Saltburn December 2024 {one}

Saltburn :: Friday

I really enjoy being away for a few days by myself and this latest trip was everything I wanted it to be. Waking up beside the sea is the stuff that my dreams are made of, and the Saltburn holiday house that I chose to stay in has the most amazing sea views. At this time of year our days are short so I wake up while it's still completely dark outside, sitting in bed with a mug of hot tea waiting impatiently for the daylight to arrive. The weather forecast for my time away was pretty dire with a moderate storm warning, so on Friday morning I was really, really overjoyed to see beautiful blue skies out there above the sea.

I was up, showered and dressed and down onto the beach by 8.30, keen to soak in the beautiful early morning light and breathe in that glorious salty sea air.

Walking along the shoreline as close to the sea as I could get felt absolutely wonderful. Being beside the sea gives me a feeling that I rarely get anywhere else, it's a heady combination of total calm relaxation mixed with high, pulsing energy. It's intoxicating and quite addictive, and it's the reason why you see me so frequently taking myself off to the coast because I experience such a strong pull to go chase down this feeling!

I found a beautiful piece of turquoise sea glass as I strolled along the beach, coastal treasure which made me very happy.

There were very few people around at this time of the morning, a lone surfer and a few dog walkers keeping my company. I made my way to Camfields just as it was opening and  bought an Illy coffee to take out onto the pier....

...which was blissfully catching the first rays of the sun as it rose above the cliffs.

I sat myself down on a wooden bench half way along the pier, tipping my face up to the sun while I sipped my coffee and listened to the sounds of the waves underneath my feet.

Saltburn pier has Victorian heritage and I often think about that as I stroll from one end to the other. It opened in 1869, and I like to imagine all the people who have strolled along the old boards in its 150 year old history.

Promenading for pleasure is such an underrated and joyful activity and you won't be surprised to know that I am a huge fan. I absolutely love piers and seaside esplanades and promenades - piers in particular are fantastic inventions and it's a wonderful feeling to walk directly above the waves as they roll in underneath your feet and all around.

After my morning coffee and pier promenade, I made my way slowly up the cliffside by way of the many interconnecting flights of steps which zig zag all the way to the top. It's a steep but exhilarating climb and the views from the top are always worth the effort.

I walked along Marine Parade and stopped as I always do to admire this very beautiful old Victorian building which dominates the street. It was originally built as a hotel in the mid 1800's and is now divided up into apartments, all with stunning sea views. 

Slightly less grand but still very charming are the the Victorian "jewel streets" of Saltburn. Named after  precious stones (Coral, Garnet, Ruby, Emerald, Pearl, Diamond and Amber Streets), they are built in a gridiron layout and all lead down to the upper sea front. Over the years I've stayed in quite a few of these streets as many of the larger houses are divided into apartments which are rented out as holiday lets.

I enjoy walking up and down the jewel streets, admiring the front gardens and the lovely Victorian architecture....

....and the many, many quirky houses that are so full of character. I've no idea about the history of this ivy covered house but I'm really fascinated by it and always stop and wonder about it.

Coming back to my cosy little holiday house after a good few hours of walking was so comforting, it's a beautiful house to stay in (I was last here in my own back in July 2022). The downstairs is all open plan with wide bi-fold doors at the front which let light flood in and give the most wonderful sea views. I spent the whole afternoon working on my colourwash merino Canalboat blanket and am happy to tell you that it's looking (and feeling) incredible. The yarn is sooooo soft and squishy and an absolute joy to work with, and as you can see from the above photo, the colours are delicious.

Around 3pm I suddenly felt the need for a little break from the hook and some fresh air, so before the light disappeared I went for a walk. Instead of heading down to the sea, I decided to explore some of the old residential areas of Saltburn (oh my, some seriously posh houses) which led me into the large area of woodland which runs down the valley. There are lots of pathways to follow but I stuck to the well marked Cleveland Way which I knew would lead me directly down to the sea.

Coming back into town an hour later, it was 4pm and already starting to get dark. I wanted to try and show you the colourful christmas lights and trees in the town, they were ever so hard to photograph....

....but hopefully you can get an impression. I LoVED them so much as I am an eternal lover of coloured lights at christmas time and really enjoy the nostalgic childhood memories they evoke.

I expect you can gather by now that I really, really love Saltburn. It's only a small town (population of around six thousand) and of course I love the natural coastal landscape and the fact that as a seaside town it remains very unspoilt with a lovely sense of preserved history. There is also a genuine feeling of close community here with friendly people and a welcoming warmth, plus it's also ever so slightly eccentric and quirky which appeals to me on all levels! 

Tomorrow I'll tell you about the remainder of my stay which turned out to be a very stormy affair....see you then 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

 

 

Comments

[Elizabeth]

Sigh. The perfect visit to a perfect little seaside town. I traveled back in history by re-reading your July post, which just doubled the sigh factor for me. Those wonderful ammonite stepping stones! I hope you have lovely holidays -- both the traveling kind and the Christmas kind.

[Debbie Maddock]

Saltburn is very pretty..I aim to visit this place again as it's been a very long time since we have been and you have inspired another visit. Your pictures are so lovely. What a lovely break.

[April]

Looks marvelous!

[Michelle Gladwish]

Lucy if you haven’t already you must take a trip South to see the Victorian pier at Clevedon. It’s beautiful x. My husband and I paid for a brass plaque with our wedding date etc on there. There are so many stories to read on those plaques on the benches along the pier x

[Elke]

Just love walking with you :-). Hope you had a fantastic sea-experience!

[Libby Parker]

I love hearing about your sojourns to the coast! There is something magic and restorative about a small seaside town and all it offers. Thanks so much for taking us along with you.💕

[Linda]

Love that you got a break away at the weekend. The photos are great. Can't wait to see the stripey canal boat blanket. Lazy few days here in the south. Grey and overcast and drizzly. Fairly windy on Saturday, so stayed home. More hats made for the homeless. Getting through wool like it's going out of fashion. Then tonight a message to say my newest great nephew was born at 35 weeks, so in an incubator. Luckily blankets and jackets already delivered. So when he goes home he will be warm and snug. Enjoy being back home Lucy sleep well. Off to my bed soon Linda x

[Linda from Boston]

What a great post! Beautiful pictures as always. Thanks for taking us along. ♥️