Dennis Steel's Whitby Goth Weekend
22nd August 2025
In: News, Members' Articles
Whitby Goth Weekend
We attend the Whitby Goth Weekend (a three-day event) every April and November to photograph the Goths in their amazing costumes and makeup.
We usually go on the Sunday, as it's slightly less busy, which gives us more space to take photographs of the Goths as they stroll around Whitby.
The friendly atmosphere of the event makes it a grand day out, and the Goths are always more than happy to have their photographs taken.
We always find time to enjoy a fish and chip lunch at our favourite restaurant, Trenchers – in our opinion, it serves the best fish and chips in Whitby.
There are plenty of photographic opportunities beyond the Goths as you wander along both sides of the River Esk, linked by a swing bridge in the centre of town. If you're early enough, you can get freshly smoked kippers from Fortune’s – but be quick, as they sell out fast. Absolutely delicious.
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Origins of the Whitby Goth Weekend
Whitby Goths refers to the vibrant and diverse Gothic subculture centred on the town of Whitby, North Yorkshire. It's a biannual music and fashion festival and has become one of the most prominent Gothic events in the world.
• Founded: 1994 by Jo Hampshire.
• Purpose: Originally a small gathering of pen-pals from the Gothic subculture.
• Growth: It rapidly developed into a major cultural event, drawing thousands of attendees from across the UK and beyond
• Bram Stoker’s Dracula: Whitby is famously associated with Dracula; Stoker stayed in Whitby and used it as inspiration for parts of his novel.
• Atmosphere: Its eerie abbey ruins, seaside cliffs, and Victorian heritage provide the perfect backdrop for Gothic culture.
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Travelling to Whitby
We’ve found the two best ways to travel to Whitby are:
1. By car via the North York Moors (A169): We park in the large car park behind the Whitby railway station. Again, it’s best to arrive early, as it fills up quickly on Goth weekends.
2. By car to Pickering (also via A169): We park at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) station and then take the NYMR steam train to Whitby. It’s an 18-mile journey through the Esk Valley, taking approximately two hours.
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Photography
The camera I used was the Leica SL2 with the 90mm f/2 lens – my favourite. The photo of Fortune’s kipper shop was taken with the Leica M10 using a 135mm f/3.4 lens.
The photographs included with this text should give you a flavour of the Goth event. Hope you enjoy them.
© Dennis W Steel, 2025
Olivia
Amelia
Ava
Ivy
Lily
Willow
Derek
Two Faces
For Freshly Smoked Kippers
We attend the Whitby Goth Weekend (a three-day event) every April and November to photograph the Goths in their amazing costumes and makeup.
We usually go on the Sunday, as it's slightly less busy, which gives us more space to take photographs of the Goths as they stroll around Whitby.
The friendly atmosphere of the event makes it a grand day out, and the Goths are always more than happy to have their photographs taken.
We always find time to enjoy a fish and chip lunch at our favourite restaurant, Trenchers – in our opinion, it serves the best fish and chips in Whitby.
There are plenty of photographic opportunities beyond the Goths as you wander along both sides of the River Esk, linked by a swing bridge in the centre of town. If you're early enough, you can get freshly smoked kippers from Fortune’s – but be quick, as they sell out fast. Absolutely delicious.
________________________________________
Origins of the Whitby Goth Weekend
Whitby Goths refers to the vibrant and diverse Gothic subculture centred on the town of Whitby, North Yorkshire. It's a biannual music and fashion festival and has become one of the most prominent Gothic events in the world.
• Founded: 1994 by Jo Hampshire.
• Purpose: Originally a small gathering of pen-pals from the Gothic subculture.
• Growth: It rapidly developed into a major cultural event, drawing thousands of attendees from across the UK and beyond
• Bram Stoker’s Dracula: Whitby is famously associated with Dracula; Stoker stayed in Whitby and used it as inspiration for parts of his novel.
• Atmosphere: Its eerie abbey ruins, seaside cliffs, and Victorian heritage provide the perfect backdrop for Gothic culture.
________________________________________
Travelling to Whitby
We’ve found the two best ways to travel to Whitby are:
1. By car via the North York Moors (A169): We park in the large car park behind the Whitby railway station. Again, it’s best to arrive early, as it fills up quickly on Goth weekends.
2. By car to Pickering (also via A169): We park at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) station and then take the NYMR steam train to Whitby. It’s an 18-mile journey through the Esk Valley, taking approximately two hours.
________________________________________
Photography
The camera I used was the Leica SL2 with the 90mm f/2 lens – my favourite. The photo of Fortune’s kipper shop was taken with the Leica M10 using a 135mm f/3.4 lens.
The photographs included with this text should give you a flavour of the Goth event. Hope you enjoy them.
© Dennis W Steel, 2025
Olivia
Amelia
Ava
Ivy
Lily
Willow
Derek
Two Faces
For Freshly Smoked Kippers
Comments
By David Askham: What an amazing set of pictures, Dennis. It is difficult to choose a favourite, but if I had to, "Two faces" (or should that be "Three faces") challenges your comprehension. Well done! How did you find time to have fish and chips?