Escape to North Yorkshire: A Luxurious Family Weekend of Coast, Countryside & Culinary Delights
When the hustle of everyday life starts to feel a little too loud, there’s one direction we always head: north. North Yorkshire offers a rare combination: wide-open spaces and endless skies, but with enough sophistication to keep things special. It’s where village pubs serve restaurant-quality food, lodges come with hot tubs and woodland views, and heritage blends seamlessly with modern family living.
For our Easter weekend escape, we packed the car, loaded the dog and bikes, and set our course for a stretch of Yorkshire that never fails to deliver. The plan? To rest, roam and indulge, together.
Saltburn-by-the-Sea & Angrove Lodge Luxury
Our weekend began with a nostalgic stop at the coast—Saltburn-by-the-Sea. A gem of the Victorian era, Saltburn’s elegant charm endures with its classic pier, cliff lift, and long, dog-friendly beach. Once a humble fishing village, it was transformed in the 19th century by Henry Pease, who envisioned a resort where elegance met the sea. His vision gave us the grid-style streets, jewel-named avenues, and the iconic Zetland Hotel.
We walked the dog along the tide-kissed sands beneath a steel-grey sky, then queued up at The Seaview Restaurant for fish and chips, crispy, hot, and best enjoyed with your feet in the sand and salt on your lips.
From coast to countryside, our next stop was Angrove Country Park, a luxury lodge retreat between Stokesley and Great Ayton. Nestled at the foot of the North York Moors, our lodge offered pure comfort: stylish interiors, dog-friendly touches, and a private hot tub overlooking the hills. That first night, we sank into the warm bubbles under a cool dusk sky, and the weekend officially began.
Breakfast with a View & Village Strolls
Saturday started slow, in the best way. I fired up the Big Green Egg BBQ and cooked a Full English breakfast using sausages, bacon and black pudding from Powe’s Butchers & Deli back in Calderdale, a family-run gem since 1885, known for quality, traceability and traditional craftsmanship.
As the scent of sizzling Yorkshire pork mingled with the morning air, we gathered on the deck, coffee in hand, plates piled high, with only the Moors for company.
That afternoon, we took a gentle walk into Great Ayton, a postcard-perfect village with a surprising claim to fame: it’s the childhood home of Captain James Cook. You can visit the Captain Cook Schoolroom Museum or the granite obelisk where his cottage once stood before it was shipped off to Australia. The village is charming and offers scenic riverside walks, perfect for families and dogs alike.
Our cocker spaniel enjoyed a swim in the River Leven, and we paused at a sunny beer garden, where our daughter Jessica shared her ice cream with the dog, a sweet, simple moment that felt like a memory in the making.
That evening, we dined with friends nearby, enjoying local cheeses, good wine, and that easy conversation that flows when the setting is just right.
Moorland Challenge, Lamb Flatbreads & a Dining Letdown
Sunday was all about adventure. I started early with another barbecue masterpiece, slow-roasted leg of lamb, again from Powe’s, seasoned and left to smoulder while I took on a 30-mile cycle through North Yorkshire’s backroads.
The highlight of the ride was the climb up Ingleby Bank, a route popular with walkers and cyclists alike. For those on foot, it’s part of the Ingleby Greenhow Circular Walk, which climbs through ancient woodland and spills out onto open moorland. At the top sits the Ingleby Incline, a relic of Victorian ingenuity used to haul ironstone down steep tracks. The views are breathtaking—across the Cleveland escarpment, over to Roseberry Topping, with heather-covered hills and grazing moorland sheep dotting the horizon.
There’s even a hand stone, an ancient roadside honesty box where travellers once left coins for those in need. Yorkshire is always rich in stories.
Back at the lodge, the lamb was tender and deeply flavoured. I carved it into flatbreads, served with tangy slaw and yoghurt. We ate alfresco in the April sun, feeling like the day couldn’t get any better.
That evening, we booked dinner at Whinstone View, a beautifully designed venue that, sadly, didn’t deliver. Our starters arrived suspiciously fast, barely a minute after ordering, and the mains were a letdown. My hake was so dry it crumbled, and the mussels were gritty and poorly cleaned. When I raised the issue, our server said, “I’ll tell him.” No apology, no offer to make things right. Lovely setting, but without training or care in the kitchen, a restaurant is just scenery.
Pastries, Bays & A Perfect Pub
Our final morning took us to Koselig Bakeri in Guisborough, a Scandi-inspired café where the coffee is bold, and the pastries are art. My pain au chocolat with pistachio was warm, flaky and almost too pretty to eat (almost).
From there, we drove to Runswick Bay, a hidden jewel on the coast with steep steps, red-tiled roofs, and a secret and special beach. The sun came out just as we reached the shore, and our final walk along the water felt like a blessing.
But our trip wasn’t over yet.
Final Stop: The Angel Inn at Topcliffe
On the way home to Calderdale, we made a detour to Topcliffe, just off the A1 and steeped in history. Mentioned in the Domesday Book, this charming village was once home to the powerful Percy family and still holds echoes of its medieval past.
Our destination was The Angel Inn, and from the moment we stepped inside, we knew it would be special. Warm wood panelling, soft lighting, elegant decor—it’s a place that feels indulgent but not pretentious.
I ordered the gammon steak, which came perfectly grilled with a honey glaze, crisp edges and a juicy centre. My wife had the steak and ale pie, encased in golden pastry and filled with tender chunks of beef in a rich, velvety gravy. We couldn’t fault a single thing- the food, the service, the ambience- everything a country inn should be.
Why This Was the Perfect Family Weekend
North Yorkshire has that rare ability to soothe and stir you simultaneously. It invites you to slow down, but never leaves you without something extraordinary to do. Whether it’s beach walks, village strolls, cycling routes or fine food, there’s something for every family member—including the dog.
We returned full of fresh air, good food, and better memories. And we’ll do it all again soon.
