With the weather getting colder and nights getting longer, it’s tempting to want to jet off to warmer climates, but how about embracing the winter and exploring nearer to home?
Sometimes time, family ties, finances or dog sitting can get in the way of a jetaway holiday, but the UK itself has some lovely places to explore.
So often tempted by the Norfolk coast, we took time to venture a little further afield and explore part of Route YC, taking in the Yorkshire Coast.
Having been to university up north, I’ve always been a fan of the warm Yorkshire charm. The friendly and welcoming nature extends right up the coast, and so does the proper Yorkshire scran.
If you’re a dog owner, you’re in luck. Route YC is packed with dog friendly pubs, restaurants accommodation and out of season dog friendly beaches. It might be too cold for us to be lying on the beach, but the trip is worth it to see your pooch running across the sand.
Accommodation
There are a number of spots along Route YC worth exploring, from Filey to Scarborough and up to Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay. If looking for a base, Humble Bee Farm is a wonderful place to spend a few days. This working farm now offers a range of accommodation, from camping and glamping pods to self contained cottages. They’ve got on site facilities including a cafe and shop, which even sells its own farm IPA and their own jars of honey.
A lovely set-up for families, the farm gives children the opportunity to explore and see the resident llamas in the morning. Don’t worry if you’re a group of just grown ups through, the glamping pods and self contained cottages offer a wonderful escape (and those farm beers and local gins available at the on site shop are a very welcome addition).
Staying in Swallows Nest, we were delighted to walk in and feel the immediate warmth of the log burner fire. The two-bedroom cottage is beautifully furnished, with everything you need for a comfortable stay and a private outdoor space for warmer days (and also useful for the dogs).
The owners really have created a little haven, set away from the tourist areas, it’s a beautifully peaceful farm location that offers you all you need for a comfortable and relaxing stay.
Explore
The base at Humble Bee Farm offers easy access to destinations such as Filey (30 mins), Scarborough (20 mins), and Robin Hood’s Bay (40 mins). For those who might be a fan of UKTV’s Bangers & Cash, you can also travel just 20 minutes to the lovely village of Thornton Le Dale to visit Matthewsons themselves and take in some classic car auction action.
Eating Out
As already mentioned, up north you can be assured of proper Yorkshire scran. One place you simply must not miss is The Piebald Inn (10 mins from Honeybee Farm). Pie by name, pie by nature, this place has a whopping 52 pies on the menu. All homemade and packed full of flavour, it’s a joy to visit on a cold winter’s evening. If you’re feeling festive we fully recommend the Christmas Dinner pie (available all year round).
If you’re traveling with dogs then you won’t be short of pup-friendly pubs to visit on your travels. Another recommendation if you’re further south near Bridlington is The Ship Inn at Sewerby. This lovely pub has a warm homely feel and even has a resident parrot chirping away to make you feel welcome. Check out their menu of home cooked classics, and if visiting at lunchtime don’t miss their roast dinner baguette, complete with Yorkshire pudding. Plus read on further to find out about a lovely dog friendly walking spot just a few minutes away.
Trip to the seaside
Of course, when you have dogs in tow it’s beach time all year round. Scarborough has two stretches of beach and the North Bay Beach is perfect for winter dog walking. The long stretch of beach has plenty of facilities nearby, including parking, cafes, shops and restaurants, so you can enjoy a full morning or afternoon of it.
North Beach also has a wonderful row of Scarborough Beach Chalets running along the promenade. These are available to hire by the day, AND if you’re staying in Swallows Nest you get use of one included in your room rate! The beach huts are new and modern and come with electricity and kettle so you can enjoy having your own space to retire too if you want to change or need a cuppa.
Scarborough itself offers classic British seaside charm. Head down towards South Bay Beach and you’ll find a stretch of pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants along the beachfront and across the harbour. Again, nearly all of the establishments are dog friendly giving you the opportunity to sit and enjoy fish & chips or some local seafood with your pup in tow. Or head on down to Marisco Lounge for some harbour-side cocktails. As with most British seaside stops, there’s a bit of competition for fish & chips, but Golden Grid by the Harbour offers a great choice of fresh seafood as well as your chippy classics.
Dog Friendly
Now, we’re not saying you need to have a dog with your to enjoy explore Route YC, but if you do have one they’ll definitely enjoy it as much as you do.
A couple of highlights for your visit include Purple Pup, an absolute slice of heaven for your dogs. This independent shop, just off South Bay Beach in Scarborough, specialises in force free training and natural treats. Believe us when we say you’ve never seen a treat selection like it. So much so, they’ve called it a Canine Charcuterie. The owners are so knowledgable about what they offer and their knowledge has led them to become a must visit for dog owners who are visiting the area.
Further to the south or Route YC, close to Bridlington, you’ll find Sewerby Hall & Gardens. Uniquely positioned on a seaside clifftop, the gardens offer a wonderful spot to explore and dog walk. The house itself is only open at the weekends, but the Clock Tower Cafe, zoo and gardens remain open daily for you to explore. Set in 50 acres of early 19th Century parkland, you can enjoy a walk before sitting down for lunch or tea, with dog walkers having their own designated space at the cafe.
Alternatively, when you’ve finished, The Ship Inn (which we mentioned earlier in the feature) is situated less than a 5 minute walk from the gardens.
Find out more
You can follow the links above to all destinations visited during our trip, To explore further afield you can visit the Route YC website at routeyc.co.uk, which will give information on the different seaside options, as well as accommodation tips and tips for walkers or dog owners.
We were invited to explore the area by Route YC and received our accommodation free of charge. We were under no obligation to give a positive review and fully enjoyed exploring the area.
