Two weekends ago saw this family head to the Yorkshire Coast for a relaxing break to celebrate the launch of Esso Synergy Fuels at the breathtaking 100-acre Raithwaite Estate, a place we’d never visited before, but instantly fell in love with.
A castle-like 4 year old estate with various properties on-site surrounded by landscaped grounds in the coastal North Yorkshire countryside, it’s no wonder it’s the finest hotel in Whitby!
Accessible luxury throughout, children are made to feel entirely welcome and we’ve not experienced such consistently outstanding service anywhere else in the UK.
Luxurious rooms within The Hall and Keep buildings (we stayed in the latter) were massive, ours had a terrace overlooking the grounds with a king size bed, along with two singles for the kids.
Now let me just take a minute to pay some respect to the Queen size bed. IT WAS THE BEST SLEEP OF MY LIFE. Fact.
And not because Oliver was in his bed, and Peter slept in a single with Xander so I had it all to myself (but that was epic too of course) but it was fairytale huge and comfy too (think princess and the pea, without the pea or if it was there, I simply tested as a non-princess)!
…We adored the indoor pool, spa and sauna with every single detail considered from heated loungers to a whirlpool, steam rooms and a perfectly sized pooI that saw me piggy backing the boys for about 100 lengths over the weekend.
Are piggy swims even a thing?! They were to my kids anyway, whose endless requests left me with aching arms but a happy heart. Nothing cuter than two little sea babies having fun right?!
They even got piggy back rides in the room!
There was also a swish gym (we brought wellies but alas no trainers) and the bistro restaurant was pretty spectacular-we might have eaten every dish on the menu! Piggies!
The food was egg-cellent though!
And it wasn’t just the food that was dreamy.
The local countryside, beaches, and nearby North York Moors were the breathtaking backdrop to our scenic wanderings.
The historic town of Whitby is just 5 minutes’ drive away too meaning there’s something for everyone from hunting down classic fish and chips to chomping on fudge or taking in the port, we love it there.
Equally lush were the hotel’s gardens and lake, and our guide, the lovely Aaron who works there, kindly gave us an impromptu tour-how pretty?!
Just divine!
Later we headed to the beach (Sandsend which is 5 minute walk from the Estate) collected stones, splashed around in our wellies. Tried to catch fish. Failed. Laughed. Shot some footage that forms our little video below and basically had a blast.
Sunday saw us head to Ravenscar for Sunday lunch at Raven Hall Hotel for a delicious carvery and a long walk overlooking Robin Hood’s Bay.
There was no where else we would rather be.
Alexander is my mini Heathcliffe here!
Nothing more fun and life affirming than a weekend with my favourite people in the place I love more than anywhere in the world: our gorgeous Yorkshire.
Thank you Esso Synergy Fuels.
Don’t miss our video of the weekend too, we had so much fun making it!
Buy my bestselling book in paperback or audio
Mumboss: The Honest Mum's Guide to Surviving and Thriving at Work and at Home
Available on Amazon or Audible
Hi Vicki, WOW!Is the firs word that springs to mind! The Raithwaite Estate looks stunning both inside and out. Heated loungers! How snooze inducing!
As ever your pictures are stunning and I love the one of you giving your boys a piggy back…. I have to ask… Was your son drinking apple juice or grabbing a sneaky sip of beer?
xx
Debbie recently posted…This Week We’ve Been Totally Baffled…
Haha no, it’s apple juice lovely, it was such a wonderful weekend away, one of the best family breaks we’ve had yet x
The Yorkshire Coast is just idyllic isn’t it! We visit Whitby every year and I love it. It is almost like stepping back in time – the perfect place to reconnect with the family #brilliantblogposts
North East Family Fun recently posted…Losing my blogging mojo and a plan for the future
So, so beautiful and tranquil x
Those gardens! Gorgeous shots, Vicki. Your sons are just too cute!
Thanks Elizabeth we had the most perfect weekend x
Vicki how good was your weekend away??!! The place looks so beautiful, and I’m so envious of that bed and that food! Is there anything better than a really gorgeous hotel… I think not!!
The video is awesome. Great piece of filmmaking!
Catherine x
Catherine, Not Dressed As Lamb recently posted…More Boho Chic in Santorini | Cold Shoulder Top & Wide-Leg Pants
Thanks Catherine, so glad you liked it and a gorgeous hotel really is the best! xx
Love seeing all these photos, but the black and white with you and the boys on your piggy back is the winner for me! I was lucky enough to see some of Yorkshire countryside when visiting you last, it’s lovely and hope to be back again soon. What a fab weekend you ll had xxx
Mirka Moore @Kahanka @Fitness4Mamas recently posted…Crystal Family Ski Day at the Snow Centre
Yay com visit us again Mirka, we loved having you guys stay xx
What an incredible location, just stunning! Take me away with you Vicki, you all look like you’re having so much fun. I want a piggy back swim! 😉
The food made me want to chew my screen. Thanks for the toothache.
Fab post, and your little heartbreakers… *swoon*
Babes about Town recently posted…Interview with Hannah and Natasha of Big Fish Little Fish (+ Win Tickets)!
Aw thanks babe, so want to get you all to Yorkshire, come visit us. Yep, those piggy back swims are hilarious-they really build muscle! xx
My word, Vicki, these pictures are tremendous. Gorgeous shots of a super time – bit envious but glad that you had a good time! x
Amber recently posted…What The Twins Wore For: Their First Birthday Portraits (KyNa Boutique)
Thanks darling, Peter is gifted isn’t he, it was fabulous xx
Vicki, your posts are genuinely always so heartwarming and uplifting. It;s so lovely to see your little family having so much fun together and experiencing beautiful places. Such a gorgeous post!
Elle
http://www.theellenextdoor.com
xx
More than the beauty, the PEOPLE!! Everyone is so kind and helpful in Yorkshire. This looks amazing, next on our bucket list.
Absolutely lovely people, we love being from here and living here, the coast is about an hour and a half drive away x
Amazing scenery and the food looks divine. Looks like you had a very enjoyable family experience x
Sophie recently posted…Miffy’s Adventures Big and Small
We did thanks Sophie, such a wonderful weekend of fun, fresh air and amazing food x
What fantastic pictures! It looks like you had an amazing time. And that bed… I’d like to have the best sleep of my life in a princess bed too please! 🙂 x
Rebecca recently posted…Reasons to be cheerful #2
Amazing isn’t it! And all to myself unlike our Queen size at home that often houses little people too!
It looks so stunning there! So pleased you had a lovely time. Looks like the perfect place t enjoy some quality family time. Thanks for hosting #brilliantblogposts
It was so wonderful, thanks Jodie x
Just WOWzer! LOVE the gardens so stunning. I’m ‘well jell’ as they say
sairish recently posted…Top 5 diets (NO shakes)
Wow, looks like a lovely family weekend away. Gorgeous photos and hotel too. Food looks very scrummy as well! #brilliantblogposts
Julie Downes recently posted…Muddy puddles – Wicked Wednesdays
It was dreamy, thanks xx
I come from Normanby in Middlesbrough which is basically on the border with North Yorkshire. Whitby is one of my favourite places in the world. Living in holland now I really miss those beautiful hills and moors. Gorgeous pictures as always. #brilliantblogposts
Catie: An imperfect mum recently posted…Autism & Us: Positive Ways of Working on self confidence
Oh wow it is wonderful isn’t it, Holland is very pretty too x
Wow that hotel looks amazing, the food looks incredible and your photos are beautiful! I wish I could take photos like that, I definitely need to focus on those at the moment! I used to live in West Yorkshire and I’m still wowed by its beauty when we venture back there 🙂
#brillblogposts
Thanks Becca, my husband took most of these, he is gifted! Yorkshire is so utterly beautiful isn’t it x
Lovely photos and that hotel looks lovely too #brilliantblogposts
Mummy Fever recently posted…Win a little something to help with Christmas dinner
It was such a wonderful place, we can’t wait to return!
That hotel looks awesome & I love Whitby! #brilliantblogposts
Silly Mummy recently posted…You Know The Rules: The Ten Funniest Things The Toddler Said Last Week
Beautiful part of the world x
It’s great to be in a place where kids are welcome 🙂 Makes the holiday so much more relaxing for parents. I love the sound of the pool fun. And the grounds are pretty impressive too.
Joanna @mumbalance recently posted…How to create a successful blog – questions to ask yourself before you start
It was truly wonderful, we loved it 🙂
Wow what a lovely time you all had! The hotel looks divine, as does the food – do I spy Eggs Benedict? My absolute fave. We went to Whitby last year and loved it, so many fun things to do. Becky x #brilliantblogposts
Becky at PinksCharming recently posted…Lino printed lampshade tutorial
Yes, delicious huh! Whitby is fab x
Simply stunning photos, Vick! I have always tried to imagine what Yorkshire must look like as I have been a big fan of James Herriot’s books since a child. Thanks for sharing your life – it has brought back some of my best childhood dreams! Yorkshire is on my bucket list.
El recently posted…A bit of Everything Linky Week 4
Oh how wonderful, you must definitely visit!
Oh this looks divine! The food, the rooms, the gardens! Totally drooling!
Sarah HP recently posted…Switch off Sunday – a TV free experiment
It was so wonderful Sarah x
It looks beautiful, and that view is gorgeous! The food looks great too 🙂 #brilliantblogposts
Jessica Powell recently posted…My Dream Kitchen
Thanks Jessica, the food was superb and it was such a serene break for the whole family x
Is it weird that I think the best part of this would be sleeping in that huge bed alone?
jeremy@thirstydaddy recently posted…The Football Dilemma
Haha not weird, I felt the same Jeremy 😉
Mmm food looks so yum 🙂 #brilliantblogpost xxx
Gianna recently posted…Happy Halloween
Thanks Gianna, gorgeous food!
Honest Mum recently posted…A Weekend by the Yorkshire Coast
This post really shows off what an amazing autumn we’ve had this year, I’m not sure I’ve seen colour like we’ve had this year for a while. Either that or I’m just in love with the world at the moment, this is such a beautiful post, full of precious family and interesting little nooks and crannies created by nature. Thanks for sharing. Stopping by for #brilliantblogposts ox
Lizzie Roles recently posted…Face Time
We really have hun, we had the most amazing weekend away and it’s so wonderful being by the sea x
Ah Whitby, brings back memories. It is a truly stunning location. I can’t quite picture where that hotel would be there, if it’s Ravesncar, coming in from the North, right? Anyway, all your posts about Yorkshire make me want to visit again. Must drag the family up ast some point! As ever, thanks for hosting this great linky.
John Adams recently posted…Experimenting with the Tefal Cook4me multicooker
Please come visit, it’s right opposite Sandsend, only been open a few years, such a gorgeous place!
Wow! How lovely! Looks a great time.
I hope my kids never learn about “piggy swims” or I’ll be in real trouble. Ha
Sunshine Dad | Mike Smith recently posted…What Do My Kids Hate About me?
We loved it thanks, those piggy swims are hard work-don’t tell the kids!
Oh it looks so English and green! Something i´ll always miss about living in England.
My Mummy Likes recently posted…Selfies
So wonderful and lush, you are right 🙂
This look absolutely amazing! Next time can I sneak in your suitcase and come join. Gorgeous photos, the pictures of the food makes me really hungry! Thank you for sharing this and for hosting #brilliantblogposts.
Nadia – ScandiMummy x
Nadia – ScandiMummy recently posted…MAGIC MOMENT MONDAYS
Thanks darling, come along! Seriously wonderful xx
Oh my I’m so tired I would so love to get in that bed. I love Yorkshire i was born and raised there (now in the south) but I go home often! lovely post – beautiful pictures too #brillblogposts
Cx
Thanks Clare, that bed is amazing isn’t it! Yay for another Yorkshire lass too!
What a fab trip you had – The Estate looks lovely, and those gardens look so perfect, what a wonderful place to explore. Glad you had such a great weekend 🙂
Sarah – Craft Invaders recently posted…Pin-Tested! Homemade Firelighters
It was so pretty and relaxing there, we can’t wait to return. Thanks for your lovely comment 🙂
I don’t know what I want to do more. Sleep in that bed or eat all of that food! Looks amazing. #BrilliantBlogPosts
Claire @ life love and dirty dishes recently posted…Rookie Mistakes – A Guest Post by Junebugs Mumma
Bahaha, that made me laugh out loud. Eat in bed then sleep? x
This looks absolutely stunning! I’m expecting more staycations in the UK once our baby boy is born in March so adding this to the top of the list – thanks for sharing. #brillblogposts
Kate recently posted…The importance of mental health (and not taking it for granted)
Oh you would love it Kate, perfect for babies and children x
it looks incredible – my heart is in Yorkshire (born and raised) but now in the south. These pictures make me home sick, looks lush #brilliantblogposts
Rebecca U recently posted…It’s True: You Really Can Save on Your Energy Bills!
Oh wow, didn’t realise you were a Yorkshire lass too, wonderful place-let me know when you next visit x