RURAL HOTSPOT

R U R A L H O T S P O T

There’s something magical about this little seaside town

LET’S MOVE TO Whitby

A WINDSWEPT OUTPOST BRIMMING WITH CHARACTER AND WILD COASTAL WALKS

Whitby is pretty. This unspoilt former herring fishing village at the mouth of the River Esk has redroofed cottages to the east, Georgian spa architecture to the west, and a smartly painted 75ft swing bridge connecting the two. There are lighthouses, lamp posts and bobbing boats, surrounded by the wild North York Moors National Park on three sides, while the North Sea is lapping – or more often crashing – at the harbour walls. But there is also an intriguingly darker seam to explore – quite literally, in the form of jet stone, formed from the fossilised remains of the monkey puzzle tree and mined from the cliffs here. Plus, Whitby is where Bram Stoker set his Gothic novel Dracula.

IN THE ESTATE AGENT’S

WINDOW In Whitby, even the property market has its quirks. As estate agent Lindsey Shaw explains: ‘Due to the higgledy-piggledy nature of the cottages in the old town, there is often a “flying freehold” situation – a bedroom in one abode might be directly above the sitting room of another.’ This can cause problems with mortgage lenders unused to that. ‘So you’ll need an agent with good local insight!’ she says. Prices range from £500,000 for a three-bed property in West Cliff, to £310,000 for a new-build in Bagdale or cheaper terraces in Fishburn.

BUTCHERS, FISHMONGERS &

ART With seafood in good supply, it’s no surprise there are excellent wet fish shops, with fresh crab and lobster by the bucket load, and top notch fish and chips, too – Magpie is highly rated by Rick Stein, though locals love Mister Chips. To feed your soul, there are galleries galore. Jet jewellery shops are also prolific. COUNTRY LIFE & CULTURE The Edwardian Pannett Park Museum houses curios ranging from a huge fossilised ichthyosaurus to tiny jet carvings – it’s a ‘superb place for a rainy day,’ says one local. The ruins of Whitby Abbey are a wonderfully atmospheric spot – and predictably popular with Stoker fans, who arrive in their thousands for the town’s Goth Weekend festival in November. SCHOOLS There are no less than five primaries to serve the 13,000odd population. St Hilda’s, Stakesby Community, West Cliff, Airy Hill and East Whitby Community are all ‘good’. So too is the secondary and sixth form Caedmon College. GET AROUND A secluded setting is part of Whitby’s charm, yet it’s only half an hour to Scarborough or an hour to York. IN THE AREA For surfing, head to small sandy beach Sandsend. Or amble the Cinder Track, a 21-mile disused railway route, stopping at the Ravenscar Tearooms.

D r e a m h o m e s i n W h i t b y

TOP TIP In Whitby’s sought-after West Cliff is this spacious one-bedroom apartment in a Victorian terrace. There are original features and views to the sea for £139,950. MOOR PLEASE

Dating back to the 17th century, this three-bed stone farmhouse, known as the Hermitage, has views across moorland. Offers over £525,000. VALLEY VIEWS

This contemporary threebed property is set in an elevated position in Briggswath. Renewable tech and energy efficiencies abound for £565,000.