Saltburn-by-the-Sea

Saltburn-by-the-Sea is a coastal town along the northeast coast of England that spreads across a sandy beach and an elevated plateau above the cliffs. The beach sits in a sheltered bay with sandstone and shale cliffs, while the upper centre includes parkland, residential streets and shops.

A Quaker industrialist founded the settlement in the mid-19th century as a planned seaside resort and extended railway tracks to the coast. The arrival of the rail line brought workers and holidaymakers from nearby industrial towns and fuelled growth.

The Victorian cliff railway has linked the beach and upper town for over a century and ranks among the oldest water-powered funiculars still in operation worldwide. Visitors can ride in preserved wooden cabins today and watch how a counterbalance system using water moves passengers up and down.

The beach works well for walking at low tide when wide expanses of sand are exposed, while high tide narrows the area. Visitors heading to the upper town can use the steps or take the cliff railway to cover the elevation change.

The pier is the only remaining pleasure structure of its kind in Yorkshire and was originally built to receive passenger ships. Today it serves mostly walkers and anglers who look out to sea from the platform or cast their lines.

Location: Saltburn, Marske and New Marske

Shares border with: Redcar

GPS coordinates: 54.58280,-0.97320

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:21