A Day Out In Sandsend Village Near Whitby
A Day Out In Sandsend Village Near Whitby
Do you love to spend the day at the seaside?
Are you always looking for Family Friendly or Dog Friendly days out?
Read on for an in depth guide to spending the day in Sandsend.
Sandsend
Just 8 miles from Robin Hood's Bay you'll find the picturesque village of Sandsend. A firm favourite of ours Sandsend is very much the picture perfect, postcard village. Quaint cottages with picket fences, rose bushes, pretty little gardens. At either end of the village a stream runs through meeting the sea. Sandsend will leave you yearning to up sticks and relocate to the Yorkshire Coast. There isn't a thing about Sandsend that isn't idyllic. Facing out to sea you are met with 3 miles of sandy beach and behind a backdrop that is Mulgrave Woods.
Not just a firm favourite with us at Baytown Holiday Cottages. Sandsend is also favourite for many families, dog owners, walkers, surfers, foodies & summer time sun bathers.
For a small village Sandsend is by no means short of things to do. Once you know what there is to do it is quite easy to spend the whole day here. You may just find yourself wanting to come back to discover more.
Mulgrave Woods
Mulgrave Woods are very much working Woods. Home to Timber Works, they are also a breeding ground for game birds such as pheasant and grouse.
It is possible to see a range of wildlife & vegetation throughout the seasons. Woodland flowers, wild garlic and a variety of fungi to name a few. You may also be lucky enough to spot a deer or two and woodpeckers amongst others.
The woods are reasonably accessible to prams, wheelchairs or mobility scooters if you remain on the main track.
Mulgrave Woods are open to the public on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout the year apart from May when the woods are closed for the whole month.
Old Mulgrave Castle
Not to be mistaken for the new Castle, the occasional residence to the Marquis and Marchioness of Normanby. Old Mulgrave Castle ruins can be found in the heart of the woods. A great spot to visit it is usually peaceful and tranquil. The ruin sits in an opening with stunning views across the Mulgrave Estate towards the new Castle.
You will come across sections of uneven and steep inclines on this walk. The hill up towards the old Castle is very steep and to access the ruins you will need to climb a flight of stone steps.
Open Gardens
The new Castle is the private dwelling of the Normanby family, owners of the Mulgrave Estate. It is possible to get a glimpse of their stunning home and marvel at their wonderful walled garden on select dates in the Spring and Summer.
Well behaved dogs are welcome, and you will find refreshments for sale.
Sandsend Beach
With 3 miles of sandy beach to go at you can quite easily take a leisurely stroll barefoot down the foreshore.
If beach combing is your thing keep your eyes peeled as Sandsend can be a great spot to find sea glass. It’s possible to find clear, light blue, dark blue, turquoise, green, yellow, red and brown sea glass. Another favourite of ours is to search for heart shaped pebbles. A hobby that all started in Sandsend where we have found our best beach treasure.
You will also find rock pools and fossils depending on the tides and the scaurs peek out of the sand.
In the warmer months you will find quite often where the stream meets the beach little ones enjoy paddling here. A natural pool will sometimes form cut off from the sea making a safer place for small children to play in dinghy’s and to splash about under a watchful eye.
Sandsend is also popular with surfers too. If you are new to surfing, you may want to practice at the nearby Whitby Surf School before attempting the waves of Sandsend. It is also possible to hire kit from here too.
For the latest surf report and forecast click here.
A dog friendly beach and village there are beach restrictions during certain months, these are usually signposted so do keep an eye out for them. The beach restrictions are just a section of beach and not all of it where dogs can’t go so don’t be put off from bringing them.
The Old Railway Line
Long disused the railway line used to run along the coast from Whitby to Middlesbrough. All along the line and in the village of Sandsend you will see many reminders of the days when this track indeed carried Trains and passengers to the seaside.
The old station still stands, you will see platform ledges and at the far end you will come across the old tunnel. Boarded up now you can’t walk through the tunnel anymore. You can continue up and around the entrance of the tunnel to the fields above as the old line forms part of The Cleveland Way. There is talk that the disused tunnels will be opened up again and made safe as part of the coast's walking trails.
It is also possible to see lots of wildlife and an array of vegetation throughout the year from flowers, pheasants, wild garlic, heather, butterflies, slow-worms and so much more.
You will find access down to the bay below at the far end of the line before the tunnel. This descent is not for the faint hearted and you will have to climb down a ladder at the bottom to reach the rocky foreshore.
Geocache
Sandsend is also a fantastic spot for geocaching and you don’t need a GPS device to do this just download the geocache app onto your phone.
You can find out more about the geocache trails and what to do here.
Don’t forget to take something with you to put in the geocache box and you can take something away with you. Help little trinkets make their way around the different geocache trails.
Food & Drink
Grab an ice-cream, a good cup of coffee, a pint of ale or a glass of wine. Indulge with a pub lunch, homemade cakes, stone baked Pizza or Fish & Chips. If you’re really pushing the boat out you can fine dine in the evening.
For Quick Drinks & Snacks:
There are a number of Takeaway options at Sandsend. Operating seasonally and when weather is permitting:
For Cake, Coffee, Tea, Hot Chocolate, Snacks, Light Lunches & Ice-Cream:
Pub Lunches & Evening Meals:
Fine Dining Options:
Parking is available along the road on either side coming from Whitby. You will find parking spaces and at the far end of the village just below Lythe Bank you will find quite a large car park. You will be required to pay at the meter.
The Mulgrave Estate also offers paid overflow parking seasonally.
During the winter months from 1st November through to the end of February parking is usually free. For the latest parking information please check Scarborough Borough Councils Website.
Public Facilities
You will find public toilets at either end of Sandsend however, please be aware they are quite basic and do not have child changing facilities or designated disabled toilets.
Where To Stay
Just 7 miles from Whitby and 8 miles from Sandsend you will find Robin Hood’s Bay. A picturesque village full of coastal charm. Stacked up houses, red pantile rooftops, a stunning bay filled full of rockpools and fossils. Cobbled Alleyways, little tearooms, small independent shops, traditional pubs and local seafood. Very dog friendly Robin Hood’s Bay is the perfect stay. Great to explore and a wonderful place to start making holiday memories.
Here at Baytown Holiday Cottages Sam and Sian offer a collection of self catering holiday homes. Our collection can accommodate parties from 2 up to 10 including the dog(s). Discover your perfect coastal holiday home today.
