When we moved on from Leeds we decided we would stay out of the city and so chose a lovely self-contained cottage on a farm. I was really taken with all the animals, and this alpaca was so friendly; it could not have come closer!
Once again we used our accommodation as a base and went off in all directions. First we went to the sea. We started in Scarborough and were quite surprised at how big it was. It is said to be the first resort town established in England, and we spent a couple of hours exploring and I was delighted to find this little funicular railway from the beach to the hotel above which would have transported all those Victorian holidaymakers up and down. It is still in operation, and although we took the stairs, I did enjoy seeing it. Apparently it was the first funicular railway in Great Britain and was originally powered by sea-water using a tanks under the cars as a counterweight system. When one car goes down, the other goes up, so these two had just passed each other when I took the photo.
It was a hazy day and the water was millpond calm, giving the beach a lovely feel.
Scarborough has a strong boating and fishing tradition, so the wharf area is rather lovely.
Along with the Victorian holidaymakers came the impressive Victorian hotels. This one is slightly tatty now, but from a distance it still looks extremely grand.
Mark made me perch on this sea wall and the drop on the other side was rather terrifying. I included the photo because it made me laugh and because it shows the absolute calm sea. It seems incredible to me that the sea can actually breach this sea wall, it must get wild here in the winter.
I took this photo to prove that Doctor Who was in town!
From Scarborough we continued around the coast to Robin Hood’s Bay.
I have to say that I was immediately put in mind of all those Famous Five books I read as a child. I don’t know why, but something resonated. Maybe the landscape? Perhaps the fact that I could see smugglers hiding in all those little coves and traversing the secret tunnels that apparently run under some of the little cottages.
Robin Hood’s Bay is really delightful with little alleys, quaint cottages and amazing tea shops, which drew Mark like a magnet! Yes, he’s checking out the cakes.
Continuing round the coast we arrived in Whitby, which is a fishing port and a traditional seaside resort. Now the one thing I remember about Whitby from when I was a kid holidaying with my parents is the fish and chips and we had a recommendation for the best fish and chips from a woman in Robin Hood’s Bay.
Fish and chips were duly purchased and consumed by the water. When Mark took the scraps to the bin he was attacked by the seagulls. I’m happy to report that he beat them off and they didn’t get a thing – although Mark did get a little nip on the finger, but it didn’t break the skin so all was well.
The town has managed to retain much of its charm and 18th century character, and it has lots of alleys and narrow streets.
Looking across the river to the top of the hill are the ruins of Whitby Abbey, which must have been very beautiful once.
Whitby was also home to Captain James Cook and this memorial has plaques donated by Australia, New Zealand and Canada, attesting to his seamanship and exploration skills.
I hadn’t realised that Bram Stoker wrote Dracula whilst holidaying in Whitby, and there are plenty of establishments cashing in on the nostalgia!
As we turned our heads for home we passed through Goathland, which has a starring role in Harry Potter as the Hogsmeade train station, although I’m sure they found better angles for the films.
I was delighted to see (and hear) a passing steam engine.
Goathland also stars as the village Aidensfield in the British TV series “Heartbeat”, which I noticed is still on TV here. I think every British series ever made is still on TV here!
As mentioned at the beginning of the post we stayed on a farm, which was very close to a town called Pickering. I was delighted to see horse drawn transport still being used here!
A quick note about what I wore: jeans from a pattern made for me by Workspace Fashion and Design School, a self drafted merino top, Paper Theory LB Pullover, raincoat drafted for me by Workspace Fashion and Design school, and rainhat from Angel Lea Escape Men’s hat pattern. All hidden clothing was made by me too!
I love this post. Makes me very wistful. Although I’ve never been to Scarborough or Whitby, relatives used to holiday there and as a great fan of Dracula I have always wanted to visit Whitby. It’s on my list for next UK trip. Although the British seaside is not the prettiest, as a seafaring nation it presents so much history and culture that you can feel it’s energy in those towns and ports.
Oh yes, if you like Dracula, it is the place for you, but they have commercialised it too much. I agree about the history at the seaside here, everywhere you go, there is something. Australia has beautiful beaches, which are really lovely to visit, but they are bland compared with what’s here.
Love seeing your travel posts – thanks for sharing your adventures!!
It is my absolute pleasure, thank you for reading!
More great places and stories. Glad you picked up on the Adenfield link… Holly was obsessed with Heartbeat and she did a presentation on it at Primary School after her visit. I didn’t know it was still on TV! Shame you didn’t get to Haworth and the Railway Children.
So… where are you off to next? I’m hoping you get to Alnwick (BarterBooks?), Alnmouth, Lindisfarne and maybe Hadrian’s Wall? You’re getting closer. 😊
Oh, I didn’t know about Haworth! Definitely going to Alnwick, and Hadrian’s Wall is today! I think we will definitely be with you by the 6th. So excited!
What a lovely post. Sounds like your having a great time. In Whitby the have Steam punk weekends, which are very popular. It’s great to go and see their spectacular outfits,
Ooh, I love steam punk! Shame I can’t do everything!
Another fascinating instalment! The Whitby Abbey ruins look amazing – Dracula is one of my favourite books and have always fancied going there…! I’m going to have to pull my finger out!
Yes, you need to get there! Lots of other reasons to go too, of course!
But but but…… Did you go to Scarborough Fair????
Gah! No! I didn’t think about it. We sang the song though…
As have I since I read your awesome blog post🎶
I’m enjoying a vicarious vacation with your travelogue – keep on going!
Thank you so much Melody, I love writing these posts so I’m glad that people enjoy reading them!
These landscapes are the most beautiful I have seen. Aren’t you getting tired by so much beauty? I am not, for sure! Glad that Mark didn’t lose a finger! Seagulls seemed more terrifying than Dracula in that place.
We get a bit blasé about the beauty and then turn a corner and see something heartstopping! Seagulls are huge and really nasty!
I was last in Whitby for the Goth weekend (not participating, taking photos!). David was in Pickering last year for their 40s weekend (I had just broken foot so didn’t go) – with photography club. We had considered participating more this year by going in costume but I don’t think that’s going to happen. This weekend we’re going to Saltburn and Robin Hood’s Bay – again with photography club. With all the beauty surely I’ll manage a decent photo? There is so much beauty around.
I remember on holiday once watching Scarborough being battered by lightning and waves (I was in cliff top accommodation a few miles away). Yes, it can be wild.
I’m enjoying catching up on your posts
This all sounds lovely, and I’m envious that you’re going to Robin Hood’s bay – it was so, so pretty. Enjoy!