This charming cottage in Robin Hood's Bay has character in spades. Its interior, filled with quirky maritime antiques, harks back to the town's smuggler history – in the eighteenth century, silk, tea, and gin were illegally brought ashore on the Yorkshire coast in such quantities that the alcohol was used for cleaning windows. Even today, the lively village is full of winding narrow lanes, with fishermen selling their fresh catch of the day. Walk for two minutes, and you'll be on the sandy beach - perfect for sunbathing or rock pool exploration. The village of Robin Hood's Bay is just five miles from the seaside delights of Whitby (and its two-mile-long beach). It's also part of the North York Moors National Park, so you can forget about the city and hike through unspoiled nature or take the authentic steam train through the hills for a more relaxed scenic journey. After a long day of seeing the sights, return to this special cottage to warm up by the open fire or get the barbecue going on the patio in the summer months (perhaps accompanied by a gin and tonic you've smuggled in).