There’s something quite cosy and magical about visiting a seaside town in winter, especially around Christmas time. If you’re looking for the perfect festive break, you may want to consider this lesser-known seaside town that has vintage Victorian vibes and hosts a variety of Yuletide events.

Saltburn-by-the Sea sits on a cliff on the North Yorkshire coast, overlooking a long stretch of sand and shingle and the choppy North Sea below. This beautiful beach inspired the Victorians to turn it into a seaside destination, and a lot of the infrastructure they built is in place today, giving the town a charmingly old-fashioned feel. 

One amazing feat of Victorian engineering that is still running to this day is the Saltburn Cliff Tramway. This funicular railway carries passengers up the steep cliffs from the promenade to the town for just £2 each way. The short journey is taken in one of the original Victorian carriages where you can peer out the stained glass trimmed windows and enjoy the sea views. 

As you exit the tramway at the bottom of the ride, you’ll step onto Saltburn Pier, another Victorian build that stretches 200 metres into the North Sea. Here you can take a bracing winter walk along this old-fashioned pier and enjoy the sea air. There’s also a long promenade for walking or cycling, which is dotted with fish and chip shops, retro cafes, and colourful beach huts.

Saltburn is a popular spot for surfers, and you can hire a board and kit at the surf shop, or even sign up for a lesson to help you make the most of the year-round surf conditions.

Visit in December and you can enjoy some of the town’s festive events. A highlight is the Saltburn Ice Trail, which takes place on December 13. This year, there’s a pantomime theme, with spectacular ice sculptures dotted around the town to discover. There will also be a live ice carving demonstration and an ice post box where kids can post their letters to Santa. There will also be live street entertainment to add to the festive atmosphere.

Saltburn is full of unique, independent shops, and the Saltburn Vintage Rooms are a great place to pick up one-of-a-kind gifts. From vintage jewellery to antique furniture, there’s an ever-changing selection of amazing finds. The town also features numerous gift shops and small art galleries, where you can find works by local artists. With lots of beautifully preserved Victorian buildings with ornate, gothic exteriors, it’s a pleasant place to wander around and shop.

If you’re looking to stay for longer than a day trip, consider booking a room at The Spa Hotel. It has a terrace with amazing views out to sea, and has a popular bar and restaurant serving Sunday roasts, afternoon teas, cocktails, and more. 

Another option is the grand Brockley Hall, which has been decorated in a unique, slightly eccentric style. Each of its 30 rooms has its own individual look, and you can upgrade to rooms with features such as a four poster bed or a cast iron bathtub where you can enjoy a long soak after a day at the seaside. 

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