Robin Hood's Bay

History Of Robin Hood's Bay

Known to the locals as ‘Bay Town’, Robin Hood’s Bay, it has to be said that it does not have any evidential ties with Robin Hood, who robbed the rich to feed the poor. Despite an old English ballad saying something different, it is doubtful that he ever even went there. The naming of the area is a bit of a mystery.

The bay was originally a farming and fishing community that thrived mainly on their catch. In winter, fleets of brightly coloured cobles bobbed at sea whilst their crew line fished upon them. Larger boats were used for the herring, which were unloaded into panniers at the docks and transported over the moors to Pickering and York. Whole families worked in the fishing industry, whether out on the open sea or walking and riding the catch to market.

However, fishing and farming were not the only trades, as smuggling was a rife tradition. Boats from the continent brought contraband to their shore and distributed it to the land contacts. Operations were financed by large syndicates who made all the money whilst the villagers took all the risk. Trying to lower that risk, it is reputed that the villagers built a network of subterranean passages underneath their homes. This would mean they could move the tea, gin, rum, brandy, and tobacco with less chance of being caught.

By the 19th century, the fishing industry had peaked and began to wane. Nowadays, the town relies more on tourism than fishing, although there are still some cobles and fishing vessels working from here that you can see.

History

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Myths & Legends

Robin Hood’s Bay, Myths, Legends and Ghost Stories