Whitby is the true home of Dracula...
It was here, as Bram Stoker was looking out over the town towards the ruins of Whitby Abbey.....
....insiration struck and one of fictions most terrifying characters was born.
We are celebrating Halloween in Whitby this year and invite geocachers far and wide to join us.
This event is themed. We ask attendees to dress in the spirit of the occasion.....
....the more gruesome, hideous, and terrifying, the better.
We also invite you to bring your pumpkin to our 'Foul Faced Festivities'.
We hope to see horrible costumes, scary faces.... we want to terrify those who might pass.
Ghostly goings on include prizes for the children and some odd bits for the more mature....
.....although I can't promise there will be anything nice...
Look out for our petrifying parchment to sign away your life...
....sorry, scribble your ghastly attendance....
When and where will this gathering take place, I hear you moaning?
Saturday 31st October, on the famous '199 steps' leading to St. Mary's Church / Whitby Abbey
(at the level platform, just visible at the bottom of this photo)....
.....between 6:30pm and 7pm - A group photo will be taken soon after 6:45pm.
Why on earth would I want to go, I hear you groan?
A good question indeed.
To prove you have guts. You may even still have them when you leave...
To prove you are not afraid of the dark...
To give the children something to fear... sorry, look forward to...
To see Whitby from one of the most scenic locations when it's dark...
and as if those reasons are not enough...
This event takes place during the Goth weekend in Whitby. This means you will not be alone, there will be many people in the town dressed in an unconventional way. We encourage gothic dress to honour the legend of Dracula, however, there are many other Halloween costumes and we will equally encourage witches, wizards, giant pumpkins etc....
A particular treat is that Whitby Abbey is especially lit for the Halloween Weekend. We have deliberately set the event on the steps leading to the abbey so you can go and view the abbey in its spooky splendour. The abbey is also having special late night openings should you want to look around during this terrifying time - costumed characters and a performance of Dracula - this may need booking in advance. More information
Whitby is likely to be busy so please allow plenty of time to arrive. The events of the Goth weekend take place at the Pavillion on the west side of town, so this is likely to be the area to avoid trying to park (this event is on the east side). The town will be quite alive and always offers a lively but family friendly atmosphere. The steps are lit at night and we will be within a well populated area. Note, please do not enter the churchyard of St. Mary's Church in fancy dress. It is viewed by the church as disrespectful and the Goths were banned from 2011 onwards so it is probably wise to avoid it. You will be welcomed anywhere else in town, many people dress for Halloween in Whitby. Please don't block the steps during the event, we will keep to the viewing area and that side of the steps (they are quite wide here). We hope everyone will attend in the ghostly spirit intended, however, you only need appear during the given timings to log 'attended' and we welcome everyone, costumed or not. We may be there longer than the listed times, but then again, we may not....
So if you've never visited the beautiful town of Whitby, why not make tonight your first time....
....you might just leave with memories that will never be forgotten....