Shrinking Violet

Shrinking Violet: North Yorkshire

There's a lot to be said for not rocking the boat when it comes to interior design. In this Whitby apartment, there might not be anything revolutionary to be found behind the front door – muted pastels, wood finishes and a small collection of artwork is the order of the day here – but it's still a home you should be more than content to return to after a long day out sightseeing.

That being said, there are a couple of big plus points. The bay window is a handsome feature and brings in plenty of natural light, while the size of the corner kitchen deserves to be highlighted, too. All too often in a small apartment, the cooking quarters can feel cramped, but not here – good news if you fancy buying some local seafood and whipping up something spectacular.

The home's other major perk is the central location. Whitby Beach is only five minutes' walk away and you can continue to wander along the sands all the way to the aptly named Sandsend. On the other side of the River Esk, you can climb up the famous 199 steps and visit the abbey in a quarter of an hour on foot.


Home truths:
*Your host can provide a cot for free upon request
*There's no elevator in the building to reach this single-level home
*Your host provides a parking scratch card that will allow you to park in certain zones in Whitby – additional free parking is available in the local area
*One small well-behaved dog is welcome to accompany you during your stay
*Although there isn't a desk here, the dining table can double as a laptop-friendly workspace if you need to work from home