Are pets allowed?
Yes well-behaved pets are welcome to stay on the ground floor of Ruby House, there is a small extra charge of £15 per pet, with a maximum of two per let.
Is there anywhere to eat in Staithes?
Yes! there are plenty of places to eat, see our food section for details. There is a first class fish restaurant - the Endeavour; a welcoming bistro - the Cleveland Corner Cafe; two pubs serving food - The Royal George and The Cod & Lobster; and for immediate food when you arrive on a Friday evening for a long weekend there is a takeaway pizza shop run by an Italian family in the upper village.
Is Ruby House safe for children?
Ruby House doesn’t present too many risks to small children. The stairs are quite steep but we do provide one stair gate. We wouldn’t recommend using the wood burning stove with small children around as it does get very hot and is difficult to guard safely, you won’t need it for warmth because the central heating is very effective. The back patio is surrounded by fences and walls but small children with a penchant for climbing might be able to get over the back wall in two stages so need supervision. The front and back doors have locks and top bolts to prevent escapes.
Is Ruby House suitable for people with mobility problems?
Obviously Ruby House isn’t a bungalow and it doesn’t have a downstairs toilet (unfortunately there is nowhere to put one) but if someone can manage in an ordinary house there are no extra barriers to mobility in Ruby House. The stairs are steep but do have good handrails.
We will be arriving late on the first day of our holiday, does this matter?
No, but you should bring a torch after the hours of darkness to enable you to find the keys that have been left for you. The neighbours are quite used to us arriving at 10pm, but please show them consideration.
If we arrive late will there be anywhere to get food?
The Co-operative store in the upper village is open till 10pm every day and carries a wide range of groceries including bread, milk, wine, and frozen meals. The Italian-run pizza shop in the upper village is open till 11pm and sometimes rather later. Food in the pubs and bistro in the lower village does finish by 8-8.30pm.
Is Ruby House suitable for less than 9 people?
Yes, although Ruby House is a large house it doesn’t feel too big for smaller groups. 3 couples would find it a spacious holiday home. A couple could stay in the luxurious en suite bedroom on the first floor (complete with chandelier) and forget about the two floors above them.
Is bed linen included?
Yes all the beds will be made up with fresh bed linen (Egyptian cotton) on your arrival. You will need to bring your own bathroom towels.
What about car parking?
There is no long term public car parking in the lower part of Staithes but there are two car parks which are only 250m up the Bank from Ruby House. For arrival and departure there is short term (40 minutes) public parking on the road outside the house. The private car park, Glen Vale, is slightly nearer to the house and cheaper at £4.50 a day. It also has the advantage that you are given a traffic cone with a Greystones label on it which you use to reserve your space when you go out. At busy holiday times it is essential to book space in this car park (01947 840590). The main public car park is situated at the top of the Bank on the right as you drive down into the village. The charge for this is £5 per 24 hours payable at the pay & display meter (but in Winter it is free, usually November to January). The advantage of using this car park is that your ticket will be valid at all other long stay car parks run by Scarborough District Council (e.g. in Whitby, Sandsend, Robin Hood’s Bay) which will present a big saving if you intend to visit those places.