John Wesley made a number of visits to this area. In June 1761 his journal records visits to Whitby, Robin Hoods Bay and Scarborough
At Whitby he found that ‘The congregation was exceedingly large, and ninety-nine in a hundred were attentive.’
At Robin Hoods Bay ‘In the midst of the sermon a large cat, frightened out of a chamber, leaped down upon a woman’s head, and ran over the heads or shoulders of many more; but none of them moved or cried out any more than if it had been a butterfly.’
At Scarborough ‘I had designed to preach abroad in the evening; but the thunder, lightning, and rain prevented. However, I stood on a balcony, and several hundreds of people stood below; and, notwithstanding the heavy rain, would not stir till I concluded.’