Hauntingly good Halloween at Whitby Abbey

Time Travellers Go... Ghosts & Ghouls, 27 October – 4 November

Its ruins have stood on the Whitby headland for centuries, inspiring artists and writers to create gothic masterpieces, and this half term, Whitby Abbey will play host to a range of spookily good activities for the whole family.

Celebrating the 19thcentury fascination with ghost stories and the paranormal, Whitby Abbey’s very own Victorian Undertaker will be regaling visitors with tales of funeral arrangements – from the extravagant funeral cortege to the unscrupulous actions of some less reputable undertakers, who could often encourage a vulnerable family into huge debt in order to appropriately mark the passing of a loved one. He’ll also be leading visitors on fun ghost hunts within the Abbey ruins – which is home to legends of mysterious white ladies and phantom choirs!

“Whitby Abbey has long been associated with a number of myths and legends, from the way that St. Hilda is said to have cast out all the serpents living on site, to the Victorian fascination with the macabre epitomised by Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Many people come to the Abbey today looking for Dracula’s grave – so what finer place is there to celebrate the Halloween season,” comments property manager, Sarah Bedlington.

As part of the Time Travellers Go…Ghosts and Ghouls activities, throughout the week children can also enjoy hands-on creepy craft activities, including origami bats, and skeleton and spider making in the Time Travellers Big Top.

The event runs daily from 11.00am to 4.00pm, with the Abbey itself open from 10.00am to 5.00pm. Admission prices are £6.20 for adults, £5.60 for concessions and £3.70 for children, with a family ticket (two adults and up to three children) available for £16.10. English Heritage members get in free. There is an additional charge of £1 on standard admission for every child to cover Time Traveller activities.

For more information, please call 01947 603568 or visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/whitbyabbey

ENDS

For further media information, please contact:

Jay Commins – PRO English Heritage (Yorkshire)

Tel: 0113 251 5698

Mob: 07810 546567

Email: jay@fim.org.uk