The Raithwaite Estate ★★★★

It feels like I spent half my childhood running around Whitby’s winding alleys and playing on the long sandy beach, with every summer spent visiting my grandmother at her seaside cottage. It was any child’s paradise – we would splash around in the sea whatever the weather, devour ice creams on the pier, waste countless pennies in the riverside arcades, clamber around the ruins of the abbey and always find time for a game of crazy golf on the clifftops. It was with great excitement therefore that I took up VeryChic’s offer to pack my bags and head back to one of England’s most breath taking stretches of coastline for a stay at the Raithwaite Estate!

This time around it was an altogether more grownup experience, although the passage of time has by no means diminished Whitby’s magic. The Raithwaite Estate is a sophisticated and upmarket country retreat, a huge estate covering over 100 acres and including a series of attractive buildings scattered around the perfectly manicured gardens and rugged parkland. The Rolls Royce parked up outside the converted 19th century Raithwaite Hall hints at the quintessentially British class which characterises the hotel, and the interior makes the same impression. Bespoke furnishings and plush fabrics maintain the traditional country retreat vibe, while there is a healthy splash of contemporary flair to remind you that this is a modern luxurious hotel.

Each of the bedrooms demonstrates this eye-catching balance, and the décor is complemented by high tech amenities, delightfully comfortable bed linens and beautiful, spacious bathrooms. Meanwhile, mine also boasted a private balcony with gorgeous views over the gardens. However, in the spirit of my grownup getaway I quickly set down my suitcase upon arrival and headed down to the spa. After a relaxing dip in the heated pool, I tried out the Jacuzzi, steam room and sauna, as well as treating myself to a pre-booked massage. I stopped short of a workout in the gym though, since I was eager to get out and stretch my legs with a walk along the seaside to Sandsend, a quaint coastal village with plenty of charm of its own to go with its stunning views over the long sandy beach, dramatic cliffs and Whitby Abbey in the background.

Whether it’s along the sea shore, up and down Whitby’s steep, winding streets or through the spectacular scenery of the North York Moors, there is no shortage of walking to be done around here. My gentle stroll was more than enough to make me feel as if I had earned a hearty meal back at the Raithwaite Estate, so I headed to the bar to sip a pre-dinner pint and decide between the Brace Restaurant and the Hunter’s Lounge. Both offer some delicious English cuisine made from locally-sourced, high quality ingredients, and I noticed that even the bar offered a tantalising menu of afternoon tea treats. In the end I went for the Hunter’s Lounge, whose menu of traditional Yorkshire pub classics is served up in a cool and contemporary dining room, bathed in natural light thanks to the glass ceiling. A sizzling steak and a treacle tart certainly hit the spot, and instantly helped nurse my weary legs back to life.

After a deep sleep in my huge bed, the fine dining continued the next morning with a delicious breakfast. Though the Whitby kippers and the continental buffet were both tempting, I couldn’t resist the full English breakfast, the perfect way to set yourself up for the day. I was soon feeling energised enough to try out one of the country pursuits which the hotel is delighted to arrange for its guests, including mountain biking, shooting, fishing, water sports and archery.

However, I decided there would be plenty of time for these in the days ahead, and instead I excitedly made my way to Whitby’s town centre. I revisited all my old haunts, climbing the 199 steps up to the abbey, watching the boats come and go into the harbour and tucking into a generous portion of fish and chips on the pier. And yes, I even released my inner child with a quick round of crazy golf and a spot of sandcastle building on the beach. The Raithwaite Estate may be a sophisticated and grown up country retreat, but Whitby will always be a place of youthful excitement and adventure – the perfect balance for an unforgettable seaside stay!