|
- In the eighteenth century the fortunes of the tiny fishing
community were transformed in the great whaling boom that
swept through the north of England.
- Captain Cook, the explorer who became a national
hero when he discovered Australia, began his seafaring career
in Whitby where he was an apprentice. All four of the ships
for his expedition were built here.
- One of England's first textile factories was in Whitby,
at the time of the industrial revolution. Labourers used to
pay their landlords with urine, as the toxins were used to
hold the dyes together in the fabric. The expression 'taking
the piss' originated from taking buckets of pee down to the
factory.
What's there to see and do?
- Look out over the town from the top of St Mary's Church
There's 199 steps to the top but the exertion is well worth
it for the panoramic views of the town.
- Take a Dracula Tour
See the place where Stoker wrote his best-seller, learn how
the own inspired him and hear the strange stories of vampire
happenings ever since.
- Hang out with the horror fans
Whitby is the place to spend Halloween. The streets
are overrun with pasty faced goths in costume, on their way
to the Vampire's Ball. Lurid goings on in the churchyard,
reputed to be the final resting place of Count Dracula have
been curtailed but a special service for the Goths takes place
in the church.
|
