The flight of steps was viewed as a measure of the Christian determination of pilgrims up to Whitby Abbey (and later, the church), and have also served as a tourist attraction being mentioned in the book Dracula, by Bram Stoker.

[3] Level platforms still exist in several locations on the ascent to afford mourners the chance to 'rest' the coffin they are carrying, and to get their breath back.

[4] It is believed that the last coffin to be carried up the steps in this way, was a former rector of Whitby, the Reverend George Austen, whose funeral was in 1933.

However, an act passed in 1764 required the owners to 'pave' the route, and so they acquired 103 tonnes (114 tons) of stone from a quarry at nearby Sneaton to improve the steps.

[11][12] As the stairs were used by worshippers to get to and from the church, the sight of the congregation all ascending and struggling with the climb led to Sir George Head being reminded of Bunyan's Hill of Difficulty.