Saltburn by the Sea 1874

The development of Saltburn by the Sea 1874

From left to right the buildings are Rokeby Villas, Balmoral Terrace, the Zetland Hotel and Britannia Terrace.

In the foreground we can see the Halfpenny Bridge and to the left of the image is the Albert Memorial which was once the portico of Barnard Castle Station. The paths are well laid out but clearly visible as the planting of the grounds is in its infancy.

A Day At Saltburn-By-The-Sea. Stockton Gazette and Middlesbro' Times of July 31st, 1863

' At one glance the eye takes in every variety of scene. Here is the ever-changing and beautiful sea, the yawning precipice, the cloud-capped mountain, there is the craggy peak, the wide - spreading somber moor, and quiet secluded vale. Here are long ridges of blue and undulating hills, whose rocky declivities are dotted with woods which for centuries have waved in the breeze. Such is, indeed, but a faint picture of the scenes in this garden of nature - scenes which, if once beheld, are impressed upon the mind for ever.'

The writer of this article is describing the scenery from the uppermost storey of the newly built Zetland Hotel, 1863.

Penny Hedge

Also known as Horngarth this is believed to be the oldest surviving custom in Britain. An annual custom, unique in its continuity, it involves the Hutton family who rent farm land at Fylingdales near Whitby.

Complaints about unreasonable amounts of wood being sold in 1315 seem to have led to the ritual.
At 9am on the eve of Ascention Day stakes are driven with an ancient mallet into the foreshore below the high tide mark near Boyes Staithe in Whitby harbour. Then osiers are woven among the steaks to form a 'hedge' strong enough to withstand three tides. This done, the baliff of the Court Leet of Fyling blows the horn and shouts 'out upon ye, out upon ye'. The penance 'hedge' is a token, but the belief is that if the hedge is swept away by the tides, the tenancy will be lost.

Ever wondered why ... we eat fish and chips at the seaside?

Ever wondered why fish and chips is the classic British take-away meal?

There really is nothing more British than fish and chips with salt and vinegar. It is one of our Great British Institutions.

The spread of the railways in the late 1800's meant that low cost fish - previously thrown back into the sea because it had no market - could be rapidly carried inland. Cheap fried fish became a staple food of the working classes. They looked for it when on holiday too, and soon there were 'chippies' in every holiday resort.

Where did the combination of fish and chips eaten together originate? Do we really know?

It was the French who invented chips or 'pommes de terre a la mode' from the humble potato believed to have been brought to Europe by Sir Walter Raleigh in the 17th century. In 1839 Charles Dickens refers to a 'fried fish warehouse' in Oliver Twist.

In 1860 Joseph Malin opened a shop in Cleveland Street, Bow, east London, combining Franco-Belgic-Irish chips with fish fried in a style popularised by Portugese Jews. From there the traditional fish and chip shop evolved.

Put them together and enjoy your great seaside take-away while strolling along Saltburn Pier enjoying the scenery or sitting on the rocks with a large mug of tea.... or a pint!