Follow in Dracula’s footsteps in Whitby, North Yorkshire

Trip ideas

18 Sep

Whitby is a small, picturesque seaside town and fishing port on the stunning North Yorkshire coast. It just so happens to be at the centre of Dracula folklore, as the place he arrives in by boat in Bram Stoker’s renowned novel. Retrace Dracula’s footsteps and discover the truth behind the legend on our spooky Yorkshire Byway.

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The trip

**Where to:** Whitby, North Yorkshire
**Length:** Three to four days

In Stoker’s Dracula, the famous Transylvanian count arrived at Whitby aboard a ship carrying silver and crates of earth. Your arrival won’t be quite be as unusual — the train comes from London to Scarborough, via York, and Whitby is just a short bus ride up the coast.

The first thing you’ll notice will be Whitby Abbey. Looming on a hilltop above the small seaside town, the historic monastery is a skeleton ruin. For those interested in medieval or religious architecture, you’ll be fascinated by an abbey that’s been standing for nearly a millennium and a half (with various re-buildings along the way). For others keen to dive into the Dracula legend, or even just those with a penchant for spooky buildings, Whitby Abbey really is the stuff of fiction. For the full experience, be sure to climb the 199 steps that lead up to the abbey.

Next, indulge in a ghost tour around Whitby. Whitby Walks run a fantastic tour through a local history of murder, mystery, and the supernatural. It’s a great way to experience the town by night, revealing an unusual and supernatural side to the area’s history.

Fortunately, the North Yorkshire coast isn’t all about ghosts and vampires. Whitby itself has a beautiful beach which, depending on the time of year, is the perfect access point for a bracing North Sea swim. Slightly further afield is Robin Hood’s Bay, a small town and beautiful bay renowned for wildlife (particularly birds) and is a muddle of smugglers’ streets. There’s a seven mile round walk you can do starting at Whitby Abbey that takes you to Robin Hood’s Bay.