The ruins of Whitby Abbey sit among the most celebrated sights in North Yorkshire, and it is easy to see why.
The first monastery here dates back to 657, and grew to become one of the most important religious centres in Anglo Saxon England. In 664 it was the setting for the Synod of Whitby, which was a landmark in the history of the Church in England. These days, all that remains are some ruins - and what remains is still impressive.
For Dracula enthusiasts, Whitby is a must-visit destination.
The 13th-century ruins of Whitby Abbey are spectacular and full of history. This was the site where St. Hilda founded the abbey in 657 A.D., which became one of the most important religious centers in the Anglo-Saxon world.
However, In 1664 it was a setting for the Synod of Whitby, a landmark in the history of the Church in England.
Dracula’s connection to Whitby is rumored to begin in 14th century, when his coffin was reportedly transported through the town by a ship heading for Germany. But history reveals that Dracula’s connection began much earlier than that.
Therefore, Stoker didn't just spend time in our library researching Dracula, he also stumbled upon a name that's become synonymous with horror, vampires and gothic romance.
Thanks to some research in Whitby, Stoker found himself researching Vlad the Impaler; a Wallachian ruler who earned the moniker Dracula meaning son of the dragon and devil. Additionally, He took inspiration from this and incorporated it into his ghost story.
Before visiting Whitby in 1890, Bram Stoker had already begun to plan a vampire tale. He then came to Whitby and used his time here to research and develop his ideas. He also discovered the name Dracula while researching at our library.
This was a name of Vlad Tepes or Vlad the Impaler, who was born in Wallachia, Romania. 8th August 1890 marks the discovery of this name, the same date Dracula’s fictional ship runs aground in Whitby.
The Gothic style has a long history in Whitby and our connections with Dracula are clear to see throughout the town. Furthermore, It’s perhaps one of the reasons we’re so popular with Goths.
You won’t want to miss the Dracula Experience.
Visit Whitby’s famous Dracula Experience on Marine Parade, the novel brought to life as you walk through different scenes and watch them unfold around you. Find the experience in a building dating back hundreds of years.
One of the earliest Title Deeds shows Sir Isaac Newton to be one of the building’s original owners. If you happen to see a young girl with ringlets in her hair playing on the first floor, however, she’s not one of the actors, but the resident ghost!
