Just a stone’s throw from the cobbles of bustling Church Street, this 400-year-old house is perfect for a family or group getaway. Hidden from the crowds along one of the old town's pretty yards it’s a property full of period features, panelled walls, leaded windows, exposed beams and feature fireplaces among them. All the main holiday attractions are a stroll from the doorstep, though you might want to brace yourself for the 199-step climb up to the gothic Abbey ruins that stand on the iconic headland. Once there you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of the town, its busy harbour, beach and the sea beyond. If the walk has worked up an appetite, Whitby’s well known for its fish and chips, but the town has more than its fair share of fine food restaurants, tea rooms and fashionable bars too, plus friendly pubs and shops for souvenir-hunters to enjoy. For those who want to adventure further afield, the town sits on the coastal edge of the North York Moors National Park. Discover it in traditional style with a trip on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway – trains run from Whitby to Pickering 23 miles in the south, with stops en route including Goathland, also known as ‘Aidensfield’ in the TV series Heartbeat and ‘Hogsmeade Station’ in the first Harry Potter film.
The charm of Whitby’s old town is echoed within the walls of this four-storey property, with evidence everywhere of its 1620s origins. Dip your head as you step through the front entrance and onto the quarry-tiled floor of the hall where there’s room to hang coats and access to a kitchen/dining room that will take your breath away. A beautiful inglenook fireplace with wood burner vies for attention with the large mullioned and leaded windows, while a striking range cooker sits beneath feature tiles that depict the whalebone arch erected on West Cliff in 1853. A striking island unit separates the kitchen area from the dining suite, around which up to eight people can eat in comfort, an old pine settle offers additional seating. All the home-from-home essentials are provided in the kitchen, and close by a utility room has more, including a washer/dryer, dishwasher and freezer. Stairs lead upwards to a large landing area complete with alleyway views, and on to an elegant living room where there’s stunning panelling on every wall, an ornamental fireplace and a simply gorgeous selection of sofas and armchairs to sink into. Leaded windows and wall lights cast a warm glow over all that happens here; for entertainment you need look no further than the Smart TV/DVD, board games and books provided. The first of three bedrooms is on this floor too – decorated in neutral colours, it has twin beds and an exposed brick fireplace that’s no longer in use. Above, on the second floor you’ll find a black and white tiled bathroom flooded with natural light and complete with claw-footed bath. The master bedroom on this floor is huge, with a super-king-size bed, walk-in wardrobe and window seat, plus an en-suite shower room tiled in contemporary black and white. Panelling beside the staircase between the second and third floors evokes, once again, the past life of the house, and there’s even more structural evidence of its age on the highest level, where the landing leads into a single bedroom with a king-size bedroom adjoining. Head height in these rooms is limited, but they’re lovely and light courtesy of a skylight in each, their ancient wooden beams complemented by exposed stone and brickwork.
There’s no garden at this ancient town centre abode, but just the shortest of strolls away, at the end of Church Street is pretty Tate Hill beach, a sandy sanctuary sheltered by the harbour wall. At the top of East Cliff, by the Abbey and beautiful St Mary’s Church there’s plenty of green space for walks and picnics, plus breathtaking views of the Heritage Coastline.