'I'm a travel writer — there's 1 UK seaside town everyone should visit at least once'

An American travel who has returned to the UK again and again says there is one seaside town that stands out above all others.

She says its scenery and history make it an “incredible” place and she could immediately understand why it inspired a world-famous novel. She said parts of the town make you feel exactly like “you’re walking through a film”.

Michelle Jensen founded Travel Her Story 12 years ago with the aim of inspiring and providing advice to others, as well as an income for herself.

“I've traveled around the UK on several occasions and my favorite town is Whitby for its scenery and history,” Michelle, who lives in California, said.

She added: “Arriving from Edinburgh, I was at first overwhelmed, dragging my suitcase up the hills of Whitby, but once I saw the incredible view of the abbey across the bay, I understood why Bram Stoker had been inspired to write Dracula here.

“After dropping off my luggage, I wandered the streets of this seaside town and took in the Whalebone Arch, Captain Cook's Statue, had fish and chips at Magpie Cafe and then sat and watched the sunset at a bench dedicated to the famous author.

“The following day, as fog rolled in, I climbed up the 199 stone steps, which offer sweeping views of the harbour and town of Whitby. Along the path are benches said to have been created for those carrying coffins up the hill to rest.”

Whitby is famous for several reasons that go way beyond its large beach and beautiful scenery. It inspired Bram Stoker to write Dracula — Whitby Abbey that is said to have particularly inspired the author still looms large over the town. It’s also where Captain Cook learned to sail before embarking on adventures to the far reaches of the world. A former home in the town now bears his name as a museum, which delves into his life and legacy. And it's a special place if you're interested in fossils, as many wash up on the shores.

Those looking to bring something unique home can purchase Whitby Jet, a semi-precious organic gemstone formed over millions of years from fossilised remains of trees.

Michelle, who was raised in New York, says she took an audioguide tour of the abbey and its museum which she “thoroughly enjoyed”.

“A short walk away, I entered St Mary’s Churchyard. I found it hilarious that they were compelled to post a sign on the door that states ‘Please do not ask where Dracula's grave is as there isn't one. Thank you’.

“While the fantastical creature isn't to be found there, this lovely church surrounded by gravestones truly makes you feel as if you're walking through a scene in a vampiric film.

“After walking back down the steps, I headed over to the Captain Cook Memorial Museum. Housed in the Walker's House, belonging to Captain John Walker, to whom James Cook was apprenticed in 1746, it is now an incredible museum that focuses on Captain Cook and other contributors to discovery in his era.

“What I found most intriguing was how Captain Cook was far ahead of his time in essentially eliminating scurvy for his crew by insisting on a healthy diet. Although he didn't understand the scientific reasons behind a balanced diet's role in maintaining his crew's health, he managed to keep most of them alive who would have otherwise succumbed to the illness on other vessels.”

She also paid a quick visit to the Whitby Lifeboat Museum, a small museum that was once an RNLI lifeboat station and now celebrates Whitby’s award-winning lifeboat history, and the Whitby Museum, which covers the life of this historic coastal town from the Jurassic era to the present day.

“On my last afternoon, I spent it combing the beach of Whitby for fossils. While Saltwick Bay Beach is said to be a better place to search, I didn't have time to get down there myself, so instead went just below the Captain Cook statue,” Michelle said.

“I met others on the beach who've visited several times and said they've found fossils there in the past, but had not much luck on this trip. Apparently, it's dependent on the weather if any prehistoric fossils wash up. Although I didn't find any, walking on the beach was still a very enjoyable way to take in the scenery.”

You can visite Michelle's Travel Her Story blog here.