THE Bay at Filey is a development of holiday homes by the sea that seems determined to be different, as we found when staying there earlier this month.

Indeed, one’s first impression driving down the tree-lined boulevard is that Prince Charles’s Poundbury development in Dorset has been somehow airlifted north to the Yorkshire coast. The quiet streets of the village are lined with quaint, brick-clad homes in a jumble of designs, lit with old-fashioned street lamps.

We were staying not in these but in one of the "New England style" wooden beach huts. Laid out along a nicely landscaped street, the maritime heritage of the area is imbued into every aspect of the pastel blue huts. Each one has a little individual drive made of driftwood planks and a weathered decking area. Inside, the cabins are rather luxurious. An open-plan living area features sofas, a cosy wood burner and a plush kitchen complete with – well – everything. There were two bedrooms with a bathroom each, and the place was kept toasty by a boiler and what felt like under-floor heating. There was also a range of games so you don’t have to bring your own, and wi-fi.

The rolling North Sea, a two-minute walk away, is a constant presence. The Bay is very new. Indeed, there is evidence of touches of landscaping and construction around the village, though these do not affect the quiet, serene atmosphere.

We had dinner the first night at John Paul Jones, an onsite pub. It had a warm and welcoming atmosphere, a pool table, and was dog friendly.

On Saturday, when the surprisingly warm March sun started to burn off the pale sea mist, we walked along the beach to Filey. A private footpath leads from the Bay down to Hunmanby sands, the large, sweeping sandy beach which stretches from Speeton up to Filey Brigg. This is surely one of the country's great beaches. It's a paradise for dog-walkers, kite-flyers and sand-castle-architects. The sea was calm and blue. Young people were scouring the bald cliffs for fossils.

Filey is a great place for a coffee and an ice cream. We had a look on TripAdviser for other things to see. In season, the Filey Bird Garden looked good, as does the local museum. And there are a hundred things to fill one’s time in the surrounding area. Birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts flock to Flamborough headland or Filey Brigg. Surfers will be interested to know that Cayton is just a short drive north. Golfers have a course moments away. And there’s loads to do at the Bay itself, so in the afternoon we headed back there. A swimming pool, sauna, archery range, tennis courts and a "beauty room" offer something for everyone. Bike hire and lake kayaking are two new additions.

That night we had dinner at the onsite restaurant Lorenzo’s. It was fully booked, and it was easy to see why. Pizzas, cooked in a wood-fired pizza oven, and pasta are their speciality. After a goat’s cheese starter, between us we had a lasagne with crusty garlic bread and a smoked salmon pizza, which was every bit as good as that combination sounds. Unfinished pizza is cheerfully boxed up by staff for you to take away.

We drove away the next day feeling like a weekend hadn't been enough.

The homes at the Bay are available to holiday in but also to buy, so it's possible to own a little patch of Yorkshire coast.

For more information go to thebayfiley.com