The Dark Symposium hosts dark tourism talk at Bodmin Jail

Dr Natalie Semley, senior lecturer in tourism at Falmouth University, said:

“The interesting and exciting potential of creating a ‘dark narrative’ for Cornwall is that it can be about telling the story of our place authentically, ethically, and with care for our communities. Dark tourism can provide businesses with an opportunity to differentiate themselves in the market, and for Cornwall to diversify their offer because these types of visitors are not primarily motivated by sun, sea and sand.  They are seeking out education, understanding, and experiences.

Attendees were treated to rich, evocative tales of Cornwall’s Gothic past from Dr Joan Passey, an expert in Cornish Gothic literature and a former student of Falmouth University. She highlighted how Cornwall has long been associated with eerie landscapes and strange tales in the works of Victorian authors, while Victorian-era travel writing cast the county as an isolated and mysterious land.

These stories weren’t just fanciful. They were a reflection of the late arrival of the railway, and Cornwall’s position as a place apart from the rest of Britain – but they weren’t stories owned or created by the Cornish.

"Gothic narratives are not just about providing a scary thrill to tourists" Dr Passey noted. "They are part of Cornwall’s identity, a lens through which we can examine history, and an opportunity to tell a story differently."

Dark tourism can be compelling and rewarding for hosts and tourists. Tapping into human curiosity, inviting visitors to explore places associated with death, disaster, and the macabre. Yet, as the event made clear, dark tourism must be handled with care.

Given the sensitivities, the importance of storytelling as tool for reinvention was highlighted.