When you think of winter weekend getaways, the British seaside might not be the first place that springs to mind.
However there’s a charming seaside town that has plenty to offer all through the year – Saltburn-by-the-Sea in North Yorkshire.
This quiet seaside town is known just as Saltburn – which recently made headlines due to the popular psychological thriller film of the same name which came out last year.
It’s not just worth visiting in the hopes of bumping into a Jacob Elordi type however – Saltburn is a stunning town with plenty to offer, and in winter many of the crowds have disappeared making it a peaceful getaway.
The town is perched on cliffs above its golden sandy beach and overlooks the North Sea, making it a picturesque spot perfect for photographs or taking a leisurely stroll.
It’s famed for its Victorian charm and its unique way of getting to the beach, as the Saltburn Cliff Lift was first built in 1884 and consists of two water-powdered carriages which run and down the cliffs between the town and the beach.
The lift is gorgeous to look at, and practical too as it cuts the time between town and beach in half.
It is also the oldest water-powered funicular railway in the world, and gives breathtaking views of the surrounding areas.
There’s plenty to see at Saltburn and one of its most unique locations is the Saltburn Miniature Railway which runs from the beach along a woodland valley and is the perfect way to take in the town’s natural beauty and sights.
The Valley Gardens is one of the best places for a picnic or some leisure time, with its beautiful gardens and ornamental ponds – it even has a tea room for a cosy cuppa after you’ve explored enough.
Every second Saturday, the local farmer’s market opens its doors, selling everything from local crafts and artwork to tasty local produce.
But remember to plan your visit to Saltburn in advance, as the town hosts a number of fun festivals throughout the year, including a Food Festival, Arts Festival, Folk and Music Festivals, and even a Surf Festival and Beer Festival.
If you fancy a winter trip to Saltburn, you could check out the Ice Trail which will kick off on December 7.
Renowned ice sculptors Sand in Your Eye will create nine amazing ice sculptures around the theme of pantomime across Saltburn, creating a wonderful one-day trail for families to explore.
Each sculpture will reveal a secret that you’ll need to find to complete the trail competition. There will be a live ice carve, and a workshop with its very own ice post box, where the elves will help you and your little ones write and post your letters to Santa.
The day runs from 10am to 4pm but be sure to get down as early as you can, especially if the weather is nice because if the sun shines, those sculptures will melt.