Pannett Park: The Hand of Glory
Dates
October 20, 2026
Doors
Early evening
Where
Whitby Museum
Tickets from
£29.00
Inside the venue
Gallery
Instant e-ticket
In your inbox the moment you pay
Secure checkout
Encrypted card payment
Guide-supervised
Every vigil led by experienced staff
Date changes
Move night up to 48 hours before*
About this
Event Description
See a genuine preserved Hand of Glory artefact on a horror trail through Whitby Museum, then enjoy a Dracula-themed evening market and gothic live music. 4pm–midnight, 20 Oct–1 Nov 2026.
- Format: A live-action horror trail through Whitby Museum built around a genuine preserved Hand of Glory artefact, then a Dracula-themed evening market and gothic live music.
- The museum displays a real historical artefact incorporating human remains, handled respectfully and clearly signposted. A theatrical horror trail rather than a paranormal investigation.
- No contact: Performers will not make physical contact with guests; please don’t touch performers, fixtures or historic fabric.
- Supervision & age: All ages welcome; under-18s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times, given uneven ground and low lighting.
- Optional: Your ticket covers the whole evening — only the timed headline experience needs a booked slot, so you can enjoy the festival, market and food areas without it.
Whitby Museum holds one of Britain’s strangest genuine artefacts: a real preserved “Hand of Glory,” a mummified hand once believed by folklore to grant supernatural powers to grave robbers. This Halloween, the museum’s Victorian curiosity galleries open after dark for a live-action horror trail through Pannett Park’s gardens — while the wider park hosts a full Dracula-themed evening market, gothic live music, and fireside storytelling, tying together Whitby’s genuine Bram Stoker connections with its real regional folklore.
Why you should book this
The Hand of Glory is a real, one-of-a-kind artefact — not a prop — and Whitby’s genuine Dracula connections make this the most authentically Gothic setting in the pack. With live music echoing the town’s famous Goth Weekend and a full evening market, this event captures Whitby’s unique character better than any other on the list.
What you’ll experience
- The Hand of Glory trail — the timed headline horror experience through the museum’s curiosity galleries and a lantern-lit walk through Pannett Park gardens
- Dracula-Themed Evening Market — Gothic-styled stalls selling crafts, books, and Whitby jet jewellery throughout the park
- Gothic Live Music Stage — local goth and folk acts performing in the park from 6pm, echoing Whitby’s famous Goth Weekend heritage
- Fireside Folklore Storytelling — a storyteller shares genuine Whitby and North Yorkshire coast folklore around a fire pit every 30 minutes
- Bram Stoker Trail Talk — a short talk connecting the real history of Whitby to Stoker’s writing of Dracula, held twice nightly
Evening schedule
| Time | What’s on |
|---|---|
| 4:00pm | Park opens — evening market and fire pit live 4:30pm–9:00pm Fireside Folklore Storytelling, every 30 minutes |
| 5:00pm–9:30pm | Hand of Glory trail departs every 15 minutes |
| 6:00pm | Gothic Live Music Stage begins |
| 7:00pm, 9pm Bram Stoker Trail Talk | |
| 9:30pm | Last entry to the trail |
| 11:30pm | Market last orders |
| 12:00am | Park closes |
Before you visit
🚗 Getting there & parking
By car: Free on-site car park at Pannett Park — about a 3-minute walk from the car park to the museum entrance. By train: Whitby Station is a 10-minute walk to Pannett Park.
🕐 Entry & times
Daily 4:00pm–12:00am, 20 Oct–1 Nov 2026. A valid ticket for your chosen date admits you to the whole evening; the timed headline experience needs its booked slot. Arrive a little before your slot — late arrivals are accommodated in a later slot subject to availability.
⚠ Code of conduct
Prohibited at all events: real or imitation weapons, full-face masks that prevent ID checks, and glass containers. Costumes are welcome within those limits. Security searches may be carried out on entry. Abusive or threatening behaviour, or failure to follow venue instructions, means removal without a refund.
Content note: Outdoor park paths (uneven in places), genuine human remains on display (handled respectfully, clearly signposted in advance so visitors can choose to skip that section if they prefer). One indoor jump-scare. Good for: Gothic/Dracula fans · Museum lovers · Visitors wanting something genuinely unique to Whitby · Anyone wanting a full evening market experience
Getting there
Where
Venue
Whitby Museum
Please allow extra travel time — several of our venues are rural, with limited public transport. Parking details are on your ticket.
Event dates
October 20, 2026
Before you book
Good to know
Age policy varies by tier — check the ticket option you pick. Photo ID may be requested for age-restricted tiers.
Genuine historic buildings. Expect uneven floors and, at some venues, steep stairs and limited step-free access.
Bring a torch, warm layers and flat, sensible shoes. Venues are cold and dark.
No physical contact takes place. All vigils are guide-supervised and every activity is optional.
Still deciding
Questions
Is anything staged?
No. Nothing is staged and no outcome is ever promised. Genuine historic buildings, investigated with structured vigils and traditional techniques.
What happens after I pay?
Your e-ticket is emailed straight away, with a unique QR code per guest. Save it as PDF, add to Apple or Google Wallet, or resend from My Account.
Which ticket should I choose?
Twilight for families, Standard for the full after-dark tour, Premium for a small-group vigil with equipment, VIP for the extended late session on 31 October.
Can I change my date?
Yes, up to 48 hours before, subject to availability on the night you move to.
Do I need experience?
None at all. Guides run every session and stay with your group the whole time.
Book your experience
- Instant e-ticket by email, QR per guest
- Secure card checkout — total confirmed at checkout
- Every activity on the night is optional
£29.00
Early Bird — 20% off