Breakfast
Full English breakfast is served midweek between 8.00 and 09.00, 8.30 – 9.30 at weekends, using local, largely organic, produce. The menu also offers a range of ‘specials’, smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, American breakfast of pancakes, crispy bacon and maple syrup, a choice of omelettes or a sumptuous continental buffet. Breakfast is served in the conservatory, the dining room, or on the guest patio on bright, warm mornings.
Supper
Guests can pre-book a light supper for the evening they arrive, on Mondays and Tuesdays (when the Anvil is closed) or on other nights by arrangements.
Eating Locally
Increasingly guests are finding that without an advance booking, the Anvil Inn, opposite the house, has been unable to accommodate them for evening meals during their stay. There are many pubs and restaurants within 10-15 min drive and there is the full range of eateries in Scarborough 7 miles away. This list has been prepared for those who prefer the certainty of a table and may not want to travel far to find it. The list is by no means exhaustive; there is information about other places further a field in the guest lounge.
| The Anvil Inn | Sawdon | Characterful ‘gastro-pub’ with excellent reputation, opposite Foxholm, Michelin listed. Gets very busy, even out of season; booking essential. Informative website. Closed on Mondays & Tuesdays | 01723 859896 |
| Brandy Snap Bistro | Thornton-le-Dale 5 miles | A charming Bistro, interesting menu, superb service and excellent wine list Food and service on a par with the Anvil. The restaurant is closed Sundays - Tuesdays (Open Bank holiday Mondays). Booking is always advisable. | 01751 474732 |
| Downe Arms | A 64 Wykeham 2.5 miles | A large ‘Coaching Inn’ on A64 with a pub and restaurant area. – recent guests have recommended the general menu. A good value eatery. | 01723 862471 |
| Coachman | Pickering Rd West Snainton | An Inn serving, gastro-pub style. Food every evening. Early bird 6-7.00 Monday – Thursday, full restaurant menu 7.00 onwards and on Friday & Saturday. | 01723 859231 |
| Denison Arms | East Ayton 3 miles | A classic, very busy, traditional roadside pub. Large menu of typical pub-grub., well cooked, good value. Large portions; they do offer smaller adult portions at reduced cost! | 01723 862131 |
| Copper Horse | Seamer 4.5 miles | Meals in restaurant or bar. Cost on par with Anvil without the character. The restaurant was judged Moors and Coast Best Restaurant of the Year 2008’ and was a 2009 finalist. | 01723 862029 |
| The Forge Tea Room | Brompton-by-Sawdon 1.5 miles |
A charming venue, good food, excellent service. Main courses and light bites 9.30 – 5.00 Closed Sunday & Monday. | 01723 859409 |
The Discover Yorkshire Coast web site lists many restaurants and cafes to be found in Scarborough; please check carefully – we’ve heard that some have changed hands.
Guests not travelling by car can be picked up by prior arrangements from Seamer or Scarborough stations, from bus stops in Brompton-by-Sawdon, Sherburn or central Scarborough or from a suitable point along their route. On Sunday and Monday evenings guests without cars can order a light supper and/or we are happy to provide lifts to a local pub/restaurant within 8miles.
If notified the night before we can provide a packed or self-service breakfast (from 7.00am).for guests wanting to make an early start. We can also provide a packed lunch at an additional charge including, a choice of sandwiches, crisps, and fruit.
We keep a large number of maps and walking guides that guest are welcome to borrow and will even offer to clean your boots when you get back! There are footpaths and way marked trails that run very close to the house for the times when you want to have a car free day.
Further a field lies the Dalby Forest with way marked trails to suit every level of fitness. Every type of walker can find parts of the North York Moors that are suitable and interesting for them to explore. A wide range of maps and guides can be found in the lounge to help you with your planning.
If you like to taste the salt in the air and feel the sea breeze on your face then the beaches near Scarborough, or further a field will beckon.
Wheelchair users, or people with limited mobility can find accessible parking and pathways in Forge Valley and in the Dalby Forest.
We can provide safe overnight storage for bikes and there is an outside tap and hose for washing down bikes, boots and other equipment. In wet weather we can find space in the boiler cupboard for guests’ wet clothes and shoes or boots.
If notified the night before we can provide a packed or self-service breakfast (from 7.00am).for guests wanting to make an early start. We can also provide a packed lunch at an additional charge including, a choice of sandwiches, crisps, and fruit.
The North York Moors National Park has many miles of country roads, bridleways, forest tracks and disused railways which offer ideal routes for cyclists of all ages. Details of suggested routes are available from National Park Centres or guides can be bought ahead through the Park’s online shop. The following selection of routes should whet your appetite for exploration:
Moors to Sea
The Moors to Sea long distance cycle route links the towns of Scarborough, Pickering and Whitby runs close to Sawdon. It runs over 80 miles of forest tracks, lanes, and the former coastal railway, and can be ridden in stages ranging from easy to more challenging. Two stages of the route run through the Wykeham Forest at Highwood Brow (1.5 miles north of Sawdon) one from there to Scarborough, the other to Ravenscar. The path crosses the stunning moorlands of North Yorkshire and through beautiful forests to the dramatic heritage coastline.Pedal and Puff
The North York Moors Authority encourages visitors to explore the moors using bikes and the North Yorkshire Moors steam railway. There are three easy to follow routes between stations and we keep copies of the ‘Pedal and Puff’ leaflet in the guest lounge, or you might prefer to buy aheadCycle the Coast
Enjoy superb seascapes and landscapes on four new cycle routes along the beautiful Heritage Coast. The routes are suitable for the average cyclist on an off-road bicycle and offer many opportunities to stop off and explore along the way. The Park Authority produces a pack of four routes in a handy plastic pocket. Look out for the handy pack of four routes in the guest lounge or buy ahead from their Online Shop.Forest Cycling
There are some great cycling opportunities in the Dalby Forest(8 miles), using either your own bikes or ones from the Purple Mountain Bike Hire Centre. There is a range of graded routes catering for children and families as well as experienced mountain bike enthusiasts. We have some route maps in the guest lounge and Cycling Packs are also available from the Dalby Visitor Centre.
Golf and other sporting activities
There are facilities for every level of golfer – from the nine hole golf course in Sawdon village, the Driving Range and 9-hole course at Snainton to the world famous course at Ganton 8-10 miles away Information about the full range of golf facilities locally click here (pdf).
Sports lovers will appreciate, learning to sail, windsurf or fish at Wykeham Lakes or surfing at Cayton Bay Horse riding is a popular past time in this area and there are a number of riding/trekking centres nearby – Denton Riding Centre in Irton, Staintondale Trekking Centre, in Staintondale, Rosedale Trekking Centre just outside Pickering and ‘The Shod Squad’ at Pheasant Hill Farm in Ebberston. More information about each of these centres can be found here.
Bird watching starts at home – the garden at Foxholm has feeding stations that are replenished daily.. There are identifications guides and binoculars in the lounge for guests to use so it is easy to be an armchair watcher here.
Just a couple of miles from Foxholm are two beautiful view points: Raptor View Point and Highwood Brow – These offer stunning views, picnic tables and are good spots for bird watching and animal spotting. Deer are often seen in the woods and tits, finches and spotted woodpeckers are frequent visitors to the informal feeding station set up by locals.
The Cliff at Bempton and Flamborough are wonderful sites for sea birds – puffins are particularly enticing in late spring/early summer. The RSPB reserve and information centre at Bempton Cliffs has parking, paths and viewing platforms that are fairly accessible for wheelchair users. The Reserve, with access to the cliff viewing platforms is open all year. The visitors centres is open March to November 10 am to 5 pm, winter weekends only 9.30 am to 4 pm.
The Yorkshire Coast area covers the whole spectrum of entertainment.
Scarborough (7 miles). Scarborough is Britain’s oldest seaside resort, and is one of the key major holiday spots today. In addition to its Blue Flag beaches and other typical seaside facilities, there is a castle, galleries, sports facilities and various theatrical venues.
Whitby (20miles) The small fishing town of Whitby is part of the Heritage Coast of North East England. It has unique old world charm, for centuries Whitby has provided a safe haven for shipping and fishing fleets. It has a thriving harbour, intricate narrow streets, various museums and the impressive Abbey ruin overlooking the town
Filey, remains unspoilt; with its panoramic 12 mile vista, with 6 miles of golden sands, it is an ideal place to unwind and relax.
Bridlington has a lifeboat museum, a busy harbour and fun attractions.
York York is easily accessed from Sawdon – either by road (45mins) or by train from nearby Seamer. It is a beautiful historic town with excellent shops and eating places and bars to suit every taste and pocket. There is the magnificent Minster, fabulous museums and excellent entertainment in cinemas and concert halls.
Castle Howard (30mins ) Built in 1699, Castle Howard is, today, still the private home of the Howard family. There is the magnificent house itself, built by the architect Sir John Vanbrugh, and distinguished by its famous dome. Indoors there are enormous collections of art treasures that include important paintings by Canaletto, Holbein, Gainsborough and Reynolds, a magnificent collection of antique sculpture, and the porcelain collections include a spectacular Crown Derby botanical dessert service. Outdoors there are wonderful gardens with a lake, temples and lead statues.
Various exhibitions and events are held throughout the year. For more information click here.
National Trust There are a number of National Trust Properties and sites within easy travelling distance: Beningborough Hall and Gardens, Nunnington Hall and nearby Helmsley for information from the National Trust Sites click here.
Eden Camp (20 miles)A Modern History Museum that will transport you back in time to wartime Britain so you experience the sights, sounds, even the smells of those dangerous years. For more information click here.
Flamingo Land (12 miles) A theme park and zoo with white knuckle thrills, fun rides, animal exhibits and boat rides. For more information click here.
Staintondale (15 miles) Various shows and demonstrations with Shire Horses, Palominos and other horses. Café and shop, picnic and play areas and farm trails. For more information click here.
North Yorks Moor Railway The North Yorkshire Moors Railway operates steam trains along an 18 mile line between the market town of Pickering (8miles) and the village of Grosmont, through the heart of the North York Moors National Park. The railway passes through a variety of scenery, from wooded valley to heather clad moorland. It also calls at picturesque villages along the way and offers access to unspoilt countryside for walkers and cyclists. For more information click here.