Dracula and Whitby

Bram Stoker's holiday in 1890

Stoker arrived in Whitby in late July 1890 and lodged with Mrs Veazey at 6 Royal Crescent, on the West Cliff. He spent about a week on his own before his wife Florence and their son Noel joined him.

Where Stoker found the name Dracula

In Whitby's subscription library Stoker read William Wilkinson's 1820 account of Wallachia and Moldavia. It mentions a 15th-century ruler known as Dracula, and Stoker noted the name. English Heritage and Whitby Museum both tell the story of that library visit, and it is why Whitby can claim to be where Count Dracula got his name.

The real shipwreck behind the Demeter

In the novel, Dracula reaches England aboard the Demeter of Varna, which runs aground at Whitby in a storm. Stoker based it on a real wreck. In 1885, five years before his visit, a Russian ship, the Dmitry of Narva, was driven ashore on Tate Hill Sands below the East Cliff. Stoker changed one name and moved the port of departure, and the Dmitry of Narva became the Demeter of Varna.

In the novel, a large dog leaps from the wreck and runs up the steps to the churchyard. Tate Hill Sands is the small beach near the east pier, close to the foot of the 199 steps.

St Mary's churchyard and the abbey

Much of the Whitby part of Dracula takes place on the East Cliff, around St Mary's Church and the ruins of Whitby Abbey. Stoker walked the churchyard and noted the names and inscriptions on its headstones.

The novel also records the legends Stoker heard. Mina writes in her journal that a white lady is said to be seen in one of the abbey windows, and that when a ship is lost, bells are heard out at sea. Our guide to Whitby's ghost stories tells these and other legends.

A Dracula walk around Whitby

You can see the main Dracula places in an easy morning. Start on the West Cliff at Royal Crescent, where Stoker stayed. Nearby, a bench on the West Cliff carries a plaque saying the view from that spot inspired him to use Whitby in Dracula; it was put up in 1980 by the borough council and the Dracula Society.

Walk down to the harbour and cross the swing bridge to the old town. Find Tate Hill Sands beside the east pier, where the Dmitry came ashore, then climb the 199 steps to St Mary's churchyard and Whitby Abbey on the East Cliff. The abbey is cared for by English Heritage, which tells the Dracula story in its own visitor information.

Whitby Goth Weekend

The Dracula connection helped draw goths to Whitby. Whitby Goth Weekend was started in 1994 by Jo Hampshire and is now held twice a year, in spring and around Halloween. See our Whitby Goth Weekend page for the current dates.