Sunnyside Cottage

CONFESSION TIME - What’s the most indulgent thing you’ve done for your dog?

I decided Patch ‘had to have his own holiday cottage’ after meeting another cottage owner in the pub.

We were in Smuggler's Inn and met a couple who told us their dog would get out of the car and run down the hill and wait outside their cottage door.

And that was it, I thought, ‘Patch has to have his own holiday cottage!’

Then sold my old house and went on the hunt for one, and six months later put in an offer for Sunnyside.

I’m chatting about this and why I went on a mission to be as dog crazy as possible on Canicross Conversations podcast, plus where to go running if you love canicross.

Thanks Louise and Michelle for a great chat.

You can listen in here!

https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-7ifbc-16358a0

RUNNERS 🏃‍♀️ 🏃‍♂️ What's your fave route from Robin Hood's Bay?

Yesterday I was chatting to Louise and Michelle from Canicross Conversations, a brilliant podcast for runners about the cottage and running.

They were asking about where to go, so I talked about the beach being quite runner friendly and the Cinder Track to Whitby which is a nice flat-ish six miles.

If you're a runner and have a route you love, do let me know and I can share it with them.

AND - we also have some Canicross gear in the cottage now thanks to our lovely guest and friend Emily from K9 Trail Time so you can try it out if you'd like to run with your dog - there's a running/hiking belt and a bungee lead.

You'll find it in the borrow box at the top of the stairs.

SUMMER ☀️ AVAILABILTY

We only have TWO sets of dates left for the summer and want to say a HUGE thank you to you for booking in and telling people about us.

It really means so much.

Here are Frank and Brenda from Franky's Bowtique who stayed with us with their mum Kerry last August showing their holiday snaps.

And if you've been thinking of coming to stay, here are your options:

In June, we have two nights left, Sat 15th and Sun 16th for £300.

For the Summer Hols

In August we have one from 9th - 15th August and rates are 3 nights £435, 4 nights £545 and a week for £740.

If you'd like to book, send us a message or head to Baytown Holiday Cottages website below.

Thanks once again for making the Sunnyside dream come true for us!

Thank you for answering my ENDLESS questions about dog-friendly and what you like and don't like when you travel with your dog.

There was a purpose to it - well a few - it's really helpful research for me as a business owner and I will be acting on some of the recommendations.

(there are limits as the cottage is TINY but I will do my best)

The other reason I was asking is because I wanted to write about it for my pet blog - it's called The Paw Post Uk and I cover dog-friendly travel.

I wanted to tackle the difference between dog tolerant, friendly, welcoming and red carpet.

If you'd like to have a read you'll find:

🛏️ Places we've stayed and the difference between them
🔍 How to ensure your 'dog-friendly' place truly is and the signs to look for and best places to find destinations
🚫 What to do if you find yourself in a 'not-very-dog-friendly' place
📝 The law and where you stand if you're not happy with your 'dog friendly' destination

You can read it here and thank you so much for all your help with it. Lots of your comments are included. Let's raise the bar for pawents.

https://thepawpost.co.uk/travel/difference-dog-friendly-welcoming-red-carpet/

Special mentions for Baytown Holiday Cottages for their support, Sue East Ruston Cottages for setting the standard of what I wanted to aspire to (Sue is a client in my other coaching business) Letheringham Water Mill Jacqui for my first ever invite to review a dog friendly place and Kerry Fur & Fables for the images.

Your thoughts please on making the dogs feel special....

We know 'dog-friendly' can mean lots of different things, so I'm looking for examples of places that are dog welcoming or dog red carpet for my pet blog.

And I wondered if you could to share things you've experienced.

For example, we stayed at Woodpecker Lodge with East Ruston Cottages and they provided dog buggies in the cottage if we needed them. That's dog red carpet.

At Letheringham Water Mill the rules are ‘NO RULES' and you get a welcome pack, throws and everything you need for your pup. That's truly dog welcoming.

I'd love to hear your experiences and do please recommend places that go the extra mile for our dogs.

📸 from Dog Furiendly of Minnie checking out the borrow box - head to the link below ⬇️ for what her human Adele had to say!

https://houndy.dogfuriendly.com/sunnyside-cottage-most-dog-loving-escape-in-robin-hoods-bay/

Love stuff like this

Stunning then and now comparison of Robin Hood's Bay, a picturesque old fishing village in Yorkshire.

TOWELS - do you expect them when you go away?

Yes, it's time for another of my quite boring but also important questions....

Most of the stuff you see in Sunnyside eg Dogrobes, bowls, walking bags, balls are things I usually forget to pack for Patch and I figure others will too.

Then there's the humans - I always forget to check whether a place has towels and often have to buy a beach towel for the stay!

(I've also forgotten to check a place even had bedding once on a trip away with Kerry Fur & Fables and had to buy a quilt, pillows and duvet set)

So, do you expect towels when you go away?

A simple yes or no will suffice!

Thanks as always (and yes we provide hand towels and bath towel for each guest)

How fab does the new Park House Pies shop look?

I’ve got so much FOMO! Can’t wait to come back and try the new pies and goodies!

Have you been yet? Let me know your verdict!

I was listening to the radio this morning about how long you should leave a tea bag in for the perfect brew.

I'm going to go for THREE mins but Zoe Ball was talking about a bloke who says SEVEN is the optimum time.

Or, are you a stir and squeezer?!

Give me a 3 for 3, a 7 for 7 and a S for squeeze if you're pushed for time, or if it's something else, I'd love to hear.

☕️ from Jessica Hogarth Shop
😍 tea bags included when you stay at Sunnyside Cottage.

Let me know wh

Time for the ‘beach looking different’ post and some snaps of Patch and the village in the sunshine today.

We went for a walk at 5pm and had the whole beach to ourselves pretty much - it was glorious.

Where else do you get that hey?!

What do you do when you’re a new holiday cottage owner and you have the woman who has won the Dog Friendly Best Cottages award FIVE times running come to stay?

And she’s comparing your cottage with another ‘dog friendly’ property?

Not gonna lie, I panicked a bit. It’s a bit like having the Jay Rayner of the doggy holiday world pay you a visit.

But Sue from East Ruston Cottages is a friend and we met a few years back when she did my Get Your Pet Business in the Press course.

We had many a chat about my dream to have a cottage and she gave me loads of advice, so when I opened the doors at Sunnyside I invited her to check it out along with her dogs Mabel and Ernie and hubby Roger.

She’s just shared a blog post which is just blinking lovely and here's a snippet…

"What we loved about it - and what made it totally dog welcoming - was that dogs were allowed everywhere; on the furniture (throws supplied) and on beds too (with a throw supplied).

"There were lovely treats for them in the welcome basket, a basket upstairs with all SORTS of really helpful things we could borrow if needed – beds, toys, harnesses, dog bags and more – even some yellow lead slips from My Anxious Dog.

"There was hanging space specifically for leads, dog harnesses and more. For a tiny little cottage, a LOT of doggy extras were packed in and very much appreciated.”

Thanks so much Sue for this lovely review, and if you’d like a read, head to the link below. We came out quite well I’d say!

And if you’re going to Norfolk, or looking for a cottage where you can take as many dogs as you like (seriously, the record is 16) you’ve got to check out ERC, they’re amazing!

https://www.eastrustoncottages.co.uk/dog-friendly-holiday-cottage-robin-hoods-bay/

Dogs and beds 🛌 🐶 what are your thoughts...

Should they be on the bed? Give me an 'on'

Or in the bed? Give me an 'in'

Or nowhere near the human bed? Give me a 'no!'

I think you can guess which one Patch would go for!

PS - this pic is from when we had to fake a bed for the first photo shoot with Kerry Fur & Fables before we opened the doors to Sunnyside.

I got rid of the old single beds on the top floor, and ordered a bed, only to find it couldnt' fit up the stairs, so this is one we made from four boxes of wine and a blow up mattress!

Anyway, are you an 'on', an 'in' or a 'no!'

Patch is an 'in'

🌞 Sunnyside in the summer is such a fab place to be! (Look at Patch smiling - says it all!)

You have the bench outside to sit and eat your fish and chips or have a glass of fizz 🥂 - or both! 🍟

The beach a minute's walk away (yes, we timed it) 🏖️

So many amazing places to eat and drink two ice cream shops 🍦, two chippies 🐟, a dinosaur museum 🦕, a museum 🏛️, ghost and smugglers walks 👻, shops with everything from cool clothes to gorgeous RHB goodies, the new PIE shop 🥧 and so much more.

If you fancy having Sunnyside as your base this summer ☀️, these are the arrival dates we have left:

📅 Monday 5th August
📅 Friday 9th August
📅 Monday 12th August

The last full week we have in August is from 5th - 12th.

We also have a cancellation for next week, Friday May 17th to Friday May 24th if you’re looking for something sooner.

If you'd like to book in, head to our page on Baytown Holiday Cottages or send me a DM.

What's the most un-dog friendly thing you've experienced while staying in a 'dog friendly' place?

Stuff like 'no dogs on the furniture,' that sort of thing!

Let us know ⬇️

🌞 MAY new availability - if you fancy staying in Sunnyside this spring we now have a whole WEEK free in the cottage, beginning on the weekend May 17th - 24th.

🌊 Come and enjoy the Bay when the weather's warming up and it's not too busy as the kids are in school.

🐶 Dogs stay free, saving you up to £50!

📢 Because this is a cancellation, if you book in this time frame you get one night free for a booking of three nights or more.

So, book for three nights, pay for two - £300
Book for four nights, pay for three - £365
Book for five nights, pay for four - £420
Book for six nights, pay for five - £485
Book for seven nights, pay for six - £525

✨ How to claim this - send me a message and I will let Sam and Sian at Baytown Holiday Cottages know that you have the extra night.

Or ring Baytown on 07703 457229 or email [email protected]

Head here to book: https://baytownholidaycottages.co.uk/our-cottages/property?s=sunnyside-cottage-robin-hoods-bay

I've just had a message asking to book in for May and I'm always so gutted when people want to come and stay and we're booked up.

What we do have is...

In June, we have two nights left, Sat 15th and Sun 16th for £300.

For the Summer Hols - this is a photo from Adele Dog Furiendly who came to stay last summer with her little boy Bobby and Charlie and Minnie and called us 'the most dog-loving cottage!'

Thanks Adele. I'll pop the link to the full review which has loads about things to do with kids at the end of this post.

In August we have two weeks from 2nd - 15th August and rates are 3 nights £435, 4 nights £545 and a week for £740.

In September we have Mon 9th and Tues 10th - £300, Mon 23rd, Tuesday 24th and Weds 25th - £375.

If you'd like to read how Adele and her family found RHB head here: https://houndy.dogfuriendly.com/sunnyside-cottage-most-dog-loving-escape-in-robin-hoods-bay/

And if you'd like to book, head to our page on Baytown Holiday Cottages here: https://baytownholidaycottages.co.uk/our-cottages/property?s=sunnyside-cottage-robin-hoods-bay

Two of my fave things together, pie 🥧 and Robin Hood’s Bay!

Anyone else as excited as me about Park House Pies opening?

Car parking - this is a frequent question and I thought I’d do a post on parking in Robin Hood’s Bay.

There are council car parks - Station Car Park - opposite the Grosvenor Hotel, and Bank Top Car Park, opposite The Victoria Hotel. Both use the Ringo app.

If you’re really lucky, you might have a car park permit with your cottage (we don’t) for Fisherhead car park in the middle of the village.

You can pay for spaces there, and send me a message if you’d like the details of who to contact.

As we don’t have a space, you have to park at the top of the hill in one of the two car parks.

If you’ve not been before, the village has a single track road and it’s very narrow - I always say to friends ‘bring your smallest car.’

I have a Polo so I’m ok, but I have scraped it on a bollard when another van came down the hill as I was driving up, much to the hilarity of the people who were sat outside The Laurel and heard the scraping.

You CAN drive down to unload, and this photo shows you where you can do a 3 (or more) point turn.

There’s a really useful article on it here: https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/24253721.park-robin-hoods-bay-public-car-parks/

"To know and have known the love of a little dog is a truly wonderful thing."

This, taken from Anna Danielle, a wonderful creative who makes gorgeous gifts at The Little Dog Laughed is so fitting today as it's six years since we said goodbye to Daisy.

She was a very special dog who I shared my life with for nine years, and who was there when I fell in love with the bay.

One of our guests Becky from Meet the Sprockers - Surrey left this adorable treat tin and this heartwarming book, A Dog's Life, created by Anna who was supported by Becky to celebrate rescue dogs and raise money for Dog's Trust.

I hope Daisy, my first rescue dog who isn't unlike to the pup on the cover, is looking down and wagging her tail in approval at the crazy dog lady she turned me into.

Although I think she may be a bit miffed at Patch having EVEN MORE holidays than she did!

You can read the book in the cottage, and isn't it just the most lovely quote? Go and hug those pups # # #

Does your dog have a holiday 'pawd-robe?'

Please say it's not just me! It's where you have outfits for them to match where they're going.

I'm getting organised as I'm back at the cottage next weekend - I'm so excited - and one thing I've just packed is Patch's RHB collar, bandana and lead made by my friend Kim Leo Charley and Me

Plus his fleece and Dogrobes drying coat - both in nautical blue.

He had a nautical set before I bought the cottage and he's also got a Lakes and Fells one from Moo Moo and Bear for when he goes to the Lakes.

Anyone else do this?

PS - if you stay with us and you like doing things like this, don't worry, because you get either a bandana, bowtie or collar flower as part of your welcome pack.

Why I decided to make Sunnyside Cottage so dog-bonkers

I was fed up with staying in 'dog-friendly' places, only to arrive and be greeted by a list of rules.

😣 Things like 'paws on the floor,' 'keep dogs downstairs,' and 'no dogs on the furniture.'

Meanwhile, at home, Patch was used to being in the bed, lording it on the sofa, and having the run of the house.

I'd worry about being told off, and getting bills to pay for paw prints on the duvet at the end of our holiday.

I'd also fret about Patch feeling confused about being barked at to stay in his bed all the time when he was used to booting ME off the sofa at home.

🌞🏡 So I decided I wanted to make Sunnyside Cottage the kind of place I always wanted to stay in.

Where, as a dog owner, you can relax, a home from home, with everything you need on your doggie holiday, including all the things you tend to forget.

Like comfy beds, dog walking bags, Dog Robes, water bottles - all the stuff I'd always leave at home.

I'm sharing this for today as pets ARE family and should be able to have holidays to treasure. Not be chastised on arrival by a bunch of sniffy rules!

If you like how we do things at Sunnyside and you'd like to stay, we have a couple of weeks in August left for this summer and two days in June.

Head to the link here on Baytown Holiday Cottages to find out more: https://baytownholidaycottages.co.uk/our-cottages/property?s=sunnyside-cottage-robin-hoods-bay

Patch here, I've pinched mum's phone because it's a VERY impawtent day.

It's called Dog Parent Appreciation Day and it means you have to show your pawrents you love them. ❤️

And I have a brilliant idea for you, take them on a holiday to Robin Hood's Bay. 🏖

That is the best thing you can do so they know how much you appreciate them.

🍻 You can take them to the pub

🏖️ You can take them to play on the beach

🛍️ You can take them in the shops

🍦 You can take them for ice creams

🐟 You can sniff out the best fish and chips

And lots more. 🐾

So for , arrange a stay in the best place for dogs and dog mums and dads!

PS - if my house is busy, Eddie the pug has some very clever humans, Sam and Sian Baytown Holiday Cottages, who can find you another house, they have loads!

Have you ever tried a Dogrobes dog drying coat?

They're like a dressing gown and modelled beautifully here by Morgan and Minnie from Meet the Sprockers - Surrey

I had a few sniggers when I said I was going to provide them for the dogs at Sunnyside.

BUT the guests love them and find them so handy after a muddy or soggy walk.

The dogs can dry off, and it helps protect the furniture too.

We met Margaret, the founder, just before getting the keys last year at Crufts and she arranged for us to have them personalised with Sunnyside Cottage on them and we now have a DOZEN in red, blue and grey.

AND if you LOVE them too and you stay at Sunnyside, we have exciting news. As a guest you get a generous discount if you'd like to buy one.

Send us a message if you do and I'll send the code, and you can check them out here: https://dogrobes.co.uk/

Do you have a favourite walk to do from Robin Hood’s Bay?

We’re right at the bottom of the village and these are some of ours that you can enjoy from the front door and a few where you have to tackle the hill!

I’ve put numbers on them, let us know which one you like the most or tell us your own!

1️⃣ Beach walk to Ravenscar 🏖️
2️⃣ Beach walk to the Shipwreck ⛵
3️⃣ Coastal path to Boggle Hole Cafe for a cheese and ham toastie 🥪 and chips 🍟
4️⃣ 14 steps from the cottage to Brambles Bistro for a burger 🍔
5️⃣ 14 steps from the cottage to Smuggler's Inn for a pizza 🍕
6️⃣ Around the village to look at the pretty houses 🏘️
7️⃣ Coastal path walk to Whitby Brewery for a pint 🍺 and a pizza 🍕
8️⃣ Cinder track to Whitby 🚶‍♂️
9️⃣ Cinder track to Ravenscar 🚶‍♀️
🔟 All of the above

What's it like to stay at Sunnyside Cottage for kids?

Over to our latest guest, Harry, seven, from Birmingham, who has been staying over Easter with his little sister Elodie, five, his mum Julia and dad James.

Harry says: "I loved staying in this cottage. Me and my sister loved the beach and the playground. We would like to stay again. Love Harry aged 7 x."

Thanks Harry for your lovely words (swipe to read) and it's so great to hear you've enjoyed your hols!

PS - Harry's mum says they also enjoyed eating fish and chips, having a curry, making sand castles, having a ghost tour with their dad James, a terrifying cyclone ride at Scarborough, lunch at Brambles and taking a look round the local watering holes 🍻 🍾

There's loads to do for kids in Robin Hood's Bay, so if you fancy coming this summer and staying at Sunnyside, take it from Harry, you're in for a great time!

You snooze you lose - on a summer holiday in Sunnyside this year🧳

We've just checked the calendar and these are the dates we have remaining, so if you fancy coming to visit, now's the time to book!

These are the last dates:

2 night stay - Sat 15th and Sunday 16th June (£300)
2 night stay - Sat 20th and Sunday 21st July (£300 - you're going to need to dm me or Baytown to book these dates at it's just going into the Summer hols)
3, 4 or 7 night stay - Weeks commending Friday August 2nd and Friday August 9th (£430, £545 or £740)

Remember dogs stay free, catch the rays outside on the bench on Sunnyside, there's so much for kids to do, the BEST fish and chips ever just a few steps and we're a one minute walk to the beach.

What's not to love about that! Any questions on these dates, send me a DM or head to our page on Baytown Holiday Cottages on the link below to book your stay.

https://baytownholidaycottages.co.uk/our-cottages/property?s=sunnyside-cottage-robin-hoods-bay

Hello from the Sunnyside 🌞

It’s the first afternoon of the year on the bench, with the sun out!

Anyone fancy a last minute stay at Sunnyside Cottage this Christmas?

We are sad to share we have had the most unwelcome gift of Covid so won't be able to visit.

And if you've been following us since the decs went up on the 19th November, you'll know we've been very excited about Christmas.

Anyway, waiting for you in the cottage is...

🐶 A doggy stocking
🍬 Treats for you
🍾 Fizz
🍫 Chocolates
🥛 Heck, there's even a pint of milk in the fridge.

We are GUTTED not to be able to go, but if you'd like to have a last minute stay, the cottage is available from now until the 30th.

Send me a DM to arrange.