Local Area Information

Sealark Cottage is situated in the pretty village of Hinderwell, on the North Yorkshire Coast, within the North York Moors National Park and just a mile from the sandy beach at Runswick Bay. Sealark Cottage is ideally placed for visiting so many stunning places and is the perfect base for anyone who loves walking and the outdoors. For those who enjoy exploring, Sealark Cottage is perfectly located to explore everything the North York Moors National Park has to offer - stunning and varied landscapes, quirky villages, sandy beaches, art galleries, arts and crafts, nature and wildlife, castles and abbeys....and more! Whitby is just 8 miles away with the gothic abbey, 199 steps, cobbled streets, medieval yards and harbour. There is a guide in the cottage giving you more information of things to do during your stay at Sealark Cottage. 

Please also see this website under ACTIVITIES for ideas for  Walking for  Celebrations and for   Couples, and also our Blog, which give other ideas of things to do during your stay at Sealark Cottage. 

YOUR VILLAGE. Hinderwell has everything you need for a holiday.  

 A couple of minutes walk away is the Badger Hounds Pub that serves nice food. Dogs are accepted but booking is essential Badger Hounds

A couple of doors away is the Old School Tea Rooms which serves delicious lunches and cakes, with a focus on locally sourced products - an ideal stop after a bracing morning walk along the cliff tops. There is always a mix of  friendly residents and holiday makers. There is a selection of locally made crafts on sale. The Old School Tea Rooms has an outdoor area where you can take dogs, part of which is covered. Depending what is going on in the community hall, you may also be able to take dogs inside. 

There is a fish and chip shop in the village and also a butchers, which is also a convenience store. We encourage you to shop locally. The butchers/convenience store sells all essentials and also a great selection of chutneys, jams and locally baked biscuits. Their steak pies are renowned, but go early because they sell out by late morning. There is a Coop store a few minutes drive away (before you get to Staithes)

For special occasions, there is Restaurant No 20 In Port Mulgrave, just 5 minutes walk from Sealark Cottage. It offers a simple seasonally focused, Italian inspired menu that changes daily. The Josper charcoal grill dictates the menu with fish, meat and vegetables cooked over burning coals. Number 20

Just under a mile away, there is Seaton Manor antiques and the Moorhen cafe. It is a great place for a browse if you like antiques.

The bus stop in the village takes you to Sandsend or Whitby in one direction and Middlesborough in the other direction if you would rather leave the car at home. 

There are plenty of walks directly from Sealark Cottage. Within 10 minutes walk you can be on the Cleveland Way National Trail coastal path with stunning far reaching sea views. From here, you can walk to Staithes, with cobbled streets, winding alleys, harbour, beck and art galleries and craft shops. In the other direction you can walk to the picture postcard village of Runswick Bay, with red roofed cottages clinging to the cliff side and at low tide, a vast expanse of sandy beach. 

Here are some of our favourite places to visit:

Staithes

For those who enjoy walking, you can walk to Staithes from Sealark Cottage along the coastal path with stunning views. Alternatively you can drive and park in the car park and walk down the steep cobbled street into the village and harbour.  Staithes is a picturesque coastal gem, nestled amidst a backdrop of dramatic cliffs that plunge into the sparkling sea. Its charm lies in the whitewashed houses adorned with burnt orange roofs, the cobbled streets, winding their way through the village inviting exploration and the harbour. Staithes has a rich maritime history which can be discovered at the Staithes Museum. Staithes has been a magnet for artists and you can explore the Staithes Illusion trail or visit the art galleries.  Enjoy lunch or dinner in the Cod and Lobster right on the harbour. It is so near the sea that in the great storm of 1953 the front was washed away and the fishermen looked on in sorrow as the precious bottles of brew bobbed about on the retreating foam.  Cod and Lobster 

Staithes has a a rich history of art and there are galleries to explore and an  arts and crafts centre  Staithes Arts and Craft Centre

See the blog on Hidden Staithes Hidden Staithes

Runswick Bay

From Sealark Cottage, a fabulous walk along the cliff tops (or a couple of minutes’ drive) takes you to the picture postcard village of Runswick Bay.  Here, whitewashed cottages, their roofs a patchwork of vibrant reds, cluster together clinging to the cliff. At low tide, the beach is great for rock pooling. Dolphins, seals and whales have been spotted in the waters. In summer you can hire paddle boards and have surf lessons. 

Runswick Bay featured on BBC1 Villages by the Sea - Runswick Bay  in 2024.  Villages by the Sea    It is a really interesting to watch the programme.                        

Whitby

Beautiful Whitby is great for a day out. With the wind whipping off the North Sea, the gulls screeching and crying, and with the imposing silhouette of Whitby Abbey against the sky, it is easy to see why Bram Stoker found inspiration here. Walking the 199 steps, you can almost feel the presence of Dracula's Demeter running aground. The gothic charm of the town, the winding streets, and the ever-present sense of history create an atmosphere that's captivating. If you're looking for a place where history and legend collide, Whitby is a must-visit. Whitby is an all-year-round destination.

There are so many things to do in Whitby. You can climb the 199 steps, explore St Mary's Church and Whitby Abbey: book a guided tour to find out about the history and local legends: go crabbing: visit the Captain Cook Museum or Whitby Museum: go on a boat trip around the harbour....and much more. 

There are so many great places to eat in Whitby. We love The White Horse and Griffin, for the sense of history you get. It transports you to a bygone world of smuggling and explorers - It was also used as a meeting place for explorers Captain James Cook and William Scoresby who hired and fixed their crews from the building.  White Horse and Griffin

Sandsend and Mulgrave Woods

When the sun is out, head to Sandsend. Sandsend is a stunning beach with a wide expanse of sand at low tide. It is great for rock pooling and dog walking and you can hunt for fossils. If you enjoy walking, you can explore Mulgrave Woods and discover the ruins of the old Norman Castle. Mulgrave Woods are especially beautiful in the spring when they are full of primroses. 

There are plenty of places to eat in Sandsend. We enjoy ‘Mary’s Sandwich Shop’ for their unusual burgers and sandwiches Mary's      

Grosmont

Imagine the rhythmic chuff of a steam engine echoing through the valley.  In Grosmont, that's a daily reality (seasonal). Step into the heart of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and witness the impressive engine sheds, where these magnificent machines are lovingly maintained. If an engine is in the station, you can smell the coal smoke, and hear the hiss of escaping steam It's a sensory journey back to the golden age of rail. There is something special about being up close to a steam engine.

During summer season, you can go on an engine shed tour.  Engine Shed Tours        

Robin Hood's Bay 

A 25 minute drive takes you to Robin Hood's Bay. Robin Hood's Bay is a picturesque old fishing village on the coast, a labyrinth of narrow, twisting cobbled streets that climb and descend the steep hillside, each turn revealing a charming cottage or a glimpse of the vast, ever-changing sea. These ancient pathways, worn smooth by centuries of footsteps, whisper stories of fishermen and their families, of bustling trade, smuggling and press gangs.

At low tide, a magnificent expanse of golden, sandy beach emerges, inviting leisurely strolls, rock pooling and fossil hunting.

There are plenty of places to eat and drink - ideal for refueling before the steep climb back up the hill to your car.

Goathland 

All aboard for a trip to Goathland, only 30 minutes from Sealark Holiday Cottage!  As you explore this beautiful village, you may hear the nostalgic huffing and chuffing of a North Yorkshire Moors Railway steam train as it pulls out of Goathland station on the way to Pickering or Grosmont.  Head down the hill from the village to the station.  It's not just a charming railway station; it's Hogsmeade Station from Harry Potter. If a steam train is in, you will be taken back in time with the smell of coal smoke and hot oil.

Goathland was also a filming destination for 'Heartbeat' the fictional village of Aidensfield in the  television series set in the 1960s. Many landmarks from the series are recognisable, including the shop, garage/funeral directors, the public house and train station.  

Goathland offers amazing walking with great views, including a lovely walk to Mallyan Spout, a 70-foot waterfall, which plunges down a wooded ravine.

There are plenty of places to eat in the village. Our favourite is the Homestead Kitchen, a fine dining restaurant, which showcases Yorkshire produce   Homestead Kitchen      

Rosedale and Hutton le Hole

Rosedale is about 35 minutes from Sealark Cottage and can be combined with nearby Hutton le Hole. The scenery on the drive over is gorgeous moorland with beautiful views. We love Rosedale and have happy memories from holidays here.

We love walking along Chimney Bank above Rosedale. The views are amazing. You drive up the steepest public road in England to get there. Explore the haunting remnants of the ironstone mines, whispering tales of a bygone industrial era, before surrendering to the tranquil charm of Rosedale village, with its idyllic green and welcoming cafes.

A visit to Rosedale Abbey can be combined with a trip to Hutton le Hole because it is only about 10 minutes’ drive.  It is a really pretty village lying in a natural hollow, hence its name. it's a postcard come to life, arguably one of the most breathtaking scenes within the entire National Park. A clear moorland stream runs through the village. You can unfurl  a picnic blanket on the  banks, or  there are several cafes and places for ice cream, a village pub and a lovely café/deli.

Nestled in the very heart of Hutton le Hole, the open-air Ryedale Folk Museum is a portal to a bygone era.  Step through its gates and prepare to be transported back in time as you wander through a captivating collection of over 20 meticulously preserved heritage buildings, including a chemist shop, cobblers, blacksmiths, manor house and witches house. Dogs welcome.

There are also some craft workshops to visit in the village.

The North York Moors National Park is a very special place and perfect for getting close to nature. It is also a working landscape and home to people and rare wildlife. If you are visiting the North York Moors National Park, please Share With Care Share with Care to help keep you safe, animals safe and protect the special environment. 

Don't forget to tag us in on Facebook @sealarkholidaycottagehinderwell so that we can see your photos.