Neighbourhood know-how, places and people

Great British Life: Port MulgravePort Mulgrave (Image: Kevin Gibson Photography Ltd)

LOCATION LOCATION

Everyone knows Runswick Bay and it's definitely a honeypot hideaway, but just a short stroll away - and definitely walking distance to the beaches and coastal paths - are the village of Hinderwell and hamlet of Port Mulgrave. These lie between Staithes and Runswick, not far from Whitby and Sandsend. Drivers pass through on their way to Whitby but Port Mulgrave is also popular starting point for a dramatic clifftop section of The Cleveland Way.

The villages snuggle on a stretch of the A174 that hugs the coast from industrial Teesside past Saltburn-by-the-Sea (about 25 minutes' drive) to Whitby. There are train stations at Saltburn and Whitby and regular buses passing through.

Great British Life: Properties in HinderwellProperties in Hinderwell (Image: Kevin Gibson Photography Ltd)

BAG A PROPERTY

It's rare for houses to come on the market in Runswick Bay, and if they do you'd be best off with a lottery win to buy one. Many of the houses are owned by families who have had them for generations - and frankly, who can blame them for staying put? It is a stunning village with homes that look as though they cascade to the shore. By comparison, Hinderwell and Port Mulgrave are places where you will get more bang for your buck in terms of house-buying, though buyers are getting wise to the more affordable properties here. Evidence is the increasing number of holiday properties to let in the villages. In terms of property styles, you'll be spoilt for choice with characterful cottages at good prices for doer-uppers - but even a two-bed renovated cottages with exposed brick walls and beams is available at the time of writing for £112,000 in Port Mulgrave. Nicely renovated three-bedroomed cottages on the high street in Hinderwell are available for around the £250,000 mark. If you want a sea view in these parts, the best chance is in Staithes with a harbourside place currently on the market for £595,000 (see above).

EXPLORE

Great British Life: StaithesStaithes (Image: Archant)

The charm and challenge of this part of the world are the massive views, big skies, Jurassic cliffs and a sense of history that takes in industry, smuggling and smart seaside resorts. So, there's something for all. You can go fishing off the coast, grab the walking boots for a challenge or easy stroll - or just head for the sands and splash away. This is definitely an area for fossil enthusiasts, not to mention photographers and painters who love the changing skies.

Bring your surfboard and brave the chilly waves or watch the boats from Runswick Bay's Sailing Club chartering their way around the bay.

CAFÉ AND COCKTAILS

Great British Life: HInderwell, Port Mulgrave and RunswickHInderwell, Port Mulgrave and Runswick (Image: Kevin Gibson Photography Ltd)

You can't beat a good fluffy fruit scone with jam and cream from Sandside Café at Runswick Bay and The Runswick Bay Hotel isn't a hotel (although they offer B&B) - it's a pub and serving a decent pint and a great view.

In Port Mulgrave the recently opened restaurant No 20 is making waves with its exceptionally good food and an entry in the Good Food Guide. You have to feast on fish and chips in these parts - be assured of the best at the chippy on the Hinderwell High Street - you can eat them on a bench outside or ramble to the coast and plenty of benches. There's a long established local butcher R Lyth & Son on Hinderwell High Street and Whitby Seafish in Staithes is the place to find fresh seafood, a wholesaler who also supplies to the public. Beech Grove Bakery is an independent artisan bakery at the top of the hill in Runswick - facebook.com/hotoven1. At Staithes the Cod and Lobster is full of harbourside atmosphere and decent seafood - a worthy half way point in the round trip from Port Mulgrave to Staithes. For cocktails you might have to head to the bright lights of Whitby on a Saturday night!

RETAIL THERAPY

Great British Life: HinderwellHinderwell (Image: Kevin Gibson Photography Ltd)

Tough going there. Definitely not the land of shopping - apart from buckets and spades - but you don't come here to 'shop 'til you drop'!

Nearby Staithes is worth a visit though for its abundance of galleries - that's a calmer kind of shopping. There's always a great selection of local artists' work at The Staithes Gallery in the centre of the village - can't miss it.