Whitby Abbey’s been around since way before hashtags and Wi-Fi. Perched above the North Yorkshire coast, it’s famous for its haunting beauty and its link to Dracula. But now? Things are getting… techy.
The management have announced plans to kit out the 7th-century ruin with Wi-Fi and turn it into a co-working hub. Yep—bean bags in the crypt, lattes in chalices, and influencers turning up for gothic selfies. Locals are calling it “Silicon Abbey”. But is this historic hotspot really being taken over by digital nomads?
Let’s unpack what’s actually going on.
A dramatic setting for your next Zoom call
So, here’s the plan. The ancient site of Whitby Abbey, best known for inspiring Bram Stoker’s Dracula, is getting a modern makeover. English Heritage wants to attract a new crowd—people who work remotely and are bored of staring at the same beige office wall.
They’re talking:
- Free Wi-Fi across the grounds
- Power points hidden in old stone benches
- Bean bags (in the crypt, no less)
- Local coffee served in medieval-style cups
It’s not clear whether the oat milk lattes are a joke or not, but we’re low-key hoping it’s true.
Why Whitby Abbey though?
Turns out, lots of places like this are struggling to stay relevant. Maintaining a huge ruined abbey isn’t cheap, and with fewer school trips and less footfall outside the summer, it makes sense to rethink how the space is used.
By inviting people to work there, English Heritage is hoping to:
- Keep the space alive (literally and financially)
- Attract a younger, more digital-savvy crowd
- Boost the local economy—because those co-working folk have to eat, right?
The idea is to blend history with modern life. So instead of just coming for a tour, you might hang out with your laptop, sip some coffee, and take in the atmosphere while replying to Slack messages.
Not everyone’s loving it
Unsurprisingly, not all the locals are thrilled. One visitor said:
“I came for Dracula, ended up sat next to someone on a Zoom call about crypto. It’s gone mad.”
You can’t really blame them. The idea of someone doing a sales pitch surrounded by 13th-century stone arches is… a bit surreal.
For some, Whitby Abbey should stay what it’s always been—a haunting, historic monument. For others, this is just what heritage sites need: a bit of weird, modern magic to keep them going.
Will other places follow?
Honestly, probably. If Whitby works, it’s not hard to imagine other castles, ruins, and heritage sites jumping on the bandwagon. Imagine sending emails from the Tower of London. Or brainstorming in a Roman bath.
It’s a bit odd, sure—but it also makes sense. Loads of us are working remotely now. And let’s be honest, sitting under a centuries-old archway beats a Pret window seat.
Quick facts: What’s coming to “Silicon Abbey”?
Here’s what we know so far (or at least what’s being rumoured):
- 📅 Launch planned for summer 2025
- 📶 Free Wi-Fi across the ruins
- 🧘♀️ Quiet zones for focus work
- 📸 Selfie spots and ring lights for content creators
- ☕ Coffee stands serving oat milk lattes in goblets
- 💺 Bean bags, benches, and “historic” desks
It’s unclear if this is a long-term plan or a summer pop-up, but the buzz is already building.
So… should you go?
If you love history and hate working from your kitchen table, it might be your dream setup. It’s weird, it’s wonderful, and it might just work.
And hey, worst case? You get a decent coffee, a great view, and a story that starts with, “So I had a meeting in a medieval abbey…”
