View of Whitby from St Mary's church, North Yorkshire, England - stock photo

Path in the graveyard beside this historic church on the cliff above the town of Whitby. A busy tourist destination with many attractions and a connection to the novel 'Dracula'.

R A Kearton/Getty

St Mary's Church

Whitby


The 199 steps of Church Stairs lead steeply up from the end of Church St, passing the spooky graveyard of St Mary's Church, a favourite haunt of Goth courting couples. The atmospheric interior of the church is full of skewed and tilting galleries and box pews; the oldest parts date to the 12th century.

So many Dracula fans come here looking for the vampire's grave that the church has had to put a sign on the door informing the public that, alas, it's not there…because he's not real.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Whitby attractions

1. Whitby Jet Heritage Centre

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A museum housing the remains of Whitby's last Victorian jet workshop lies at the bottom of the 199 steps, with original tools rescued from a derelict…

2. Museum of Whitby Jet

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5. Bram Stoker Memorial Seat

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6. Endeavour Experience Whitby

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8. Whitby Museum

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