A weekend in Sleights, Nr Whitby

I have just returned from a lovely break away with my friends. There are 5 of us in our gang and we decided that rather than spending money on gifts this year, as we are all turning 30 (Eeeeek!) we would use the money we would have spent on gifts to pay for a mini break away together instead.

We decided book 3 nights in a fantastic cottage (coach house cottage) in the middle of Sleights which is a picturesque village near Whitby.The cottage was just perfect for our group and had everything you could ever need (including hair straighteners). It was a real home from home.

We were very lucky with the weather and felt like we were abroad on Saturday morning! The garden is a real sun trap and we made use of the hot tub, bath robes and garden furniture and were thoroughly relaxed.

In the afternoon Laura (who organised the trip) had booked us into the capello salon next door to our cottage as a surprise and we enjoyed an amazing back massage each. I have been to some pretty expensive spa's in my time and the massage and service I received at Capello's was up there with the best. The therapist really made sure everything was perfect for us and even let us drink champagne in the salon reception between treatments. If you stay in Sleights, definitely check this salon out.

After our relaxing afternoon, it was time to hit the town. A taxi for 5 people was only £8-£10 into Whitby. We enjoyed some fantastic cocktails at Harry's bar  and bar 7. Margarita's are one of my favourite drinks and the one I tried in Harry's bar was perfect.There is a good mix of grown up wine bars, cocktail bars and traditional pubs in Whitby and quite a few of the bars serve tapas and food as well. 

On Sunday we ventured into Whitby again - there is a bus stop just outside of the cottage and it was £4.60 return on the bus. You are spoilt for choice with places to buy Fish n chips in Whitby and most places offer both dine in and takeaway options. We decided to try trenchers and were not disappointed. The chips were pretty perfect! 

We spent the rest of our afternoon browsing the tacky gift shops, eating ice cream, walking along the pier and playin in the amusement arcades. 

When we returned from Whitby we fancied a cosy few hours in the cottage and snuggled up on the sofa's watching a chick flick on the giant tv with the lovely stove warming us up. Add a glass of wine and some chocolate and it was he perfect way to spend a Sunday with friends (even if it did take us a while to figure out how to work everything).

That evening we decided to take a walk around the village - it is so beautiful and we all had cottage envy at some of the beautiful properties for sale in the village. If only we could win the lottery! There is a butchers, shop, tea room, bakery, salon and two pubs in the village of Sleights so pretty much everything you need is at hand. We decided to dine in the Plough pub in Sleights village. This pub was very traditional and although they had ran out of a lot of dishes on Sunday evening, I enjoyed a 2 course Sunday lunch for £9.95. The homemade mashed potato is recommended!

Our weekend away was just what we all needed! Now that we are all 30 our lives seem busier than ever with jobs, children and general life getting in the way and meaning we don't get to spend as much time with our friends as we used to. This little country retreat was the perfect place to catch up and relax and I would highly recommend it.