Where to stay: Book a fisherman’s cottage at Runswick Bay Cottages, which has various stays, including sweet cottages for two. I like Castle House, atop the cliffside, directly facing the bay, the windows open onto vast, dreamlike seascapes. Inside, there’s a Farrow & Ball nautical-colour palette, high-end furnishings and an Aga. It can sleep up to six people, but find me on the outdoor terrace with soulful views of the fizzy bay.
Sandsend Beach
Best for: Yorkshire’s Hamptons
Sandsend just lures you in – it’s always a bit mystical and reminds me of a scene from a Hayao Miyazaki animation; the long winding roads to the precious, sleepy sandy stretch. It’s the next beach to popular Whitby, which you can spy, it’s the big-hitting beach spot, yet I prefer Sandsend – it’s quietly confident, butter-toned shores are more reviving to me, with fewer visitors. There aren’t many flashy attractions, which is exactly why it’s superb. But there are breathtaking clifftop coastal walks, precious family beach trips, a gentle inlet and beachcombing for children, access to the North York Moors National Park and tasty fish and chips care of The Fish Cottage.
Where to stay: Saltmoore is the place to book without a doubt – Sandsend’s prime retreat is a super-stylish culinary and spa stay with two Michelin Keys. It is wrapped in beautiful woodland nature – spot the shy deer – and is a five-minute walk to the beach. The spa facilities here are next-level, set aside a day at least and the kitchens are helmed by chef Adam Maddock. Make sure to book a table at Brasserie and the new pizzeria, Pizzeria at The Beach House, if with the brood. I like the beachy blues of The Beach House Suite (sleeps two adults, two children) with easy access to the children’s pool, opening in June, and for adults-only, I love Classic Friends in Saltmoore House (sleeps four adults). For longer stays, East Hampton is gorgeous, a Hamptons-inspired rental for six in the woodland on the Saltmoore estate.
