Property Spotlight: Whitby

Church Street, Whitby

A few weeks ago, we shared a Property Spotlight post about one of our favourite little coastal areas, North Norfolk. Another of our favourite little coastal areas is North Yorkshire – Whitby in particular.

Map of the UK highlighting WhitbyWe’ve posted about the town before – we’ve spent long weekends there in the past; walking up to the Abbey and along the coastline, eating chips in the harbour and popping into quaint pubs for a pint or two.

When we’ve been in Whitby, we’ve often thought that we could happily move there. It gets very busy with tourists in the summer months and during the famous, twice-yearly Goth Weekend. Much of the residential property in the town centre – which is divided by the River Esk – is given over to short term rentals. That means that during the low season, it sadly becomes a ghost town – and not in a good way.

Here are three properties near the town centre that are currently on the market. The first is a tiny little bolt hole tucked away in the centre of the old town. The second is separated into two properties (one to live in and one to earn an income from) and located right on the harbour front. The third is a 6-bedroomed guest house in a pretty crescent with sea views, garden and spacious owners’ accommodation on the lower ground floor.

The Rockpool, Whitby

The Rockpool, Whitby

£199,950 – The Rockpool, Carrs Yard, Whitby

• Period cottage tucked away in the heart of the old town
• Beautifully presented with period features and coastal themed interiors
• 1 reception room with a fitted kitchen with integrated appliances
• 1 bedroom with bespoke cabinetry & a modern bathroom
• Currently a successful holiday let that is being sold fully furnished & with bookings

Church Street, Whitby

Church Street, Whitby

Church Street, Whitby

£365,000 – Church Street, Whitby

• Generous townhouse currently converted into two separate holiday lets
• Grade II listed
• Stunning views over the harbour
• Could be easily converted back into one residence
• Sold with ongoing bookings if desired as a business
• Ideal town centre location

5 East Crescent, Whitby

5 East Crescent, Whitby

£750,000 – 5 East Crescent, Whitby

• A substantial Victorian townhouse offered as a well established guest house
• Prominently situated on Whitby’s East Crescent
• Beautiful sea views
• Private owners’ accommodation
• Large garden to the rear

A Yorkshire Post!

'A Yorkshire Post!' blog post banner

Ribblehead ViaductRibblehead Viaduct | Image credit: Andrew

In association with Yorkshire Water, we’ll be extolling the virtues of the fabulous county where we live & work in this post.

Malham Cove in the Yorkshire DalesMalham Cove, Yorkshire Dales | Image credit: Alison Christine

The diversity of the landscape is amazing – beautiful farmland scenery, rugged mountains & moors, pretty woodland, meandering rivers & dramatic sea coasts – it has it all.

Flamborough Head LighthouseFlamborough Head Lighthouse | Image credit: Mike Elleray

The county has three national parks either wholly or partially within its borders, which is quite something. This stunning scenery was a major factor in Yorkshire being chosen for the Grand Départ for this year”s Tour de France. The enthusiasm of the population & amazing spectator numbers would follow later.

Dry stone wall in MalhamDry stone wall, Malham | Image credit: Paul Stephenson

The man-made additions can make a wonderful impact on the landscape – just look at the stunning Ribblehead Viaduct which we featured as our main photo – or the classic dry stone walls which snake for thousands of miles across the countryside.

view over Scarborough taken from the castleview over Scarborough from the castle | Image credit: Dave Kilroy

There’s amazing architecture both old & new – from ancient castles like the coastal fortress at Scarborough to spectacular abbeys like Rievaulx, Bolton & Fountains. Stately homes like Castle Howard – through to classic Georgian market towns & spas such as Richmond & Harrogate.

Workers' houses in SaltaireWorkers’ houses, Saltaire | Image credit: Tim Green

Victorian mill buildings & civic splendour of the 19th century – Saltaire immediately springs to mind!

Salt's Mill in SaltaireSalt’s Mill, Saltaire | Image credit: Tim Green

Relative to size, the number of listed buildings in industrial towns like Halifax & Huddersfield is amazing.

Twins l and ll by Jaume Plensa at Yorkshire Sculpture ParkTwins l and ll by Jaume Plensa, Yorkshire Sculpture Park | Image credit: Bryan Ledgard

Then right into the 21st century with places like Yorkshire Sculpture Park. Even the humble car park can grab your attention. This is the Charles Street car park in Sheffield, christened ‘the cheese grater’ by the locals (it’s been voted the 3rd coolest in the world don”t you know!).

Charles Street Car Park in Sheffield also known as the Cheese GraterCharles Street Car Park, Sheffield | Image credit: Duncan Harris

We have a choice of cities such as York, Leeds & Sheffield for a metropolitan buzz and shopping trips.

An extensive canal network, originally built to transport goods in the 18th & 19th century, criss-crosses the county. It now provides the perfect opportunity for boating holidays & tow path walks.

Five Rise Locks in BingleyFive Rise Locks, Bingley | Image credit: Allan Harris

It’s hard to pick favourite places when there’s so much on offer. Everyone who lives here or holidays in the area will have their own ideas.

Whitby Abbey at sunsetWhitby Abbey | Image credit: James Whitesmith

We love the Yorkshire Dales and the coast around Whitby. Malham is a great place to visit – with it’s stunning limestone scenery of streams, springs, caverns, gorges, clints & grykes – it’s a real life geography text book!

Winskill Stones in the Yorkshire DalesWinskill Stones, Yorkshire Dales | Image credit: Alison Christine

…and just mentioning Whitby makes us dream wistfully about a trip over there.

It’s a lovely drive from here – through Helmsley & Pickering, across the North York Moors – stopping for a sandwich & a cuppa at the Hole of Horcum – then dropping down through Sleights and into picturesque Whitby.

Whitby Harbour with the abbey on the hill in the distanceWhitby Harbour | Image credit: Matthew Hartley

We’d probably stay at the Old Dispensary. No doubt, there’d be walks on the beach or coastal path to Staithes or Robin Hood’s Bay. A mooch around the town maybe, fish & chips on the harbour at sunset. Perhaps a few drinks in the Black Horse pub – and a lazy breakfast with the newspapers the morning after. Bliss – the perfect weekend away.

Staithes Harbour looking out to seaStaithes Harbour looking out to sea | Image credit: PauliCarmody

We really enjoy a drive out somewhere – a day wandering around the local sights & shops – stopping for a coffee. We’re spoilt for choice really – places like Ripon, Ilkley, Harrogate, Skipton and Richmond all within reach. It brings to mind another favourite little trip – with flask of tea made, take the lovely drive over the moors through Oxenhope to Addingham (where you can pick up a snack for lunchtime if you  haven’t brought a packed lunch. Spend a couple of hours by the river at Bolton Abbey, then onto Ilkley or Skipton for the afternoon. Each has its own attractions depending on what you fancy that day – auction house, antiques centre, shops, park, boat trip on the canal, medieval castle, Betty’s Tea Rooms!

Stepping stones across the river at Bolton AbbeyStepping stones across the river at Bolton Abbey | Image credit: linearclassifier

And then there’s home of course – we can’t write a post about Yorkshire without highlighting our own little corner of the county. We live & work in the Calder Valley in West Yorkshire. We know the neighbouring towns of Todmorden & Hebden Bridge particularly well having lived in both.

Todmorden stone on entering the townTodmorden stone on entering the town centre

It’s Todmorden at the moment and we’re very happy here. It’s actually very easy to shop & socialise in both which is ideal. Two for the price of one! A ten minute drive or train hop between the two – or an hour’s walk along a lovely stretch of that canal we mentioned earlier – the perfect distance for a stroll with a well-deserved pub lunch at the other end!

Rochdale Canal at Hebden BridgeRochdale Canal at Hebden Bridge | Image credit: Phil King

There’s a lot going on here for relatively small towns. Interesting independent shops, markets, art galleries, restaurants & bars. Each town has a lovely, big park where they stage a wide variety of events. There are agricultural shows, vintage car rallies, beer & music festivals and spectacular fire work displays.

View of Hebden BridgeHebden Bridge | Image credit: Tim Green

We have beautiful countryside on our doorstep where we spend many hours walking with our dog, Fudge. The folk are friendly & helpful and there’s a strong will to give things a go – whether it be a new business or social endeavour. Just take Incredible Edible as the perfect example – a wonderful organisation aiming to provide access to good local food for all.

view overlooking TodmordenView of Todmorden nestled in the Calder valley

So, that’s our Yorkshire. In addition to sharing lots of lovely images, this post gives us the opportunity to highlight the importance of Yorkshire Water in all this.  It’s actually one of the county’s largest landowners and has given access to thousands of acres of their land for everyone to enjoy. Their Blueprint for Yorkshire details their achievements to date & plans for the next 25 years. Their work is essential, from providing our drinking water, to reducing flooding to protecting wildlife and the natural environment. Their activities affect residents & visitors alike and are vital for the well-being of this county.

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In the frame

'In the Frame' blog post banner

rolled up vintage Sunday Express poster

We bought these two vintage posters last week…

vintage 1960s Sunday Express bill poster illustrating 'Soccer'

detail from vintage Sunday Express newspaper stand poster illustrating 'Soccer'

…they’re news stand posters dating from the 1960s – and are quite rare survivors.

vintage Sunday Express news stand poster advertising staff writer & illustrator, Veronica Papworth

detail of vintage Sunday Express news stand poster advertising staff writer & illustrator, Veronica Papworth

The vast majority would be thrown away and replaced the following day without a thought… but someone decided to take these home.

original vintage 'Blackpool' travel poster

detail of original vintage 'Blackpool' travel poster

We’re accumulating lots of vintage posters at the moment.

framed original vintage 'Westworld' film poster

detail of original vintage 'Westworld' film poster

They’re perfect for filling the walls in our antiques centre pitch.

view of the H is for Home pitch showing various framed original vintage posters

view of the H is for Home antiques centre pitch showing various original vintage posters view of the H is for Home pitch in the antiques centre showing a framed vintage original 'Whitby' travel poster

view of the H is for Home pitch in the antiques centre showing various framed original vintage posers

Travel posters, advertising and film memorabilia.

original vintage 'Great Yarmouth' travel poster

detail from original vintage 'Great Yarmouth' travel poster

detail from original vintage 'Great Yarmouth' travel poster

We look out for bright colours and strong graphics & artwork – or favourite subjects.

detail of original vintage 'Carefree by Coach' travel poster

detail of original vintage 'Carefree by Coach' travel poster

detail from original vintage 'Coney Beach' travel poster

detail from original vintage 'Coney Beach' travel poster

Framing is quite expensive (particularly when the item is about 6 feet tall as in the case of this Rollerball film poster!)

Framed original vintage 1970s 'Rollerball' film poster

Framed vintage original 1970s 'Rollerball' film poster

Framed original vintage 1970s 'Rollerball' film poster

It’s well worth it for the end result though.

Framed original vintage 1970s 'Kes' film poster

We’re trying to be strict with ourselves, but the odd one or two have sneaked onto our walls at home – for a while at least!

vintage original 'Thomas Crown Affair' film poster

original vintage 'Barbarella' film poster

The majority will be on display and available to buy from Picture House Antiques in Todmorden.

framed original vintage 'Great Yarmouth' travel poster

detail of original vintage 'Great Yarmouth' travel poster

If any of them really take your fancy, we could look into getting them delivered.

framed original vintage 'Whitby' travel poster

detail of original vintage 'Whitby' travel poster

detail of original vintage 'Whitby' travel poster

We’re adding to the collection all the time – we’ll try to show any new acquisitions on our Flickr pages.

W is for… Whitby

'W is for... Whitby' banner

View of Whitby across the River Esk | H is for Home

We took a day trip to Whitby last week. It’s something we’ve been meaning to do for years – and it made for a really enjoyable change of scenery.

Seagull perched on an anchor, Whitby | H is for Home

Whitby is situated on the north east coast of England, lying where the River Esk reaches the North Sea.

sailboat in Whitby Harbour | H is for Home

It’s a picturesque old harbour town with some lovely buildings, cobbled streets and narrow alleyways…

Whitby alleyway | H is for Home Whitby alleyway | H is for Home

…there are dozens of small fishing boats & yachts moored in the estuary…

Lobster pots in the harbour at Whitby | H is for Home

…a beach and jetties…

Jetty in Whitby Harbour | H is for Home

…abbey ruins…

Abbey ruins, Whitby | H is for Home

…and an old parish church at the top of the steep hillside.

Parish church, Whitby | H is for Home

We arrived at about midday after the 2 hour drive and quickly set about exploring. The town is divided in two by the river – a swing bridge linking the two sides.

Swing bridge, Whitby | H is for Home

We couldn’t resist starting with the local charity shops – fairly slim pickings unfortunately – but we did pick up a beautiful, vintage Welsh Wool coat in one of them.

Vintage Welsh wool coat | H is for Home Vintage Welsh wool coat | H is for Home

We had fish & chips for lunch (of course!), having found a bench with suitably impressive views from which to savour them.

View across rooftops of Whitby | H is for Home

Fueled up for the afternoon, we set about further exploration.

Church Street, Whitby | H is for Home

Whitby Museum | H is for Home

There are countless jewellery shops, most of which specialise in the black mineraloid, jet – formed from fossilised wood – and found in the local sea cliffs & beaches.

Jewellery shop, Whitby | H is for Home

Whitby is very popular with tourists, so there’s no end of cafes etc.

Market Square, Whitby | H is for Home Ice cream stall at the bottom of 199 steps, Whitby | H is for Home

We stopped again for coffee & cake (well, this break was all about relaxation!). The weather was gorgeous and we sat outside listening to a busker playing the harp.

Busker playing the harp on Church Street, Whitby | H is for Home

We then wandered up the 199 steps to look at the abbey ruins and old church on East Cliff. More great views and very atmospheric.

199 steps, Whitby | H is for Home

Whitby is famous for its Dracula association. Bram Stoker stayed at the Royal Hotel which overlooks the harbour towards this East cliff where he wrote parts of his famous novel. You can really see what inspired him, imagining the scene on a misty winter evening in Victorian England.

Graveyard, Whitby | H is for Home

At the foot of the steps was a lovely cobbled street…

Henrietta Street, a cobbled street in Whitby | H is for Home

… on which was located Fortune’s, a great little kipper smoking house & shop…

Fortunes kipper shop & smokehouse, Whitby | H is for Home

… apparently it’s famous round these parts and had already sold out of kippers by the time we passed by.

Fortunes kipper shop & smokehouse window, Whitby | H is for Home

We found one interiors shop which was very much to our liking. The Stonehouse Emporium on Skinner Street which had a very eclectic mix of antiques, vintage & retro, clothing & jewellery… we bought this 1960s magazine rack.

Vintage magazine rack | H is for Home

That was our feet done for the day, so we headed back to the old part of town where we’d booked to stay for the night – The Shepherd’s Purse is a whole food deli, ladies clothes and gift shop – it also has chalet-style rooms arranged round one of the old yards.

Shepherds Purse hanging sign, Whitby | H is for Home

Virtually next door to the courtyard was the Black Horse pub. We had a really enjoyable evening in there eating fantastic local cheese & chutney – washed down with beer & red wine.

Black Horse pub, Whitby | H is for Home

The following morning we woke to wonderful weather again. We had a hearty, traditional full breakfast in Sander’s Yard (we didn’t score high marks for light, healthy eating on this trip) – then had a final wander round the old part of town… returning to buy kippers, before they’d sold out this time.

Whitby smoked kippers hanging up in Fortunes | H is for Home

Refreshed and rejuvenated, we headed home.

Seagull, Whitby | H is for Home