Balding_Bon_Viveur
December 2010
Bishop cottage is a new build mews type accomodation, built on the site of what was once the pit ponies stables. When we stayed there in December 2010, only half the complex was finished, but the surroundings were well kept and presentable.
The cottage is well furnished, very well heated, and compact. There are nice touches in terms of the furnishings. The property though misses perhaps more seating in the living room, a window in the kitchen, and a safe enclosed garden outdoors for pets and children, all fairly minor admittedly.
In terms of location a car is quite frankly an essential, the closest pub wasnt the most presentable, and albeit we visited over Christmas the fish and chip shop was closed, as was the ironstone mining museum. We of course booked self catering but were disappointed with the eating options therefore within walking distance, eating in most nights (there are supermarkets in Saltburn, Staithes, Loftus and Whitby) and enjoying the local fish and chips at lunchtime in Whitby generally!
Skinningrove is an honest if unpicturesque former mining town, and that was the main source of its income till the sixties, so dont expect a Staithes, or a Robin hoods bay, the town just doesnt play to its locational strengths in those senses, at times walking around it we did wonder if we were by the seaside or in a durham mining town!
it does though have easy access to some beautiful walking to both staithes and Saltburn (both a good couple of hours) Should the venture of the cottage complex take off then Skinningroves location is surely its strongpoint, but some kind of not even touristy but basic facilities are crying out to be built (a seafront cafe, a rehash of the towns only pub)
In summary a nice cottage, but locationally with limitations if one expects evening entertainment.