Whitby and Dracula 

There are many tales related to the coast - but possibly none so blood chilling as this one. In the late 1890s, while staying in Whitby, Bram Stoker wrote part of his famous novel 'Dracula.' In a violent storm Count Dracula was shipwrecked and taking on the form of a large dog he rushed up the 199 steps towards St. Mary's Church, there to take refuge in the grave of a suicide victim.

To this day a gravestone near the church bears the skull and crossbones, some say this is simply the grave of a pirate, others are not so sure .... Beware of walking alone through the churchyard, particularly on a stormy winters night when the wind howls and the shadows dance!