A Guide to Dark Attractions in the UK author Leon McAnally highlights historic attractions in Bury St Edmunds
An author who grew up in Bury St Edmunds is encouraging history lovers to seek out dark tourist destinations in Suffolk.
Leon McAnally, who went to King Edward VI School in the town, said he could have never have dreamed of writing a book when he was younger because he is dyslexic.
The 29-year-old, who now lives in Northampton, first heard of dark tourism while studying at West Suffolk College, with his historic hometown inspiring him to look into it further.
Leon, who also works as a care home activities coordinator, said: “This book is quite an achievement for me and the whole process has motivated me .
“When I was at school I would have laughed if someone had suggested I would write a book one day.
“I was undoubtedly influenced by history from a young age, learning about the story of St Edmund and the gruesome Tudor period of King Henry VIII.”
Defining dark tourism, Leon said: “It is historical sites and places associated with death, suffering and tragedy, whether these are place where violence and killings have taken place or where man-made disasters have happened.”
Leon features 300 dark tourist locations in his book including Colchester Castle and the Kelvedon Hatch secret nuclear bunker in Essex.
His book, A Guide To Dark Attractions in the UK, is available to buy on Amazon and he is keen to set up some book signings in Suffolk.
Encouraging people to take an interest in local history, Leon suggested two dark tourist spots of note in Bury St Edmunds.
These are the Abbey Gate where monks died during a riot in 1327, and the nearby Victorian graveyard within the grounds of the Abbey Gardens.
Leon said: “Victorians remembered their dead differently and mourned differently to how we do today, as we now see a funeral as a celebration of life, whereas back then it was about status in life.”
Anyone interested in finding out more about A Guide to Dark Attractions in the UK can visit an accompanying Facebook page here:
