Whitby is a unique town. It is surrounded by the North York Moors on three sides and the North Sea on the remaining side. The river Esk divides the town into two very different parts. The old part on the east side is the most picturesque with its many shops, the beautiful remains of the Abbey where in its days of glory, in the 7th century, the date of Easter was determined by the Synod of Whitby. The old town and the top of the east cliff are connected with the famous 199 steps, leading to St. Mary's Church. In the Victorian days the railway was introduced to Whitby, once the main method of transport to places like Pickering York, Scarborough and Middlesbrough. The only remaining line in the Whitby to Middlesbrough line (Esk Valley Line) which still has many stations, including Ruswarp and several moorland villages.