Love at First Bite

Love at First Bite: North Yorkshire

With a storybook armchair set beside a crackling fire, soaring ceilings, and twinkling chandeliers in nearly every room, there's a touch of historical grandeur to this newly refurbished townhouse. But we'd expect nothing less from a home perched in the postcard-pretty town of Whitby. Home to the ancient ruins of the Abbey – famously the setting of Bram Stoker's Dracula – this town is synonymous with gothic splendour.

Beyond the ruins, there's much more to explore, with Whitby's hotspots within walking distance. Pack up your bucket and spades for days on the expansive sands of West Cliff Beach and let your four-legged friend have a run about – one well-behaved pooch is welcome at this home. Dive into the maze of wander-worthy medieval streets, peppered with traditional inns, gastro-pubs, and fish and chips shops aplenty. Then don your hiking boots for bracing coastal walks tracing the mighty Cinder Path.

When it's time to put your feet up back at home, groups of friends or extended family will love the sense of space this home brings. Set out over three floors, the townhouse's elegant bedrooms are spaced apart to give everyone extra privacy. But when it's time to get together, the dining room is the hub of the home. Put your glad rags on and lay the table for an atmospheric dinner party – all eight of you are invited here.

Home truths:
*The keys to the property with a private entrance are accessed via a secure key safe
*This home is set out over three floors with internal stairs and you'll arrive via a steep hill which may be unsuitable for guests with restricted mobility
*One small, well behaved dog is welcomed
*There are sloped ceilings in the top-floor bedrooms, vertically blessed beware
*There is no bathroom located on the top-floor, but you’ll find a family bathroom on the floor below
*There are laptop-friendly spaces for remote working
*High chairs are provided for little ones
*If you’d rather leave your car at home, Whitby train station is just a few minutes walk away and there are plenty of bus routes linking to the nearby coastal villages