Whitby
The east coast of Yorkshire, especially Whitby, is well known for its belief in ghosts and superstition. One of the most famous supernatural links to Whitby is Bram Stokers ‘Dracula’, which recounts how Count Dracula arrived in England after being shipwrecked off Kettleness, coming ashore in the form of a large black dog. Maybe the inspiration for this story came from the ghostly black dog that was often seen around Kettleness.

Whitby Abbey is said to have its own ghosts. Its founder, St. Hilda, is regularly sighted standing in one of the northern windows wearing her shroud. Also, at daybreak on Christmas morning, a choir of angels is sometimes heard.

Scarborough
Scarborough Castle dominates the town and is the home of several ghost stories. The headless spectre of Piers Galveston, who was beheaded in the Castle, patrols the battlements at night. An old woman in grey, thought to be the wife of the Castle gun keeper was regularly seen around her former home, but as her appearance was disturbing to visitors, an exorcism was performed.

Scarborough Castle: BU02158

Scarborough Castle: SC031130

Filey Brigg
Local folklore has several different tales describing how Filey Brigg, now better known as a beauty spot, was formed. It is a long stony reef that extends almost a mile out to sea. One story claims it was created by the devil, groping in the sea for a dropped hammer. Another claims that the Brigg is the skeletal remains of a dragon!