Christmas Cottages in Whitby

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Noreen - Verified booking

  If you love trains, the The Railway Retreat will be your happy place.

  Not only do the Northern Rail trains trundle past, but so do the North York Moors Railway locomotives, diesels and vintage carriages. The youngest members of our party (aged 5 and 6) very much enjoyed waving to the train passengers from the terrace of the property. An added bonus was that often the trains stopped for several minutes right outside, as the signals were there. As my childhood home adjoined a railway line, I was reminded of that time through the sights, sounds and distinctive smells of the steam trains particularly. The Railway Retreat is only a 5 minute walk from Whitby Station. As one of our party was disabled, this was particularly pertinent, as he was able to walk to the station then join us on a NYMR steam locomotive driven train to Grosmont. The house itself we found very accessible, though the steep stairs had to be negotiated carefully. The Railway Retreat is within easy walking distance of a play park, and also of the town itself, with its famous abbey, and interesting shops. There is a chip shop round the corner, so no need to go into Whitby for a fish supper. Several of our party enjoy hiking and both the Cinder Track walk to Scarborough and the Cleveland way clifftop path are literally on the doorstep. So, overall this was a house that ticked all the boxes for us, and made my birthday weekend very memorable and special.

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• Amy - Verified booking

  Whilst we had a lovely stay there are lots of things that need looking at to make this property more comfortable for 6 adults and 2 dogs.

  The doors slam shut, making it very dangerous for young children and dogs, the catches on the doors also don’t work properly and we couldn’t shut our bedroom doors properly. As well as this the bathroom door doesn’t lock. The living space is not big enough for 8 people and dogs, the dining table is too big for the space it’s been given and not set up properly. There was extra chairs stacked up messily when we arrived and a baby chair left on the floor these should have been tidied away as you would have been aware of how many of us were arriving. The breakfast bar in the kitchen is a waste of space and makes it difficult to get to the freezer. In terms of being a “dog friendly” property I wouldn’t say it was well set up for this. Open bins with plastic bags hanging loose from them, as explained the doors slamming shut and the outside area. The outside area has fake grass laid down over the patio area and also plastic foliage and a bamboo panel attached to the fence. (Sticks and leaves a dogs idea of fun!) When it rained ( only a tiny shower) the grass ended up soaking wet and squelchy which took ages for it to dry as well as it smelling. All in all this wasn’t the most comfortable cottage/ house we have stayed in and it needs a lot of rethinking and maintenance.

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• Jane - Verified booking

  The location was great and the cottage very quirky but not suitable for dogs at all.

  There is no garden and no grassed area so wherever the dog needs to relieve its self outside the cottage can only be next to someone else's property or down the steps to the cobbled shopping areas. The lounge is on the second floor and the steps are too steep and difficult for dogs. Most owners have the dogs with them in the lounge, they dont leave them on their own on another floor. The furnishings were very old, tired and uncomfortable. The easily accessible drawers to put clothes in the bedroom were full of towels and bedding for the cottage and the other small drawers difficult to get to.The shower was pretty much useless, over the bath with no shower rail. The parking permit is pretty useless as its for a parking area much further away from the central car park in town, which in itself is quite some distance across town to carry luggage, with a dog and our grandchild. No complementary condiments to give the lovely welcome most cottage do. No black bag for the bin, no spare toilet roll. The cottage feels like the owners cant be bothered putting in that special effort to make a nice welcome for guests but still are charging a high price.We will never stay there again and wont recommend to our friends.

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• Gary - Verified booking

  Great location, handy for the town.

  On the whole a very positive experience but there are few minor things you need to sort out: 1. The freezer is almost impossible to get to as the gap between the breakfast bar and the wall is very tiny. 2. The freezer needs defrosting, it wasn't possible to open the bottom drawer due to excess ice. 3. When we arrived there were crumbs all over the breakfast bar and flaking paint by the kitchen window. 4. The TV needs changing as there are two bright spots on the screen which are permanent and visible regardless as to which channel is on. 5. There were only four of us yet there were eight chairs crammed into the dining area. We couldn't sit around the table without first carrying four of the chairs upstairs into a spare bedroom. 6. We had to buy a can opener as there wasn't one. This may sound very negative but they are easily remedied and would create a more positive experience. The house was comfy, the beds exceptionally so. One thing out of your control which you may wish to mention is that if you have to park opposite the house be prepared to have your car covered in leaves and tree sap!

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• Kath - Verified booking

  Fantastic to be finally out of lockdown & allowed to go to the seaside!

  !! However parking was a nightmare - unloading the car on a tiny street with loads of pedestrians & other vehicles trying to get past. Having to park miles away, so on a trip out to the beach having to carry all our stuff miles. It made it stressful & exhausting. I think it needs to be really clearly spelt out that parking in Whitby is difficult to find & the house location means I you’ll have to park a long way away, if your v lucky you might get a spot in the limited pay & display £9 a day. Remember everything you bring has to be carried ... we brought way too much stuff! The house was quirky & v characterful which was lovely, but top stair landing was precarious & also The banister rail was loose, so had to be really on the ball! It’s not really a family holiday house, but the location is fantastic and the house a real experience, loved the old bath! You’ll need healthy knees as there are a LOT of very steep uneven steps,! I’d say it’s great for a short break just to explore Whitby as you’re right in the old town. But come on the train & with a small overnight bag!

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