
5 of the sites that inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula
After completing a theatrical tour in 1890, actor Henry Irving recommended Whitby as somewhere to stay to Abraham ‘Bram’ Stoker.
After spending time wandering around Whitby, the town’s windswept headland, the dramatic abbey ruins and the famous Whitby jet, which was used in mourning jewellery, all provided inspiration to Bram to write Dracula, the famous book that he would be most remembered for.
There are many sites in Whitby which are mentioned in the Dracula novel, or are connected with Bram Stoker which you can visit today.
6 Royal Crescent (formerly Mrs Veazey’s guesthouse)
You’ll find a plaque at 6 Royal Crescent, Whitby, commemorating the time Bram Stoker spent here.
Whitby Abbey
Whitby Abbey dominates the skyline of Whitby with this high position. Once a Benedictine monastery, this great building was founded in the 11th century. Today it is maintained by English Heritage and a standard adult ticket is £11 online.
Tate Hill Pier
This is where the ship called the Demeter docked bringing Dracula to Whitby. Inspired by the shipwreck of a Russian vessel called the Dmitry, from Narva. The ‘large dog’ bounds from the wreck and runs up the 199 steps to the church. You can follow in the dog’s paws up the same 199 steps to Whitby Abbey.

St Mary’s Church
Just below the abbey is the parish church of St Mary, reached by the 199 steps. You can visit inside for free and there is a small shop. Take a look at all the people ascending and descending the stairs below.
Stoker actually took names from the gravestones here, who then became part of the novel, such as ‘Swales’, the name of Dracula’s first victim in Whitby.
Bram Stokers Bench
The memorial plaque reads: “The view from this spot inspired Bram Stoker (1847-1912) to use Whitby as the setting of part of his world-famous novel DRACULA. This seat was erected by Scarborough Borough Council and the Dracula Society to mark the 68th Anniversary of Stoker’s death – April 20th 1980”
Naming Dracula
Whilst in Whitby, Stoker visited the library on the Harbourside, it is now the Quayside fish and chip restaurant.
Here, he read a book called ‘An Account of the Principalities of Wallachia and Moldova’ by William Wilkinson, which mentions Vlad Tepes, who was also known as Vlad the Impaler…and Dracula – the ‘son of the dragon’.
After all that walking you’ll be needing some food and we can recommend a visit to the Fisherman’s Wife, located on Khyber Pass.
Be the first to comment