A world record was set on the 26th of May 2022 for the largest gathering of people dressed as vampires. We were so excited to be there, help with the event and soak in the atmosphere.
To mark 125 years since Bram Stoker's novel Dracula was published in 1897, English Heritage wanted to celebrate in style. By only going and breaking a world record!

Free Whitby Mini Guide
“Get the best from your stay in Whitby” We have compiled everything you need to know about Whitby into a free mini-guide! Download NowAn outstanding total of 1,369 people attended Whitby Abbey dressed as vampires breaking the previous record of 1,039 set in 2011 at Doswell in Virginia, USA.
Whitby Abbey's manager Mark Williamson said the event had attracted interest worldwide; some participants had even travelled to Whitby from California.
The vampires went through careful costume checks before needing to stand together in the same place for five minutes to break the record. After 21:00 BST on Thursday, confirmation came that the record had been broken.
This wonderful celebration of literature was organised by English Heritage as part of a year of special events in honour of Bram Stoker's Dracula. The event featured great music from local band Westenra and a performance of excerpts of Dracula by the theatre group Time Will Tell. It was a fantastic night celebrating the fictional character of Dracula and Whitby's gothic atmosphere.
English Heritage could not have done it without you! Thank you so much if you got involved in any way.