What to see and do in Saltburn by the Sea

This is the final post of my mini-series about a small stretch of coastline in North East England, focusing on Saltburn, Whitby and the stops on the North York Moors Railway.

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If you’re thinking about exploring the UK and wondering where to go, the North East coast of England is a fantastic place to visit. With long stretches of sandy beach, rolling moor, and a sense of stepping back into the past, there is lots here to see and do – and you don’t always need a car to enjoy it. For this last post, I’m focusing on Saltburn by the Sea, where I grew up.

Originally a small hamlet known for fishing, farming and smuggling, Saltburn flourished as a pretty seaside town with the investment of Sir Henry Pease during the mid 1800’s. Even now you can still see much of the original Victorian architecture.

Although Saltburn is a perfect tourist town, it doesn’t fall into the trap of selling lots of tourist tat. There are lots of nice bars and restaurants in and around the main square as well as boutique-y shops. It’s fairly easy to access by rail, too. The direct train from Darlington (which is on the East Coast main line) takes around forty minutes.

Take Saltburn Cliff Lift down to the beach

There are numerous ways to get down to the beach, however arguably the most fun is taking the Cliff Lift from Marine Parade. Constructed in 1884, this funicular railway uses water to move the two carriages up and down, and is the oldest cliff lift of this type operating in the UK.

It’s open daily during the summer and operates on a reduced schedule over the winter.

Walk along the beach, paddle in the sea, or surf – your choice!

Saltburn beach is a partially pebbly, partially sandy beach and if the tide is out, offers a good long walk along the coastline. From Saltburn you can walk to Marske by the Sea, and Redcar beyond that. If you find you’ve walked too far, there are bus and train routes that will bring you back to Saltburn.

Along the promenade of Saltburn beach you can rent a beach hut for the day or do some crazy golf. Of course, no trip to the seaside is complete without fish and chips, and there are plenty of options both along the promenade and in the town. The seagulls aren’t as scary here, unlike Whitby, but you do need to keep an eye out for your chips.

This recent Guardian article tipped Saltburn as the best place for surf. If you’d like to try your hand at riding the waves, you can get lessons and hire equipment from Saltburn Surf School.

Walk along Saltburn pier

Saltburn pier is a Grade 2 listed building and is open all year round for folks to walk along. Saltburn has some of the best sunsets I have ever seen – sometimes encompassing the entire rainbow – so if the conditions are right it’s worth taking a stroll just after sunset.

There’s also a very small amusement arcade in the pier building if you’re in need of a brief distraction, or if it’s raining.

Walk over the cliffs to Skinningrove

With the cliff (called Huntcliff, original I know) blocking the way, you might think you can’t explore the coastline to the east. However, if you follow the main road near the Ship Inn there’s a path that takes you up the cliffs and along to Skinningrove, passing marine-inspired sculptures along the way. Do take care near the edge of the cliffs though as they can crumble.

Interestingly, the Ship Inn was a hub for smuggling activities in the 18th and 19th century and is still standing today. It’s a good place to get a pint and watch the ocean.

There’s not a lot to do in Skinningrove but there is a lovely stretch of beach to walk along.

Take a ride into the valley gardens on Saltburn Miniature Railway

At the end of the promenade you’ll reach Skelton Beck, the river that flows into the sea. If you cross the road and follow the river you’ll reach a children’s playground and the start of the valley gardens.

Between May and October you can take a ride on the Saltburn Miniature Railway that runs about half a mile between the beach and the Forest Halt station. The railway first opened over 70 years ago in 1947 and has been running ever since. It’s a pleasant little journey and is a good opportunity to take a rest if you’ve been walking along the beach or you’re with little ones.

Whether or not you opt for the train, from Forest Halt station you can visit the immaculate Italian Gardens, the Valley Gardens Tea Rooms in case you’re a bit peckish from all that walking, as well as the Saltburn Valley Woodland Centre, which is great for kids. The route has been made accessible for prams and wheelchairs too.

You can then walk back up to the town, or further on through the woods to Saltburn Viaduct and beyond. It’s great to visit at any time of year, and you can’t get too lost.

If you missed my previous posts on Whitby or the North York Moors Railway you can find them here. Enjoy!