Saltburn-by-the-Sea

Saltburn by the Sea is a seaside resort with a dark, deep maritime past that still permeates the air. Formerly an upmarket resort for Victorians, this small town can be found on the North East coast, just south of its larger neighbour, Redcar.

The Spa town of Saltburn is well known for its Victorian buildings, railway station, water powered cliff lift and impressive pier that extends 200 metres from the shoreline. The rugged coastline hides its secret illicit trading history.

The coastline here is also a draw for surfers who come from across the country to brave the chilly waters of the North Sea.

Saltburn is still a relaxed resort, with a charm and character that’s distinctly Victorian. Many features remain from the Victorian era. The formal Italian Gardens are linked to the shore by a miniature railway and the unique cliff lift, which opened in 1884; it is Britain’s oldest operating water-balanced cliff lift. The lift affords panoramic views during its gentle descent to this coast’s only pier.

Saltburn’s shingle and sandy beach near the pier has also gained a Seaside Award which reflects the on-going efforts to keep the coastline as beautiful and clean as possible. The Seaside Award takes into account water quality, beach safety, dog-free zones, quality of signage for tourists and beach cleanliness. A weekly cleaning programme is in place for the area of the beaches patrolled by lifeguards.

At Saltburn you can expect to find excellent surfing conditions, you’ll find great beach breaks on either side of the pier, which work best at high tide and are well suited to beginners and intermediates. It has a North facing break that picks up most swell on this stretch of coast. To the south are more powerful breaks appreciated by experienced surfers, who also come here for the reef and point breaks scattered along this section of the North Sea coast. There is a Surf Shop on the beach front which offers the opportunity for the adventurous to experience the thrills of surfing, boogie boarding, surf skiing or windsurfing - everything from an hour’s tuition to a day’s full surfing for the keen enthusiast.

Saltburn has many specialist shops where you can find antiques, second hand books, jewellery, furniture, country wear, health foods, flowers, arts & crafts, fishing tackle, surf and street wear, wet fish, fresh bread and meats. The town also has many charity shops helping local churches and organisations, the list is endless!