Renowned for its dramatic abbey ruins on the cliffs, busy fishing harbour and famous literary heritage, this historic town is a jewel on the North Yorkshire coast.
Just over a half-hour drive north of Scarborough, Whitby is the Yorkshire seaside town that inspired Dracula.
In Bram Stoker’s 1897 classic, Count Dracula lands at Whitby aboard a shipwrecked Russian schooner, taking the form of a large black dog to run ashore and up the famous 199 steps to the churchyard and abbey ruins.
Stoker was inspired by local legends and his own visit to Whitby in 1890, incorporating the abbey and its dramatic setting into the novel.
There are echoes of Stoker everywhere in Whitby, from the Dracula Experience, featuring its spooky animatronic at the entrance which terrified me as a child, to the Bram Stoker Memorial Seat, a bench on the clifftop at Khyber Pass.
The historic stone staircase, aptly named 199 Steps, can become very busy with people taking on the challenging climb to see the spectacular view from the top.
But Dracula isn’t Whitby’s only claim to fame. Captain Cook learned his seamanship in Whitby and Charles Dickens loved the area, encouraging others to visit.
Whitby’s best-known Gothic spot is its abbey, which sits on the headland above the town.
Tourists walk up the 199 Steps in Whitby, which date back to around 1340 and were originally made of wood
The Dracula Experience offers a tour through the story and the novel’s connection to Whitby, where author Bram Stoker was inspired to write the book
Walking along the cobbled streets of Whitby, there are plenty of unique shops to visit
Despite being bashed up by Henry VIII and a stray German bomb in 1914, its soaring arches still survive, yards from the cliff edge and St Mary’s Church, just above the beach where the canine Dracula made his landing.
It’s little wonder why Whitby is often used as a moody backdrop for films and TV shows, including the BBC’s 2020 Dracula series, the long-running police drama Heartbeat and ITV’s Victoria.
Walking through the cobbled streets, you’ll find everything from antique stores to quirky bookshops and jewellers selling Whitby Jet, a unique gemstone. A not-so-hidden gem is Abbey Wharf Indoor Market, where you can pick up find unique gifts, sweet treats and collectables.
Another popular activity in Whitby is ‘goth spotting’.
Twice a year, the town hosts Whitby Goth Weekend, transforming the historic seaside town into a hub for alternative subcultures.
Started in 1994 as a small gathering, it has grown into a world-renowned event with live music focusing on genres like gothic rock, darkwave, synth-pop and industrial.
Whitby also has all the hallmarks of a classic British seaside town with gift shops, arcades, boat trips from the harbour and sandy beaches with dog-friendly areas.
The seafront is home to Magpie Café, a famous fish and chips restaurant known for its long queues.
Whitby Goth Weekend is a popular, twice-yearly festival for the goth and alternative communities, held in the seaside town
Whitby Abbey is beautifully illuminated at night for Halloween and the Goth Weekend
The Magpie Café is famous for its long queues, which are a testament to its popularity and quality of food
Magpie is considered a ‘Whitby institution’ and a must-visit spot for many tourists and food lovers.
For walkers and beachcombers, Sandsend is within walking distance of Whitby and is widely considered one of the best on the Yorkshire Coast.
At low tide, you can walk the three-mile stretch all the way to Whitby and it’s a great spot for finding fossils.
While the guesthouse where Bram Stoker stayed in 1890 is gone, the Royal Hotel Whitby (formerly the Royal Crescent Hotel) embraces this legacy, offering a Bram Stoker suite and becoming a pilgrimage site for fans.
If you’re in the area and are looking for a unique day out with plenty to do, Whitby is a great choice.
