walk and St Hilda's Way. We set out from Goathland - home to the TV series "Heartbeat" and a station on the steam-operated North Yorkshire Moo's Railway line which was used as Harry Potter's Hogsmeade Station - and head for Beck Hole. This very small village is home to the legendary dragon-like Worm who would live off cattle, sheep and of course beautiful maidens until Roland the Danish Warrior killed it. Later we pass Priory Farm where once stood Grandmontine Priory c1200 (one of three founded in the UK). From here look out for the Stone Pannierway called the "Monk's Trod" and imagine the Priory monks trudging back and forth along these flagstones to Whitby Abbey. As we enter the outskirts of Whitby, Look out for views of the Abbey Ruins and St Mary's Church - of Dracula fame. We descend to the harbour quayside and walk past the Station and on to St Hilda's Catholic Church for our last Prayer Stop where we light candles in thanksgiving and for family and friends back home. After a rest in our hall, the Brunswick Centre, we set off again and process together up the 199 steps with our banner and singing our Pilgrim hymns, passing Caedmon's Cross and into St Mary's Church for our Arrival Service. The Church is next to the Abbey Ruins so please be aware of marauding Vikings who will be camping on the Abbey Plains!

Pilgrimage Newsfeed - Day 15

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Goathland village hall hbuxton

Early morning relaxing Goathland "goats" Amazon Team UK

Early morning goathland ,sheep neighbourhood watch. Amazon Team UK

Van almost loaded at the Village Hall John Chenery Original Tweet

"Ubique Bah Bah" in Goathland where the TV series Heartbeat was filmed John Chenery Original Tweet

back to the community hub for breakfast John Chenery Original Tweet

Gearing up to go on the last day! Veronique

Gills birthday Goathland hbuxton

Front markers leaving hbuxton

Hungry last day walkers hbuxton

Howard thinking,walk,bus,train,?. Amazon Team UK

Setting off hbuxton

Leaving hbuxton

Very small pub but closed hbuxton

Back of Bruce. Geoff on seat .way at rear hbuxton

Whitby steam train hbuxton

First view of Eskdale John Chenery Original Tweet

Grosmont Station John Chenery Original Tweet

St Matthew, Grosmont John Chenery

In St Matthew's. Francis spoke of the geopolitical significance of the Synod of Whitby. John Chenery Original Tweet

Illegal coffee stop - will the backmarkers wait? hbuxton

Monks Trod stones to Whitby hbuxton

Look closely and you can see a train on the Esk Valley line heading for Whitby John Chenery Original Tweet

Bernie on old Fordson hbuxton

Sleights Methodist Church John Chenery Original Tweet

Sue with her young accessory demonstrating a brand new shining pilgrim's armour Polish Pilgrims

Sue continuesto dress Piotr with the armour of God, here the helmet of salvation John Chenery Original Tweet

River Esk John Chenery Original Tweet

The Salmon Leap, Sleights John Chenery Original Tweet

Birthday cuppa at Sleights Methodist Church Veronique

Lunch stop station hbuxton

Steam train from pub garden John Chenery Original Tweet

In the garden of the Salmon Leap John Chenery Original Tweet

John Chenery Original Tweet

John Chenery Original Tweet

One of many stretches today of the Monks' Trod John Chenery Original Tweet

Nearly there John Chenery Original Tweet

Closing in on Whitby Abbey Louise

The porch of St Hilda's RC Church, Whitby John Chenery Original Tweet

St Hilda's RC Church, Whitby John Chenery Original Tweet

St Hilda and friends John Chenery Original Tweet

Pilgrims prayed and placed a lit candle for their home churches John Chenery Original Tweet

St Hilda's RC Church John Chenery Original Tweet

Gathering ... John Chenery Original Tweet

gathering ... John Chenery

Processing up the 199 steps to St Mary's, Whitby, Sue and Louise playing their guitars John Chenery Original Tweet

John Chenery Original Tweet

John Chenery Original Tweet

Arrival Service in St Mary's : Nick prays for the communities of day 13 John Chenery Original Tweet

and lights a candle John Chenery Original Tweet

View from St Mary's John Chenery Original Tweet

John Chenery Original Tweet

St Mary, Whitby John Chenery Original Tweet

Whitby Abbey: we were not allowed to enter the Abbey grounds as they were occupied by Vikings over the weekend! John Chenery Original Tweet

Celebration Meal in the Brunswick Centre, Whitby John Chenery Original Tweet

Coordinator Chris at the Celebration Meal John Chenery Original Tweet

Men at work - after delicious dinner in Whitby Veronique

John finding his bet on Palace winning the Premiership after 2-1 win at Man U Amazon Team UK