A Visit to Whitby

I finally got round to visiting Whitby this year. Famous for manly things (probably most famous for its Captain Cook conncetions), but for fans of horror films its the connection to Dracula, with Bram Stoker staying in Whitby and being inspired enough to include certain locations and people's names in the novel. 

Anyhow, I won't bother to bore the casual reader with too many personal annecdotes, ony suffice to say the place is well worth visiting and staying in for a number of days. If you do choose to visit then you may wish to check out the following (amongst the many others):

Climb the 199 steps to visit St Mary's Churchyard and Whitby Abbey. Also pick up a copy of Michel Faber's novella - The One Hundred And Ninety Nine Steps - part mystery with a hint of the supernatural and well worth a read.

Find the bench where Bram Stoker sat and was inspired to write the Whitby based scenes in Dracula, and the house on Royal Crescent where he stayed.

The Dracula Experience now may seem a bit tired compared such larger experiences as The London Dungeon, but it's still worth a visit, and they do only have a small premises but make the most of what they have. Wander past dioramas and 'ghost-train' style props (some moving) as the story is narrated. They do have one of Christopher Lee's capes and there is a short film at the end too.

Make sure you visit Whitby Museum in Pannett Park, not just to buy your Hand of Glory candles but to see an actual Hand Of Glory on display amongst the thousands of exhibits in this crammed museum. Oh, and by the door is Clarence the Crocodile who is dressed up according to the time of year. July is cricket season obviously.

And finally, go on a ghost walk... I certainly would recommend Dr Crank's ghost walk which starts at the Whalebone Arch.

Sunday 17th July 2022