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whitby abbey was one of them EnglandThis is the most important Christian site so I was surprised to see a couple of witches and a man wearing devil horns exploring the ruins with me.
But then again, Whitby takes its dark side seriously. A poster I saw behind a bar claimed the town was “Satan’s mini-rest area.”
This eerie feeling was apparently on Bram Stoker’s mind when he came here on holiday in 1890.
“Directly above the town are the ruins of Whitby Abbey, which was sacked by the Danes,” says Mina Harker, one of the film’s protagonists Draculawrote in her diary. “This is a most noble ruin, huge in size, full of beauty and romance; there is a legend that a lady in white was seen in one of the windows…”
Atmospheric ruin still looms over the town, and if it weren’t for the presence of real-life supernatural beings on site, my brain might have created some.
But the abbey is not the only part of Whitby that appears in Stoker’s classic novel. He is said to have found the name “Dracula” in the town’s library and heard rumors of a Russian ship that had crashed in the harbor a few years earlier.
The ship provided the inspiration for the Demeter, the black dog on which Dracula came to England, jumping ashore and running up the 199 steps to stop in St Mary’s churchyard. It was there that he found his first victim on British soil.
Due to its association with Dracula, Whitby has become Britain’s premier Gothic site, almost a pilgrimage site. Since 1995, held twice a year Whitby Goth Weekendhas grown into one of the largest goth gatherings in the world. During the festival, thousands of people gather to listen to music or hang out at the stalls.
A young goth wearing an ornate homemade mushroom hat told me it was all about “longing and mourning.”
“Mary Shelley kept her husband’s calcified heart for 30 years after his death. That It’s goth. “
Walking down the street, you’ll encounter a lot of witches, pirates, demons, and other strange characters. There’s also a very strong steampunk scene, with a retro-futuristic aesthetic of heavy boots, beautifully embellished coats and big goggles.
The festival also attracts a crowd of “goth watchers” who come just to see the stunning costumes. Some of the costumes are beautiful and some are downright weird. I saw a man wearing a zombie mask so realistic that the oozing wounds on his face almost made you check to see if they were real. almost.
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On weekends, the steps leading up to the monastery are transformed into a kind of giant vertical walkway. Viewed from the other side of the valley, it looks like a huge black line winding along the edge of the cliff.
“I just love the personality of it all,” one repeat customer told us. “People can come here and be themselves.”
However, visitors don’t need to be during the festival to experience the town’s unusual side. exist Whitby Museum The “Hand of Glory,” discovered in 1922, was apparently the mummified hand of a hanged man. Local wisdom is that the appendage can be used to put a robbery victim into a hypnotic state. It may not be true, but its gray, shriveled shape is still something to behold.
If you are looking for paranormal phenomena Red Riding Hood Ghost Walk Wheelchair accessible tours of the town are held throughout the year. A must-see is the “Tunnel of Screams” – an alley where people report seeing dark, shadowy figures and hearing otherworldly screams. Incidentally, it offers an unparalleled view of the monastery.
Although somewhat unfamiliar, the atmosphere in Whitby is undeniably vibrant. I’ve never had a beer queue longer than here Whitby Brewerya fantastic location just across the road from the Abbey. Some are White Horse and Griffin, There’s also a traditional pub and hotel that is – you guessed it – said to be haunted. Not even Tripadvisor Reviews Featuring stories of bizarre encounters.
For something more worldly, stroll past the red roofs fortune smokehouse – The last remaining smokehouse in the port. Five generations of herring fishermen have worked in this space, and their pickled kippers make a rather quirky souvenir. As this is a seaside town, you could do worse than eat fish and chips (try the award-winning fish and chips) Mr Chips By the beach. )
For something more appropriate, visit a charming and unique independent shop – confusion Case in point – selling gothic accessories and clothing. Or visit one of the many jewelers who create rings and necklaces from Whitby jet: a black “stone” made from fossilized driftwood. I will be Jetworks Highly recommended.
And it’s not just in the town itself, the lines between human and monster seem a bit blurry. On Saturday morning I walked along the coast to Sandsend and then inland to the ruins. Mulgrave Castle.
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The ruins date back to the 13th century, but local legend suggests that the existing castle stands on the site of an earlier structure built by a giant named Wade, who is associated with many different locations in this part of Yorkshire. Elsewhere in the forest, a fairy named Jenny lives in a cave and casts spells on passers-by who disturb her.
I didn’t find Jenny, and I saw no sign of Wade. Maybe they all went to Whitby for the weekend. That’s the beauty of it. Often, the strongest feelings of fascination come from being away from busy settlements. But in Whitby, the paranormal is pushed into the heart of the town. It has become human.
how to do
Getting to Whitby by public transport can be a challenging place. Northern Rail provides the following services: middlesbrough Multiple times a day on weekdays, but less frequently on weekends. From London, I recommend taking Train to York then a Bus travel across the North York Moorswhich is a great way to get into the atmosphere of the area. The two-hour journey is only £3, which is great value too.
Where to stay
I live in Union Place, a beautiful Georgian townhouse just a few minutes’ walk from Whitby city centre. The owner Richard is an artist. If you’re lucky, he might give you a tour of his studio. There were also two dogs on the property, which (for me) made the whole experience even more welcoming.
union square Bed and breakfast (B&B) rooms for two are available from £90 per night.
