Vampire hunting in Whitby
Having spent last month’s Little Adventure exploring my home county of Kent I was very excited at the prospect of going further afield this month. This desire was duly answered when the leaders of this month’s competition emerged as ‘Walking the Northumberland coast’ and ‘Vampire hunting in Whitby’. With a mere 1% separating the two finalists ‘Vampire hunting in Whitby’ was victorious by a whisker.
Despite its relatively small size Whitby has been home to many world famous individuals including Captain Cook and Bram Stoker. With its stunning landmarks and breathtaking views it is no surprise that this small seaport town has been an inspiration to so many remarkable people. As Bram Stoker said of Whitby, “This is a lovely place … Right over the town is the ruin of Whitby Abbey. It is a most noble ruin, of immense size and full of beautiful bits.”
As this was my first visit to Whitby, I soon realised why Dracula chose such a beautiful place to land in England. But true to my quest my first activity was to trace Dracula's sojourn using the local Dracula guide book. Hungry from this activity I then fortified myself with Whitby's world famous fish and chips before I explored the other wonderful sights of The Abbey (www.whitbyabbey.co.uk), the Esk Valley and Robin Hood's Bay.
Whitby Dracula Trail
For a nominal fee of 50p I bought the Whitby Dracula Trail guide from the local Tourist Information Centre. The guide was developed with the help of the London based Dracula Society and takes in the landmarks of old and new Whitby.
The tour starts at the Bram Stoker Memorial Seat which was built on the 20th April 1980 to commemorate the 68th anniversary of Bram Stoker’s death. It was said that on this spot directly opposite the Royal Hotel, the inspiration for the novel, Dracula, was born. It is of little wonder as this place is clearly breathtaking, with clear views of the sea, the town and the Abbey in the near distance.
As the self-guided tour winds its way around the old streets of Whitby documenting different points of interest it is easy to imagine yourself back in the 1870s when Stocker wrote his classic novel. As you make your way along the narrow streets and steep slopes, numerous old fashioned restaurants and quaint shops reminiscent of times past can be seen.
The final destination on this tour is perhaps the most famous landmark mentioned in Dracula namely the 199 steps leading up to St. Mary’s Church. It was here that Mina made a frantic dash as she ran up the steps to save Lucy only to find her friend being protected and asleep beside the Black Dog (Dracula).
Unfortunately, after walking up those steps I did not find my own Black Dog to protect me but I did have the reward of a stunning view of Whitby and the church of St. Mary’s itself was beautiful. But even more impressive was the fantastic view from the churchyard across the river to Whitby Abbey.
Whitby Abbey
This imposing abbey has to be the most famous landmark that Whitby has to offer. Although, I was aware that this prestigious landmark dominated the landscape, I was not quite prepared for how much. Not only can it be seen from almost every point of Whitby but also for miles in advance as you approach this seaside town.
Christians have worshiped at this site since the middle of the 7th Century even though little is known about it origins. In the 9th Century the abbey fell victim to an attack by Vikings but was subsequently rebuilt but was eventually destroyed by Henry VIII. Today it is still seen as a prominent landmark for sailors.
At a cost of £4.20 for adults, £3.20 for concessions and £2.10 for children it is possible to see this building up close and this charge also covers the cost of entry to the museum which details the known history of this abbey.
Whilst a visit to the abbey and the views of the town on either side of the river Esk and the Esk valley itself are enough reason to visit Whitby there are other items of interest in this historic place and its surroundings.
Captain Cook
The spirit of Captain James Cook (1728-1789) pervades Whitby and it is clear that this town is proud of its association with the famous captain. As a lad, it was in Whitby that Captain Cook learned his seafaring skills before he went on to greater things in His Majesty’s navy. Places you can visit are the museum detailing his early life, to his monument overlooking the cliff and you can experience a taste of life at sea in Captain Cook’s time by cruising on a replica of his ship the Endeavor. Although, I did not have time to go cruising on the Endeavor I did manage to spend an enjoyable few hours looking around the museum.
More about The Captain Cook Memorial Museum
Robin Hood’s Bay
Located 6 miles from Whitby is Robin Hood’s Bay which is a must see for its world renowned natural beauty spot. It was also noted as a smuggler’s haven in years past and its twisty streets and labyrinthine layout conjures up images of swashbuckling plunderers keeping a wary lookout. Nearby is the Cleveland Way, one of twelve national trails, from which the best parts of Robin Hood Bay can be appreciated. But for those less able to walk down the steep slopes into the village there is still a gorgeous view of the landscape from the vantage point of the visitors’ car park.
Food and Drink
Whitby is not only a renowned seaside town but, as I was informed, also produced the best fish and chips in England. Rated as number one was the Magpie Café where only freshly caught fish is used and the food is prepared to order. With so much to live up to this restaurant needed to be on its toes but not to worry these expectations were not only meet but exceeded. The food was delicious, the staff had Northern charm aplenty and the price was exceptional value with a main meal costing under £10.
Summary
Whitby definitely lived up to all of my expectations. Although, no vampires were found I did find a beautiful seaport town, fantastic views of ancient monuments and wonderful countryside all surrounding the river Esk. This town is full of rich history and picturesque views and I would definitely recommend a weekend vampire hunting in Whitby.
Read last month's little adventure
