A little light shows off Whitby's Gothic Muse

28 – 30 October 2010

 

New light will shine over the famous shadowy ruins overlooking Whitby Town this October, when Whitby Abbey embraces its Victorian Gothic heritage for three days and nights of themed events, timed to coincide with the half term holiday and Whitby’s Goth Weekend.

 

From 28 to 30 October, the clock will be turned back 120 years to the late 19^th century, when Bram Stoker first visited Whitby, and Frank Meadow Sutcliffe was taking photographs that people still cherish today!  Visitors to the site during the day will meet Victorian falconers, showing their skills at handling magnificent birds of prey, who will fly and swoop around the Gothic arches of the Abbey ruins, whilst a night, visitors can enjoy a floodlit walk around the ruins, enjoying traditional fare and watching classic Victorian sideshows.

 

“Although the Abbey has stood for nearly 1000 years, for many visitors to Whitby today, it is the Victorian influence that guides their understanding of the site, as the ruin remains largely unchanged from the time when it was inspiring authors like Stoker and Elizabeth Gaskell,” explains regional events manager, Jon Hogan.  “Our Days and Nights of Victorian Gothic event takes a snapshot of pastimes and interests of Victorian visitors – including a renaissance of medieval traditions, such as falconry, and even the funereal traditions, which take huge inspiration from medieval pageantry and ceremony.”

 

Days of Victorian Gothic runs each day from 12 noon until 3.00pm, and will feature displays and talks on falconry by the UK’s leading historic falconry experts, Mike and Emma Raphael.  Visitors can meet the falconers and their birds up close in the Bird Mews, and then see the magnificent birds in flight in regular displays.

 

Also welcoming visitors and explaining the Victorian’s fascination with death and the macabre will be historic re-enactor, Simon Kirk, explaining the traditions of mourning and grief, as well as the traditions of the funeral display which, for Victorians, were often even more elaborate than wedding ceremonies!

 

As night falls, the Abbey re-opens for a sublime after-dark experience, with the ruins illuminated with purple and orange lighting and providing visitors a chance to wander around the site, and enjoy the thrills of the Victorian sideshow, courtesy of comedy duo ‘What a Palaver’, bringing Victorian favourites traditional escapology, fire-eating and the bed of nails to the 21^st century audience! 

 

To help visitors keep warm on the chilly autumnal evening, hot drinks and food will also be available on the site, including gourmet hot dogs and burgers. 

 

One highlight of the event will be the recreation of a Victorian funeral procession, perfectly demonstrating the extravagant ‘send-offs’ that became such an important feature of Victorian society, complete with horse-drawn funeral carriage, professional mourners and even a ‘mute’, whose role was to remain silent throughout the ceremony.

 

Day of Victorian Gothic runs from 12 noon until 3.00pm, with the Abbey itself – including the interactive museum – open from 10.00am to 4.00pm.  The site will re-open for the first part of Nights of Victorian Gothic from 5.30pm to 7.00pm, and for the second session from 7.30pm to 9.00pm.

 

Admission prices are

Days of Victorian Gothic

£6.00 for adults, £5.00 for concessions, £4.00 for children or £16 for a family ticket (two adults and up to three children), and free for English Heritage members.

Nights of Victorian Gothic

£9.50 for adults, £8.50 for concessions, £7.50 for children.  English Heritage members receive discounted entry of £8.00, £7.00 and £6.00 respectively.

 

Joint ‘Days’ & ‘Nights’ tickets are also available, with discounts for advance bookings.  Adult tickets are £12.50, Concessions are £10.50, and Children are £8.50. On the day combination ticket prices are: Adult £14.50, Concession £12.50, Child £10.50.

 

Tickets are available from Whitby Abbey or by calling 0870 333 1183.  For more details, please visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/whitby.  You can also join Whitby Abbey’s Days & Nights of Victorian Gothic group on Facebook.

 

ENDS

 

Whitby Abbey’s Days & Nights of Victorian Gothic is just one of the events planned at English Heritage sites over the half term break. Other Halloween-themed events include:

 

Fri 29 & Sat 30 Oct

Haunted Halloween – Tales of Fear

Richmond Castle

Sessions at 5.30pm, 7.00pm & 8.30pm & 10.00pm

It is the eve of All Saints – Halloween – and you think you are brave, fearless and daring. Well think again! Join in this series of tales and stories with our costumed storytellers from North Country Theatre. Wear warm clothes (perhaps a waterproof!), sensible footwear. This event is not suitable for very young children. Pre booking is essential, places are limited please phone the site to book on 01748 822493

In advance £9.00/ £8.00/ £7.00

On the Night £11.00/ £10.00/ £9.00

EH Members in advance £7.00/ £6.00/ £5.00

EH Members on the night £9.00/ £8.00/ £7.00

 

Sat 30 & Sun 31 October

Tales of Fear from the Castle 

Conisbrough Castle

Storytelling performances begin at 5.30pm, 7.30pm & 9.30pm. 

It is the eve of All Saints – and we present a selection of unsettling tales for Halloween, Our costumed storyteller will take small groups into the castle grounds after dark and into the various chambers of the Keep to reveal these tales of fright.  Not for the faint hearted or for the under 10’s.  Do dress warm, the castle is unheated. Each session last approx 1 hour.

In advance: £8 full price/ £6 concessions

In advance EH Members £7 full price / £5 concessions

Pre booking is essential, places are limited please phone the site to book on 0870 333 1183

 

 

For further media information, or photographs of the illuminated Whitby Abbey please contact:

Jay Commins

PRO – English Heritage

Tel: 0113 251 5698

Mob: 07810 546567

Email: jay@fim.org.uk