Robin Hood's Bay

Whether you want to relax, get active, explore, or do a bit of all three, Robin Hood’s Bay is the ideal location to choose.

Robin Hood’s Bay is a gorgeous small fishing village located on the North Yorkshire Coast.

Robin Hood’s Bay is situated within the North York Moors National Park, making it an ideal base for walking, hiking, cycling, and exploring all the history the area offers. It is also not far from the historic town of Whitby and the fabulous Scarborough. Whether you want to relax, get active, explore, or do a bit of all three, this is the ideal location to choose. It has plenty of places to stay, things to do, restaurants and pubs, and a whole lot of history. Robin Hood’s Bay is approximately 13 minutes West of Whitby (5.5 miles). 

Postcard from Robin Hood's Bay

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Whether you are searching for accommodation, unique gifts, or planning your visit to Robin Hood's Bay, we offer all the essential resources you need.

Accommodation

Robin Hood's Bay Gifts

Blog & Articles

Where To Stay

Robin Hood's Bay offers a variety of accommodation options to meet your needs. From charming red-roofed fisherman's cottages to boutique bed and breakfasts, as well as picturesque campsites, Bay Town has a wide selection of options for you to choose from.

Middlewood Farm

Middlewood Farm Holiday Park

Robin Hoods Bay

Campsite and caravan park in Robin Hood's Bay

Fernleigh

Robin Hoods Bay

Traditional B&B In Robin Hood's Bay

Bay Ness Farm

Robin Hoods Bay

Campsite in Robin Hoods Bay

Lee-Side B&B

Robin Hoods Bay

B&B With Outdoor Seating

York House Caravan Park

Robin Hoods Bay

A friendly campsite close to Whitby

RHB

Hotel Victoria

Robin Hoods Bay

Romantic Clifftop Hotel

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.

Annual Events

Robin Hood's Bay hosts an array of events and festivals throughout the year.

Folk Weekend

Victorian Weekend

Ghost Walks

Latest Blogs & Articles

Our dedicated and talented writers are constantly researching the best Robin Hood's Bay content for our blog. You can read their latest work below.

Robin Hoods Bay Black and White.

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

We adore wandering through Robin Hood's Bay and imagining the stories told there. It's just bursting with curiosity, superstition, and spooky tales. The life of a fisherman was precarious, so … Read more
Lifeboat Rescue

An Unbelievable True Story of a Lifeboat Rescue in Robin Hood's Bay and a Heartbreaking Tragedy

In 1881, two notable wrecks occurred around Whitby. One was a heartbreaking tragedy, and the other was one of the most famous rescues in Lifeboat history. In January 1881, the … Read more
Guided walking tours of Whitby

Guided Walks and Tours in Whitby & Robin Hood's Bay

Join a local expert on a guided walk or local tour. Choose a journey to uncover smugglers' secrets, learn about the area's fishing heritage and wildlife and even sample some … Read more