Saltburn-by-the-Sea, in North Yorkshire, boasts an eight-mile stretch of sandy beach, a 200-metre pier and the oldest water balanced funicular in operation in Great Britain
Liam Gilliver and Chloe Dobinson Digital Production Editor
09:08, 25 Jun 2025
Saltburn-by-the-Sea – or simply Saltburn – has been a tourist magnet since 1861(Image: Photos by R A Kearton via Getty Images)
A quaint seaside town that has long been overlooked is finally getting its moment in the sun. Often hailed as Britain’s most ‘underrated’ coastal treasure, Saltburn-by-the-Sea – or simply Saltburn – has been a tourist magnet since 1861.
While many UK coastal towns saw a decline following the Benidorm boom, Saltburn has maintained its charm and has been quietly undergoing a significant transformation. Nestled in North Yorkshire under the Redcar and Cleveland authority, this resort boasts an eight-mile stretch of golden sandy beach, bordered by rugged green cliffs.
It’s an idyllic spot for unwinding with a good book, exploring rock pools, or even braving the surf (if you can handle the chilly waters). The town also features Saltburn Pier, which opened in 1869 and extends 200 metres into the North Sea.
However, Saltburn’s crowning glory must be its Cliff Tramway, the oldest water balanced funicular still in operation in Great Britain. For just £2, tourists can enjoy a ride in charming carriages offering stunning sea views and direct access to the beach, reports the Mirror.
Saltburn’s Cliff Tramway costs just £2 where tourists can enjoy a ride in charming carriages(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)READ MORE: British man travels to Spain and supermarket prices leave him gobsmackedREAD MORE: Holidaymaker in Thailand gobsmacked by what he spends on breakfast, lunch and dinner
Yorkshire.com sings the praises of the delightful coastal town Saltburn-by-the-sea, proclaiming it a treasure trove of Victorian charm and excitement.
“From the water balanced cliff lifts to the last remaining pier in Yorkshire, Saltburn promises its visitors an authentic seaside experience! There’s plenty to entertain too as the town has an up and coming arts scene, lots of restaurants and plenty of daring water sports to try.”
In an exclusive chat with the Mirror, Councillor Carrie Richardson, deputy leader and cabinet member for Climate and Culture at Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, lauded Saltburn as one of the region’s most ‘popular and much-loved beauty spots’, noting that visitor numbers are on the rise each year.
“Its unique Victorian charm, which features a traditional pier, a historic water-balanced cliff tramway, boutique BandBs, Italian gardens, a stunning coastline and a vibrant food and drink scene, makes it a truly special place to visit,” she elaborated.
“Saltburn has even featured on BBC’s Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes and Channel 4’s Yorkshire by the Sea. This growing popularity increased the demand for visitor infrastructure, particularly during the peak tourist season.”
Cllr Richardson expressed the council’s delight at witnessing the positive effects recent enhancements have had on both tourists and local hospitality businesses. In total, close to £2 million has been invested in the town to improve accessibility, enhance transport connections, and refurbish deteriorating infrastructure.
Enhancements include a resurfaced footway, new street lighting, and additional seating(Image: Evening Gazette)
The regeneration includes increasing the capacity of the most frequented car park in Saltburn and constructing an overflow car park on adjacent land to accommodate the rising number of tourists. This also incorporates EV charging and infrastructure for motorhomes.
Major enhancements – including a resurfaced footway, new street lighting, and additional seating – have been completed on the Upper Promenade, while essential infrastructure upgrades have been carried out on the Lower Promenade. This includes renewing the historic balustrade.
Saltburn has also witnessed its grade-two listed Albert Memorial landmark – which was falling into disrepair – get restored. Funding was also allocated to improving other local footpaths to make it ‘easier to explore Saltburn on foot’.