Bram Stoker's 'Dracula' is brought to life in this walk-through attraction - a series of 10 scenes…read moreusing sounds and new electronic special effects, eerie life-size models and live actors. A cape weighing 56 kilos and worn by Christopher Lee in his 2nd 'Dracula' film is on show. They say it is an educational and historical tour, ideal for school partiesI think more of an old fashioned fun house thing. Dracula and Whitby were thrown together in a most dramatic manner, to say the least. A terrifying storm lashed the coastline and the Russian schooner, Demeter, somehow managed to gain the safety of the harbour. The Dailygraph newspaper summed up the strange event thus: The searchlight followed her, and a shudder ran through all who saw her, for lashed to the helm was a corpse, with a drooping head, which swung horribly to and fro at each motion of the ship. No other form could be seen on deck at all. A great awe came on all as they realized that the ship, as if by a miracle, had found the harbour, unsteered save by the hand of a dead man! However, all took place more quickly than it takes to write these words. The schooner paused not, but rushing across the harbour, pitched herself on that accumulation of sand and gravel washed by many tides and many storms into the south-east corner of the pier jutting under the East Cliff, known locally as Tate Hill Pier. But, strangest of all, the very instant the shore was touched, an immense dog sprang up on deck from below, as if shot up by the concussion, and running forward, jumped from the bow on the sand. Making straight for the steep cliff, where the churchyard hangs over the laneway to the East Pier so steeply that some of the flat tombstones - 'thruff-steans' or 'throughstones,' as they call them in the Whitby vernacular - actually project over where the sustaining cliff has fallen away, it disappeared in the darkness, which seemed intensified just beyond the focus of the searchlight. Bram Stoker found some of his inspiration for Dracula after staying in the town. He stayed in a house on the West Cliff (the Crescent). Stoker found a general history book at the Whitby Library (which was near the Quayside originally). He tells us so at the top of a sheet of his notes taken from William Wilkinson's 'An Account of the Principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia' (1820). These notes contain the only reference to Dracula (the historical figure) in all of Stoker's papers. There seems to be little doubt that Whitby is where he discovered the name. Prices Adult £1.95 Child £1.50 Concession £1.50 Family £6.00 (2 adults & 2 children)

The Dracula Experience has been in Whitby for donkey's years, and still seems to be a very popular…read moreattraction! It is situated on Marine Parade, opposite the Lifeboat Mooring. It is open all year round, including Christmas and New Year! I visited the Draculsa Experience a couple of years back with my niece who was 13 at the time. We kind of knew what to expect, and we weren't disappointed! Although there's really not much to the attraction itself it does have it's charm; it's basically just a walk-through telling the story of Dracula, with waxworks and spooky noises to give it that authentic spooky feel! There was a live actor on when we visited (at least i hope it was an actor) and he was following us around touching us with his long rubber hands! We thought this was hilarious as we kept telling him to go away and making the sign of the cross at him! I would recommend the Dracula Experience for adults and older children; it would probably be too scary for most under sevens. It is a daft laugh and you can't knock it for some cheap entertainment!

We bought a reed diffuser for Mothers day and when we got home to Durham there was a small crack…read morethat let the liquid out. Got in touch and got a new one posted straight away with no fuss. Lovely man and a great service!

Always one to give fellow artists a bit of publicity in the hope they may do the same for me one…read moreday. Nice to have a bit of art from visiting places. I have 4 tiny watercolours, in one frame, 2 of Whitby and 2 of Robin Hoods Bay. This is a converted slaughterhouse and adjoining butcher's shop in the old part of Whitby. Now the busy, open,studio of John Freeman. See the artist at work and developing paintings in the visitor area. Over 200 original watercolours limited edition and 'open' prints available to view and purchase. Commissions are also undertaken by him. The studio also has a fine range of studies of H M Endeavour. His work, particularly his very popular 'Nocturne' series, are a wonderful combination of atmosphere and detail.Many of the habour and abbey. A born and bred Yorkshire man he loves to paint remote areas and dilapidated buildings. His detail to light and shade give his work an incredible feeling of mood and atmosphere. Free entry

For a bit of fun the Whitby Walks come in 3 catagories:…read moreGhost, Dracula & Heritage. The guide is the man in black - Harry Collett Contact: West Cliff, Whitby, YO21 3HA some start at the Whale Arch. Thousand years of ecclesiastical and maritime heritage are preserved in the historic port of Whitby. Fine houses, secret courtyards, alleys and ghauts remain to be discovered with the 'STORYWALKER' who, dressed in character costume will tell you stories and answer your questions about the heritage. The Dracula walks of course cover the Bram Stoker stuff and scary/ghosty things. The separate ghost walk is of course ghosts. Whitby walks will ensure that you reach the parts of Whitby that others miss as they know so much about the place. Great if you are only there for a day or weekend. Adults £4, Children (under 14) £2

An unusual museum in many ways reminiscent of Victorian style…read more Whitby Museum is an independent Museum founded in 1823 and run by Whitby Literary & Philosophical Society. The main hall retains the atmosphere of a Victorian/Edwardian Museum and has sometimes been called a 'Museum within a Museum'. It is also remarkable for the variety of its collections. An amazing collection of local fossils, natural history, model ships, carved jet, toys, costumes and social history. There are relics of the Scoresbys - famous whalers - and Captain Cook. Ships captains of the past brought back to the Museum unusual things from all the seven seas. The fossil collection with the wall mounted saurians and the wonderful jet collection are of international importance. Other very important collections are the Samplers, Ethnography, Ship Models and the Scoresby (2 whaling captains). If you are interested in natural history, James Cook, archaeology, ceramics, paintings, bygones, Whitby Abbey, toys and dolls or militaria you are bound to find something of interest. A large varied and ever growing collection of toys, dolls, books and games ranging from Elizabethan wooden dolls to the Pelham puppets along with an early Punch and Judy set. A host of other toys includes a furnished dolls house plus a selection of tin toys and wind up vehicles. There is also a varied selection of wax-headed, bisque and composition dolls, most in beautiful costumes. The really interesting part ..a MUST SEE! Whitby Museum is the home of the 'Hand of Glory' (used in many a novel) The Hand of Glory is the dried and pickled hand of a man who has been hanged, often specified as being the left (Latin: sinister) hand, or else, if the man were hanged for murder, the hand that did the deed. According to old European beliefs, a candle made of the fat from a malefactor who died on the gallows, virgin wax, and Lapland sesame oil (the candle could only be put out with milk), and the hand having come from the said hanged criminal, lighted and placed in the Hand of Glory (as in a candlestick) would have rendered motionless all persons to whom it was presented. (In another version the hair of the dead man is used as a wick, also the candle is said to give light only to the holder.) The Hand of Glory also purportedly had the power to unlock any door it came across. The other wonderful item is the 'Tempest Prognosticator'.a 19th century invention by George Merryweather in which leeches are used in a barometer. The twelve leeches are kept in small bottles inside the device; when they become agitated by an approaching storm they attempt to climb out of the bottles and trigger a small hammer which strikes a bell. The likelihood of a storm is indicated by the number of times the bell is struck. The Society also runs a library, an archives and lectures. A new wing has been recently added to the Museum and contains temporary exhibitions and costume galleries as well as displays on ship building, herbaria and the Growth of Whitby. The Library and Archives: Contains books and other resources on the history of the Whitby area. Members of the public are welcome Tuesdays to Fridays 10am to 1pm and the first Sunday afternoon of each month 2pm-4pm. Prices Adult £3.00 Child £1.00 Family £7.00 Concession £2.50

This museum boast some 70,000 items and it's all packed in very densely. You'll find a complete…read morelist of their collection on the website but it includes such curiosities as dinosaur fossils, taxidermy birds and fish, an entire room a antique model ships (a few made of bones!), a petrified human hand, antique clothes and shoes. It was impressive, fascinating, and a little grotesque.

I love the goth weekend despite not being a goth…read more The community is so friendly and accepting. Everyone talks and are happy to discuss their clothing. As an autistic person, crowds can be tricky but everyone is accepting. It feels like a super safe atmosphere.

Twice a year Whitby has weekends when the place is overun with Goths. You can go to the event which…read morehas great bands or just go and stare at the insanity and the wonderful outfits. It is like the world of the undead has risen. The origins of WGW lie in an ad hoc meeting of around forty pen-pals who had met through NME and which was arranged in 1994.It states that Whitby was chosen for its Dracula connections, although probably more so because this had already fostered a sense of acceptance on the part of locals and businesses rather than any inherent romanticism regarding the location. The festival was held yearly until 1997, when it became twice-yearly, now held in April and October. It has since grown into one of the most popular gothic events in the world, attracting attendees from across the UK and around the world. Most of the events are held at the town's 1,000 capacity Whitby Spa Pavilion (known just as 'The spa', this is also where the 'Goth Market' is held), however, other venues such as The Metropole Hotel are used for overspill and The Resolution Pub for unofficial events. Although referred to as a weekend it includes events during the day on Friday and Saturday as well as fringe events on the Thursday, Sunday and Monday. It sells out fast so tickets need to be bought online well in advance.

This is a must to see given the history of the town and they are very friendly..willing to tell…read moreexciting sea tales to youngsters :) Whitby Lifeboat Museum (RNLI) The lifeboat museum on Pier Road, Whitby has as its main exhibit the last pulling lifeboat to be in service with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), plus models of lifeboats and other types of vessel, diorama of 'Rohilla' wreck and local history of the Whitby lifeboat station. The tale is toldof bravery and sacrifice Rohilla, a 7,400 ton hospital ship with 229 crew and medical staff aboard. On the morning of October 30th 1914, she ran onto a reef near Whitby in an ESE gale, breaking in half in the mountainous seas. The lifeboat reached the wreck twice after a fearful struggle, and took off 37 survivors, but could not return a third time as the rocks had taken their toll on the lifeboat.At 1.00 am on Sunday the lifeboat was in Whitby harbour, and four hours later set out for the wreck A rope was let down to the lifeboat, and figures scrambled down. In less than a quarter of an hour more than forty men had been taken into the lifeboat. It was then that two enormous waves were seen rolling up at tremendous speed. They swept over Rohilla onto the lifeboat, enveloping it. Each time the tough little craft disappeared for a moment, reappeared, tottered, and righted herself gamely. Closer still she hugged the vessel's side till every man aboard - fifty of them in all - had been hauled into the rescuing boat. The rescuers, for their heroism, were awarded three gold and four silver medals. But the peril was not yet over ; as the lifeboat shot passed the wreck on her return journey she was struck broadside on by a great wave;but once more she manfully withstood the shock, and swept out to sea. The Whitby pulling lifeboat putting out to help a fishing boat. The pulling lifeboat remained in service at Whitby until 1957. Because the ship was only four hundred yards from the shore some of the crew attempted to make their own way to landfall but sadly even with the efforts of the lifeboat crews 84 members of the ship's compliment perished out of a total of 229. Free but leave a donation..they deserve itwe cry out to Thee for those in Peril on the Sea!

Anyone from this seafaring nation of ours cannot fail to be touched by some of these stories. That…read morethe RNLI still needs to be funded by charitable donations is a sad indictment on how low our Government values the wonderful service performed by these true heroes. The Whitby museum is well worth a 100 mile drive, but I urge you to visist ALL our RNLI museums, all run by volunteers. And please do give freely

The Sutcliffe gallery is a gem. I have a few framed prints that I bought in this shop and spent…read moreages looking through images of past times. Some are local characters like fishergirls Polly Swallow and Lizzy Alice Hawksfield. He produced magnificent studies of the characterful fisherfolk working around the harbourside with its picturesque square-rigged ships. Think Prospect of Whitby (the pub in Wapping) named after one of the ships. Love the one of the miller and the sweep on a cart..new meaning to black and white! Naked children swimming and playing (Water Rats)..children on doorsteps..farm workers..urchins. Lizzy spent many years on my wall as did one of ships in harbour. His most famous image is called Water rats (1886), a delightful picture which caused considerable controversy, and the wrath of the Whitby clergy for corruption of the young; it is said that they excommunicated Sutcliffe for exhibiting what they felt to be an indecent print to the corruption of the young and the other sex. By contrast the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) purchased a copy of the picture. A photographer who is regarded as a pictorialist, there is also the documentary aspect of much of his work, portraying as it does the life of the times, with their street musicians, farmers, and other ordinary people. The full extent of his contribution was not recognised until long after his death. His work may also be seen at the Whitby Literary and Philosophical Society, Whitby. If you love Victorian scenes and photography..mainly of happy people then I defy anyone to browse this place and not come out owning a few prints. Background history for those interested: Frank Sutcliffe, born at Headingley, Leeds in 1853, set up his own professional photographic studio in a dis-used jet workshop in Waterloo Yard, Whitby in 1875. He remained in Whitby up until his death at the age of 88 in 1941..Sutcliffe developed a great affection for the busy little fishing port on the rugged North Yorkshire coast. These Whitby photos, together with his superbly composed landscapes and the farming community going about its daily tasks in the neighbouring moorland villages and valleys, eventually earned him over sixty gold, silver and bronze medals at exhibitions throughout the world between the late 1870s and the end of the 19th century. The vast majority of his negatives were on whole plate glass, the earliest being on wet collodion requiring the glass to be coated with the sensitive emulsion immediately prior to exposure of the plate. These negatives and the business were acquired by the Shaw family in 1959 after having been passed along through two other owners subsequent to Frank Sutcliffe. In 1965 Sutcliffe's plates were donated by The Sutcliffe Gallery to Whitby Literary & Philosophical Society, owners of Whitby Museum. Since that time a gradual process has taken place of transferring the images from the original plate, in the early days onto 8x10 sheet film, to create high quality duplicate negatives but now, with the means available to make high resolution scans, each subject is being digitally recorded on to two CDs, one for the Gallery archives and one for Whitby Literary & Philosophical Society. The main reason for doing all of this is the ethical one of obviating any further handling of the original negative.

I am not really into folk but it is such a fun atmosphere I am sure anyone can enjoy it…read more This long-standing celebration of the traditional music, dance and song of the British Isles has taken on the trappings of a tradition in its own right. With over 600 events covering workshops, concerts, singarounds, dances, sessions, street entertainment and the extensive 'fringe' events that blossom spontaneously The famous Whitby Folk Week. The approx. 600 events on offer range from public dance displays to major dances and concerts. Full programme of workshops in most folk related topics / instruments / types of dance, both at beginner and higher level. Extensive children's programmeSeven days of dancing in the streets, music and singing in the pubs, concerts and dances until late into the night, and a whole lot more. Seven days of meeting old friends and making new ones. Altogether, Whitby Folk Week is a good reason for heading to the north east of England in late August each year and exploring Whitby too. Expensive to mind my though unless you are really into it. Price: £128 - Adult season ticket, £96 - Senior/Student season ticket, £64 - Junior season ticket

An excellent review - this is the second year I've missed the Whitby Folk Week and I'm having…read moreserious withdrawal symptoms. Anyone interested in good music, good dancing and enjoying themselves should visit at some point. As to the cost - the season ticket covers you for all workshops throughout the week and every concert you can get to - possibly saving more than you paid for it! The workshops are interesting for all - My first visit, I started to learn to play the fiddle, never having touched one before. Also bear in mind that all the street entertainment and pub singing sessions are free.

doodlepots is such a fantastic idea for a business. the idea is you go there and they provide you…read morewith all the materials etc you need to paint your own really professional looking ceramics. you choose a mug or a plate etc paint it however you want and then leave it with them to glaze etc. wish i'd thought of it! we've visited at least 3 times now and always manage to stay for hours!

We'd walked Doodlepots a few times and it looked interesting but wasn't sure if we could just go in…read moreand paint, not having children to take in with us. We needn't have worried, its open to anyone, we went in and chose a dragon each to paint, and were sat down at a table with paints and brushes. The staff in there explain about what you need to do first to ensure the dust is off the item, and then about the colours and layering, and they leave you to it. It's really relaxing, and you can have a hot drink and cake while there, they do monster cappuccinos' which are well worth the money. Once you've finished painting you leave your item to dry, then pay for the pot, the paints and depending on whether you are collecting it, a postage fee. We've always collected ours so you get a day when it'll be ready and you go back and pick up a fired shiny pot. We've done it twice as its so relaxing and we love, and I would recommend it especially on a damp day!