Sunnyvale House

The smell of salt and kippers drifts up from Whitby town on a clear morning, and from Sunnyvale House you're close enough to hear the gulls squabbling over the harbour wall.

This one's a bit of a hybrid — a guest house that also runs camping pods, so you've got options depending on whether you fancy a proper bed or something closer to camping. It's year-round, which makes it handy for storm-watching weekends or off-season breaks when the abbey's moody and the fish and chip queues have thinned out. Dogs are a maybe, so ask ahead if you're bringing one. Whitby's the draw here — Gothic drama, seafront walks, the 199 steps, and enough jet jewellery shops to keep you browsing between tides.

Facilities aren't specified, so assume basics and check what's included when you book. Campfires are a 'check on arrival' situation. It's more boutique bolt-hole than wild camping, ideal for couples or small groups wanting a foothold in Whitby without the full hotel experience.