Lilly's Cottage

Tucked away in a labyrinth of pathways and streets tumbling down towards the sea, this property is a gorgeous three-storey seaside cottage in Robin Hood's Bay. Dating back to the 17th century, the cottage has been brought back to life with a contemporary but classic make-over.

This stylish cheerful cottage is a delight at any time of year. Think crisp white and blue accents, white painted floorboards, exposed beams, tongue and groove panelling and latched doors. This New England clapboard theme lends a real sense of light and space, with lots of seaside trinkets, paintings and French antique furniture dotted around to help you feel at home.

Downstairs you'll find an open-plan sitting room, kitchen and dining area, all set to the seaside theme. It's a comfortable space in which to retreat after a day on the beach or exploring the rock pools down in the bay. There is a living flame fire to give a cosy feel to the room and a Smart TV & DVD player available too. Wi-Fi and a BOSE docking station provide further entertainment.

The handsome open kitchen includes a dishwasher, fridge with ice box and microwave as well as the usual small appliances. Settle down to dine at the pretty table under the stairs - just the place for a cosy candlelit meal.

Please note that due to the age and character of the property there isn't a washing machine, however we can advise of a local launderette if required.

There are three generous bedrooms in the cottage, the first of which is the master bedroom set on the first floor. This beautiful room boasts an original cast iron fireplace, king-size bed and views out over the village. It also enjoys an en-suite shower room.

Bedrooms two and three are on the second floor, another generous king-size room and a charming twin. Set in the eaves of the house, you can enjoy waking up each morning to the sound of the sea and the seagulls calling high overhead. The second and third bedrooms share the large family bathroom on the first floor, which comes complete with roll top bath and original stone fireplace.

Please note this is an old fisherman's cottage with steep stairs, as such it may be unsuitable for some guests. Small children should be supervised.

As is the case with most cottages in Robin Hood's Bay, there isn't a garden. However, a bistro table and chairs are provided so you can sit out on Chapel Street and enjoy the sun over your morning coffee. And the beach is under half a mile away!

• 3 bedrooms: 2 king-size bedrooms and 1 twin bedroom
• 1 family bathroom with bath and WC, 1 en-suite shower room with WC
• Ceramic hob, electric oven, fridge, icebox, dishwasher
• Nespresso coffee maker - pods provided
• Outside seating area
• Living flame fire
• Electricity and heating included
• Smart TV in Lounge
• Wi-Fi included
• 2 medium sized dogs welcome
• Travel cot, high chair and stairgate available
• Please note this property is an old fisherman's cottage and the stairs are steep - therefore children must be supervised at all times
• Pubs and shops within half a mile
• DVD player
• MP3 docking station
• Parking - please note, there is no parking available at the cottage however it is sometimes possible to purchase a private permit for the nearby car-park. Please note this cannot accommodate for vehicles larger than a Range Rover . If this is not possible, parking is available at the top of the hill in the council car parks (charges apply).
• Arrival: 16:00 onwards
• Departure: before 10:00, unless otherwise stated in your arrival details
• 2 dogs allowed. Dogs are charged at £20 each per full or part week
• There is an Accidental Damage Deposit of £250 when booking at this property, however this may be waived for £30. We’ll provide more details about this when booking your holiday.

The cottage location is fantastic. Perched on one of the most popular streets in Robin Hood's Bay, you are under half a mile from the beach, and metres from the Bay’s many cafes and shops. Robin Hood's Bay is a much-loved gravity-defying picture-postcard village under 6 miles from Whitby. Once home to the busiest smuggling trade on the Yorkshire coast, said to involve fisherman, clergy and gentry alike, today the village has adopted a much more sedate pace of life. Walkers can delight in the fact that Wainwright's famous Coast to Coast walk starts (or finishes depending which way you look at it) just a few yards from the door.

For dinner there are a variety of lovely options from romantic bistros, to nautically themed Inns which have a delightful evening atmosphere set with candlelight. There are also several good pubs in the village with great pub grub. If you want to dine in, take advantage of the well-stocked local stores there, including an excellent fish mongers selling the freshest locally caught crab. The kids will love the traditional sweet shops and there are several gorgeous little boutiques selling all manner of delightful things.

As hard as it will be to drag yourself away from Robin Hood’s Bay, you really ought to explore the rest of the coast. Much like its Cornish counterpart, the Yorkshire coastline is a heady mix of rugged cliff tops, peaceful bays and pretty fishing villages. With long sandy beaches and all the traditional seaside trimmings of yesteryear, this is proper bucket 'n spade territory. That's not to say it's stuck in the past, in fact the coast's villages and towns combine the traditional with the contemporary effortlessly, with trinket shops and tea rooms sitting alongside upmarket champagne and oyster bars.

This region is best known for the gorgeously gothic town of Whitby. Playing host at one time to Romans, Saxons, Celts and Danes amongst others, the town's rich heritage is immediately obvious. Straddling the river Esk and dominated by the 13th century ruins of St Hilda's Abbey on the East Cliff, Whitby's crooked cobbled streets and picturesque harbour have been a magnet for artists and tourists alike for centuries. Providing the backdrop for some of Lewis Carroll's work, it was also famously the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula. For a real sense of the town's atmospheric ambience, climb the 199 abbey steps at dusk and wander around St. Mary's churchyard on the headland.

You can further indulge a desire for the macabre on one of the regular ghost walks in Robin Hood's Bay  www.whitbystoryteller.co.uk or from the Whale Bone Arch on the West Cliff in Whitby. For confirmation of dates and times check www.whitbywalks.com

Although you could happily spend a day or two mooching about the independent shops, bars and cafes along Whitby's bustling medieval streets, it's well worth striking out to sample some of the other less known coastal villages nearby. Sandsend, (5.5 miles) Staithes (15.5 miles) and Runswick Bay, just 13.5 miles away, are all within easy driving distance, and each have their own unique charm.