Quiet UK seaside town with a vintage tramway and a magical ice trail
- UK Hidden Gems
- 36 minutes ago
- 3 min read
There is something wonderfully cosy and magical about visiting a seaside town in winter, especially at Christmas.
If you are searching for the perfect festive getaway, you might want to look at this lesser known coastal town that has a lovely Victorian feel and hosts a range of Yuletide events.
This hidden gem sits on a cliff along the North Yorkshire coast, overlooking a wide stretch of sand and shingle and the lively North Sea.
The Victorians turned this beautiful beach into a seaside destination, and much of what they built still stands today, giving the town its charming old fashioned character.
One brilliant Victorian creation that still runs today is the Saltburn Cliff Tramway. This funicular railway carries passengers up the steep cliff from the promenade to the town for just £2 each way.
The short ride takes place in one of the original Victorian carriages, where you can look out through stained glass trimmed windows and admire the sea views.
At the bottom of the tramway, you step straight onto Saltburn Pier, another Victorian structure that stretches 200 metres into the North Sea.
Here you can enjoy a refreshing winter walk along the pier and breathe in the salty air. There is also a long promenade for walking or cycling, lined with fish and chip shops, retro cafes and colourful beach huts.
Saltburn is also a favourite spot for surfers. You can hire a board and wetsuit from the local surf shop or book a lesson to make the most of the waves, which roll in throughout the year.
If you visit in December, you can enjoy the town’s festive celebrations. A highlight is the Saltburn Ice Trail on December 13.
This year, the event has a pantomime theme, with impressive ice sculptures placed around the town for visitors to find.
There will be a live ice carving display and an ice post box where children can post their letters to Santa, along with street performers to add to the Christmas spirit.
Saltburn is filled with independent shops, and the Saltburn Vintage Rooms are a brilliant place to find unusual gifts.
From vintage jewellery to antique furniture, there is always something new to discover. The town also has many gift shops and small art galleries where you can see work by local artists.
With so many well preserved Victorian buildings featuring ornate, gothic style details, it is a lovely place to wander around and enjoy some relaxed shopping.
Remember - LeaveNoTrace!
As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!
Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.
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