It doesn’t get much more bucolic than this charming stone cottage near Sandsend beach. Set within acres and acres of private estate, you’ll find this country bolthole in a row of terracotta-roofed cottages dappled with ivy. Towering trees and manicured gardens surround the spot for a bit of away-from-it-all feeling. Yet, a fifteen-minute walk sees you at Sandsend beach where a coastal stroll has you in the centre of Whitby in forty minutes (subject to tides). Here you’ll find myriad seafood restaurants, traditional fish and chip shops and beachside (and literary) attractions. If you want to stick closer to home, the estate’s grand hotel has an exceptional restaurant, a five-minute stroll away. Inside the cottage, you’ll find a striking sage-green living room that feels distinctly modern, despite the idyllic facade. It continues into the surprisingly spacious kitchen where you’ll find everything you need for self-catering. Out the back, you’ve got your own little patio for an alfresco tipple in the summer breeze to the sound of a babbling stream.

Home truths:
*Both bedrooms are upstairs so this place may not be suitable for those with limited mobility
*There is a restaurant within easy walking distance, but the nearest shop is over a mile away so a car is recommended
*There is space to park a car at the cottage
*Pets are welcome but let your host know before booking