Emerald Street, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire

Emerald Street, one of Saltburn-by-the-Sea's so-termed 'Jewel Streets', is the setting for this handsome five-bedroom Victorian house. Bay windows project from its red masonry frontage, which is dressed with bands of white string courses and adorning dog-toothed brickwork. Inside, its lofty and well-proportioned rooms have been sensitively renovated and embellished with the likes of decorative mouldings, stained glass and pine floors. From Emerald Street, Saltburn-by-the-Sea's independent shops, cafés, pubs and vast shoreline are a short stroll away.

Setting the Scene

The seaside resort of Saltburn-by-the-Sea was founded in the 1860s by 19th-century industrialist Henry Pease. Once an important Victorian bathing resort, it has many fine examples of grand civic architecture; examples include its train station, the Zetland Hotel and the beautiful Cliff Lift funicular – Britain’s oldest working water-balanced inclined tramway, which still runs from the tops down to the pleasure pier.

The 'Jewel Streets' – amber, pearl, diamond, emerald, ruby, coral and garnet – were designed using a gridiron layout. It was one of the UK's first housing estates and was configured to ensure that each home had a glimpse of the sea.

The Grand Tour

Set back from the street, entry to the house is via a neat front garden planted with evergreens and vibrant flowers. At the end of a short path, the house’s six-panel front door is recessed within a red-brick façade and is topped with a fanlight set under the flat-arched opening.

In typical Victorian fashion, the front door opens to a vestibule where an original brown-and-white-tiled floor runs underfoot. Beyond lies an impressive inner screen, formed from pine and colourful stained-glass decorative panels.

To the right of the hallway is the living room, where a tripartite bay window draws a wonderful light across oiled pine floorboards and soft-coloured walls. The old fireplace centres the room; this, along with intricate cornicing and a ceiling rose, lends the space a certain elegance.

A pair of half-glazed doors separate the sitting room from the dining room beyond. There is plenty of space for a long table in the latter, while recesses on either side of the fireplace are handy nooks to install crockery-displaying cabinetry. Picture rails adorn the wall here, and a large window overlooks the rear patio.

The kitchen is at the rear and is composed of generous duck-egg-coloured cabinetry with a backsplash of glossy white subway tiles. There is space for a breakfast table to be set at one end of the room, and further storage cupboards and a dresser have been built into an old chimney breast. A pair of south-facing windows usher in light and a six-panel door leads direct to the rear patio.

A staircase with stripped-back timber treads and painted risers ascends from the main hallway. At the half-landing, beyond a wide arch, lies the first of the five double bedrooms and a family bathroom. A further two bedrooms, including the main suite and its en suite bathroom, sit on the first floor. The sweeping stair continues to the second floor, where two additional bedrooms are tucked into the generous eaves and roof space.

The Great Outdoors

The house is bookmarked by a small front garden and a sheltered courtyard at its rear. Orientated west, and full of uplifting colourful planting incorporated along the painted timber fencing, the street-facing terrace is a delightful evening’s resting spot to capture the sinking sun.

At the rear, the living spaces guide toward the sheltered easterly patio, which is encased by white-washed brickwork walls and grounded with pebbly shingle. Leafy ferns thrive here, creating a verdant backdrop for a morning's coffee and crossword.

Out and About

Only a five-minute walk from the house, the cliff-lined and sandy coast line has a wonderfully long promenade. It is ideal for brisk coastal walks, which can be finished at the Headland Espresso at Radcar, a mobile van brewing delectable coffee. If heartier sustenance is required, Gilbey’s café and bistro serves a changing menu of seasonal dishes.

Among the thoughtfully laid-out streets are a collection of cosy cafés, bars and restaurants. Local favourites include The Sitting Room, which does exceptional hot chocolates, Scoundrels coffee shop, The Guns Bar and Rapps Café.

Saltburn is also home to a variety of markets and events throughout the year, including the monthly Saltburn Market and Food Festival; the Cheese Festival was also a tremendous hit in 2023. Other much-loved independent provisors include Earthstore for clothing, homewares and accessories; The Book Cornershop to pick up the latest must-read; and Ripping Yarns, a treasure trove for knitters and crochet fans.

The beach itself is a popular surf spot with its wide sandy stretches partially sheltered by the bay. Along the front are cafés and concessions dotted amongst the colourful beach huts, including wonderful seafood restaurant The Seaview. It is a perfect starting point for exploring this dramatic stretch of coast which stretches along the Cleveland Way, a long-distance footpath that runs for 109 miles along the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Coast.

There are state-run primary and secondary schools in Saltburn-by-the-Sea, as well as private options within driving distance.

The characterful towns of Staithes and Whitby are also a short drive away.

Council Tax Band: B