Holiday rentals and lettings in Sandsend

Table of contents

• At a glance: what should you know about renting a holiday rental in Sandsend?
• Holiday rentals in Sandsend: find your perfect retreat
• Exploring Sandsend: our top recommendations
• Activities: what are the top things to do and see in Sandsend?

• Diverse accommodation types: Choose from historic eighteenth-century cottages, beachfront apartments, and spacious family homes sleeping up to nine guests, catering to couples, families, and multi-generational groups alike.
• Coastal convenience: Most properties sit within one hundred to three hundred metres of Sandsend Beach with North Sea views, plus walkable access to village shops, pubs, restaurants, and nearby Whitby attractions.
• Character and comfort combined: Enjoy open fires, woodburning stoves, and beamed ceilings alongside modern kitchens, smart televisions, complimentary WiFi, and included heating for authentic yet contemporary coastal retreats.
• Pet and family friendly: Dog-friendly properties with secure gardens feature travel cots, highchairs, and private parking, making holidays with pets and extended families straightforward and welcoming.
• Exceptional guest satisfaction: Properties consistently receive great reviews, with guests highlighting unbeatable beachfront locations, cosy interiors, peaceful village settings, and outstanding service from property owners.

Sandsend offers a diverse range of holiday rentals perfect for every traveller. From charming historic cottages dating back to the 18th century and beachfront apartments with stunning sea views to spacious family homes sleeping up to nine guests, there's an ideal property for your coastal escape. Look out for amenities such as:

• Sea views
• Open fires and woodburning stoves
• Fully equipped kitchens
• Family and pet-friendly options

The diverse range of holiday homes in Sandsend means you're bound to find something to fit your travel group and tastes.

What are the best areas to stay in Sandsend?

Sandsend is best for all visitors – the entire village sits along the picturesque North Yorkshire coast. The table below details areas for specific interests:

Our Sandsend holiday rentals consistently receive outstanding guest reviews, with visitors praise the unbeatable beachfront locations, cosy interiors with character features, and the peaceful village setting. Here are some of our top ranked Sandsend properties from the last year:

1. Peacehaven - 9.7+: Sea views, terrace in the heart of the village, and recent refurbishment creating a romantic retreat for couples seeking coastal charm.
2. Sunnyside Cottage - 9.4+: Historic 18th-century cottage with 150 yards to the beach, open fire, private parking, and dog-friendly garden perfect for families.

Tucked along the North Yorkshire coast next to Whitby, Sandsend pairs a golden sandy beach with the wooded grounds of Mulgrave Estate and easy access to Whitby's harbour, abbey ruins, and cobbled streets just two to three miles away.

✈️What is the best way to get to Sandsend?

Sandsend sits on the North Yorkshire coast a few miles from Whitby. Here are the most common ways to get there:

• By car: The A174 coast road links Sandsend directly to Whitby and Scarborough, while the A171 connects to Guisborough and Middlesbrough.
• By train: The Esk Valley Line connects Middlesbrough to Whitby railway station, around 2 miles from Sandsend, from where a taxi or the coastal bus completes the journey.
• By air: The nearest airports are Leeds Bradford and Teesside, both roughly 1.5 hours' drive away, with Newcastle International a little further north.

🍴Where to eat in Sandsend?

According to Google Maps data and reviews, Sandside Café is the best rated restaurant in Sandsend. Below is a table showing the top 5 highly-rated restaurants hand-picked by our travel experts.

⭐Our guests' recommendation: Our guest traveller Sarah recommends Saltmoore on Sandsend Road: this 2 AA rosette restaurant is led by chef Michael Burgoyne and champions a slow-food, farm-to-table approach using high-quality local and seasonal North Yorkshire ingredients.

☀️When is the best time to visit?

The best time to visit Sandsend is summer (June to August), ideal for swimming, paddling, and long evenings on Sandsend Beach, though it's also the busiest and priciest time to book.

Summer (June–August)

• Best for: Swimming, paddling, and long evenings on Sandsend Beach.
• Weather: Mild to warm, with generally the driest and sunniest conditions of the year.
• Atmosphere: Busy and lively, and the priciest time to book.

Winter (November–March)

• Best for: Fossil hunting after fresh cliff falls, and cosy nights by the woodburner.
• Weather: Cold, with dramatic North Sea storms.
• Atmosphere: Quiet and atmospheric, with the village feeling far removed from the summer crowds.

Shoulder season (April–May and September–October)

• Best for: Quieter village lanes, coastal walks, and fossil hunting at low tide.
• Weather: Mild and changeable, with fewer extremes than summer or winter.
• Atmosphere: Relaxed and considerably quieter than the summer months.

Our Sandsend hosts recommend timing your summer visit to coincide with the Whitby Regatta in August. As well as the annual long-distance swimming races all the way to Whitby, you can expect funfair rides and lively food carts.

1. Hunt for fossils at Saltwick Bay
2. Explore Mulgrave Castle and Woods
3. Try your hand at surfing
4. Browse Turnstone Gallery
5. Visit St Oswald's Church

1. Hunt for fossils at Saltwick Bay

   This Jurassic coastline, protected as an Ancient Monument, is scattered with alum quarry remains, medieval harbour ruins, and fossils including Dactylioceras ammonites embedded near the shore.

2. Explore Mulgrave Castle and Woods

   Surrounded by the greenery of Mulgrave Woods, this ruined fortress of walls, bridges, and towers makes for a scenic woodland walk steeped in history.

3. Try your hand at surfing

   Whitby Surf School, a short drive from the village, runs lessons and equipment hire for all ages along the Yorkshire coastline.

4. Browse Turnstone Gallery

   This local gallery showcases paintings and sculpture from artists inspired by the Sandsend and Whitby coastline.

5. Visit St Oswald's Church

   Standing on the outskirts of the village since the thirteenth century, this church sits on ancient Viking burial grounds and remains an active place of worship today.