Goodbye York and hello Saltburn-by-the-sea! This stunning little sea resort is just a short train ride from York, getting out of the train you smell & taste the salty air and instant relaxation will set in!
I arrived right in time for a little heatwave and spend the day exploring the endless beach and having my first swim! So refreshing!
Saltburn by the Sea
Saltburn’s original settlement at the North Yorkshire coast was just a couple of houses and the Ship Inn where the smugglers and the local fishermen met.
In the 19th century, the Pease family developed Middlesbrough as an industrial centre and after finding ironstone the Stockton & Darlington Railway and the West Hartlepool Harbour and Railway Company developed routes. By 1861 the railway reached Saltburn.
In 1858, while walking along the coast path towards Old Saltburn to visit his brother Joseph in Marske, Henry Pease saw a prophetic vision of a town arising on the cliff and the quiet, unfrequented and sheltered glen turned into a lovely garden. The Pease family owned Middlesbrough Estate and had control of the S&DR, and agreed to develop Henry’s vision by forming the Saltburn Improvement Company (SIC).
Land was purchased from the Earl of Zetland, and the company commissioned surveyor George Dickinson to lay out what became an interpretation of a gridiron street layout, detracted from by the railway which ran through the site. With as many houses as possible having sea views, the layout was added to by the so-called Jewel streets along the seafront—Coral, Garnet, Ruby, Emerald, Pearl, Diamond and Amber Streets, said to be a legacy of Henry’s vision. (Wikipedia)
My lovely B&B was in Emerald Street and had the best view of the sea from the balcony.
The Saltburn Cliff Lift is one of the oldest water-powered funiculars worldwide – it was built to bring people down (and up) the very steep cliffs to promenade (opened in 1869).
Pearse developed Saltburn by the sea as a mixture of a seaside resort, trading place and housing for his workers.
Today Saltburn still is a lovely resort and not as busy as Whitby or Scarborough. It was quite hot during my stay but I always found a nice empty spot on the endless beach.
The city has some lovely independent shops and café houses.
The view down “my” street – Emerald Street. I stayed in an amazing B&B with Ruth and her trusty four-legged companion Ralph who had won my heart within seconds! Ralph is the friendliest spaniel and will keep you company during breakfast or whenever you want him to!
