Why Horror Fans Should Explore Whitby After Dark
However, horror fans should know that Dracula isn’t the only draw if you want to explore Whitby. There are various other spooky attractions too, such as guided ghost tours. It’s perfect for travel bloggers who want to create paranormal content, and October is the perfect time to visit.
The Enduring Presence of Dracula
If you go to Whitby, you can’t escape the presence of Dracula. Stoker visited the town in 1890, and the incredible landscape inspired elements of his 1897 novel. That novel has lived on in popular culture for more than 100 years since, with Dracula among the most adapted characters of all time.
The book even influenced the vampire genre in entertainment, which now lives on in popular casino games like Immortal Romance, television series like What We Do in the Shadows, and recent films such as Nosferatu and Renfield. Stoker’s work is so legendary that even people who haven’t read it have heard of Dracula.
The main attraction is Whitby Abbey on the top of the cliffside, where you can look down at the harbour and imagine the shipwreck site of the vampire’s doomed vessel from the novel. The abbey itself could be plucked straight from gothic literature, and is an incredibly atmospheric place to visit. In town, there’s also the Dracula Experience, which features animated scenes and live actors.
Other Spooky Attractions
There are plenty of other supernatural options in Whitby for travellers with a penchant for horror, with the town famous for ghost stories and paranormal folklore. Indeed, you’d need a few days to explore all the locations attached to some of the town’s best-known spooky tales. These include St. Mary’s Churchyard and the Phantom Coach, the Barghest on the path near the 199 Steps, and The White Horse and Griffin Hotel, which is said to be haunted by a stern former landlady by the name of Mrs. Bowler.
It’s well worth booking onto a guided ghost tour to take in the eerie scenery at night while also hearing tales about mysterious sightings. And in the daytime, take the time to visit the museum to see the famed Hand of Glory. If you want something a bit less historical and a lot more current, why not time your visit to collide with Whitby’s Goth Weekend? With alternative markets, unique exhibitions, and DJ nights, it’s perfect for those of us who might want a little more life in their horror-filled nights.
The UK is home to plenty of tourist spots known for their paranormal activity and spooky histories. Whitby is up there with the best, thanks to its long association with one of the best-known works of fiction ever created. It’s worthy of a multi-day trip as well, and an October visit could provide the perfect opportunity to explore Whitby’s darker side.
By A Fischer
Hero image – dreamstime
