Ten of the Best Things To Do in Robin Hood’s Bay in Winter

One of the biggest challenges with holidaying on the Yorkshire Coast in Winter is knowing what there is to do.

Here is our Robin Hood’s Bay Winter Guide and our Ten Best recommended activities.

All can be enjoyed on your own, as a family, with friends or as a couple and Five of them won’t cost you a penny. You can even enjoy Eight of them with the Dog(s).

With the exception of Christmas and New Year Winter Robin Hood’ Bay takes on a slower pace. The perfect time to really escape and relax. And you’ll also find the Winter months a little more pocket friendly. 

Robin Hood’s Bay

Perched on the coast between the surrounding cliffs of Scarborough and Whitby sits a Bay. The backdrop of the Bay is an old Yorkshire fishing village. This is Robin Hood’s Bay, the gem on the picturesque coastal edge of the North York Moors National.

Built on a steep hill the old 17th Century village heads down to the Bay. Winding streets, steep steps and cobbled alleyways make up what was once called Baytown. A maze of a village it’s easy to get lost here in Robin Hood’s Bay. Just all part of the magic of what makes it so special.

Robin Hood’s Bay harbours a deep rooted history of smuggling. The Kings Beck, cottage cellars, secret passages and snickets all helped with the illicit activities. Smuggling of Rum, Tea, Silk and Tobacco. There wasn't a person in the village that didn't participate in the illegal activities. Be it the smuggling, hiding, transporting or protecting of the secret goings on.

Legend has it that contraband could leave the Bay and reach the top of the village without ever seeing daylight.You can still see evidence of Robin Hood’s Bay’s smuggling past to this day and you can learn more at the local museum.

Stay in a Cosy Old Fisherman’s Cottage - Dog Friendly

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to stay in a cosy old Fisherman’s Cottage?

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to stay in Robin Hood’ Bay?

Back in the days before the Victorian upper village was built Robin Hood’s Bay was home to many fishing families. Not so old inside these days many of the cottages have undergone makeovers. You’ll find a range of more traditional cottages, luxury cottages and everything in between.

Robin Hood’s Bay harbours a deep rooted history of smuggling. Legend has it that contraband could leave the Bay and reach the top of the village without ever seeing daylight.

We offer a large collection of Robin Hood’s Bay holiday cottages. Properties sleeping from 1 or 2 up to 10. We also have a large selection of Dog Friendly Cottages.

We can accommodate parties up to 8 in the lower village of Robin Hood’s Bay. In the upper Village we can accommodate parties up to 10.

Storm Watching & Beach Walks

The Bay Hotel perched in the Dock has the best vantage point overlooking the Bay. You can't really get any closer to the sea than this without getting washed away. Grab a pew, lunch or dinner and a pint or two and just sit in awe at nature's wonder and mighty force. The best spot for watching a storm.

Another nice spot for observing stormy seas is the Quarterdeck. A great spot to sit with Fish & Chips or grab a delicious bite to eat, hot chocolate & fresh hot donuts for afters from the Galley on the Quarterdeck.

Beach walks here are more than just a sandy stretch of beach. Dramatic cliffs, big boulders, rock pools as far as the eye can see, becks gush from the openings in the cliff face. You’ll find fossils, oodles of seaweed, sandy stretches and pebbles. But what you won’t find is two days that are the same. The beach is tidal so twice a day the tide will either be coming in or going out.

Fossil Hunting

Take a stroll along the Dinosaur Coast on Robin Hood’s Bay Beach. Walk in their very footsteps. Look for Ammonites, Belemnites and Devil’s Toenails (Gryphaea). Fossils common to Bay beach but not too common you will not have to look for them. What is more exciting than finding something Jurassic and millions of years old. The keen eye might also spot a bit of Jet too.

There are also Fossil Finding trips held here in Robin Hood’s Bay by Hidden Horizons. Learn how to identify potential fossils and safely hunt for Fossils.

Robin Hood’s Bay is also home to the Yorkshire Coast Dinosaur and Fossil Museum. So, if all else fails, head there to look at and purchase fossils.

The kind of fossils you are likely to find here on Robin Hood’s Bay Beach are Ammonites mostly but keep a close eye as there are others to be found along with Jet.

Rock Pooling

You don't need anything to go rock pooling here other than arming your feet with a good set of wellies.

You could spend hours rock pooling here in Robin Hood’s Bay.

What rock pool creatures you might find here in our rock pools:

Small Fish

Crabs

Hermit Crabs

Starfish

Limpets

Barnacles

Periwinkles

Anemones

You will also find many varieties of Seaweed which are plentiful here. If you're lucky you might just find a Shrimp or Lobster.

Check under rocks as rock pool residents like to hide in seaweed and nooks and crevices. Do be careful when placing rocks back so as not to crush any of the rock pool residents.

Hire A Bike & Cycle The Cinder Track

No need to bring your own, Robin Hood’s Bay has a cycle hire service. Bay Cycle Hire is situated on Station Road in Upper Robin Hood's Bay. Offering a selection of cycles for hire. Take in the Cinder Track which has some of the same spectacular views as the Cleveland Way. Just without the dramatic cliff drops.

The old railway line The Cinder Track runs from Whitby to Scarborough. Relatively flat you will find some steeper inclines occasionally. The track spans 21.5 miles in total so there is plenty to explore. Villages, both towns and you will also find a selection of Pubs and Cafes along the way too.

See A Thousand Stars - Dog Friendly

What can be more stunning than looking up at the night sky and seeing a thousand stars. Head down to the Quarterdeck, blankets in hand and a flask of hot chocolate. Lie down on the benches, let your eyes adjust and marvel at the twinkling dots gazing back at you.

You may think stars are well just stars but here they are extra special. The North York Moors National Park is an International Dark Sky Reserve. Here it’s possible to see meteorites, the Milky Way, Planets and shooting stars.

Walk The Cleveland Way

Spanning 109 miles in total taking in moorland and coastline, villages and towns and historical landmarks. The Cleveland Way will not disappoint.

Robin Hood’s Bay sits about halfway along the coastal stretch of the Cleveland Way. With options to head towards Whitby or Scarborough.

The walk to Whitby is an 8-mile hike. The views are breathtaking and when you reach Whitby you will be greeted by the stunning Whitby Abbey and St. Mary’s Church. Head down the 199 steps into the old town. Treat yourself to world famous fish & chips. Rest your weary feet whilst taking a pew on the Whitby Pier.

Alternatively head to Ravenscar, Hayburnn Wyke, Cloughton, Burniston, Scalby or Scarborough.

Catch the X93 Bus back to Robin Hood’s Bay from Scarborough or Whitby.

Enjoy A Cosy Pub Lunch

Cosy up by a Winters fire in one of Robin Hood’s Bay's many pubs. All of the pubs in Robin Hood's Bay are dog friendly. Not all open fully across the Winter. However, The Bay Hotel in the Dock, like an old faithful friend, is always open. The Victoria Hotel is open throughout with the exception of a week usually during the Christmas period.

You’ll find a selection of traditional meals, ala carte dishes, special dishes, bar meals and locally sourced seafood including the famous Whitby Scampi. All will vary across the different establishments.

Many of the pubs have a restaurant area alongside their bar area. The Victoria Hotel also boasts a large beer garden overlooking the Bay across to Ravenscar.

Sample The Local Delicacies

Robin Hood’s Bay offers a lot in the way of local produce. Here are our favourites:

Beacon Farm Ice-cream at Dollies Sweet Shop & Van

Baytown Coffee many of the eateries use this brand & is available to purchase at Baytown Stores

Baytown Beer from Baytown Stores

Bothams of Whitby Baked Goods from Muir Lea Stores

Whitby Scampi available at many of the Pubs & The Fish & Chip Shops

Whitby Brewery Ales available to buy at Muir Lea Stores

Locally caught & landed Seafood served in many of the Pubs, Restaurants & Fish & Chip Shops

Barnards of Fylingthorpe bake their own bread, sell locally sourced Meat and are Purveyors of Locally Sourced Produce

Go Off Roading

North Yorkshire Off Road Centre. A unique experience. A day out with a difference and a jaw dropping, breath taking back drop. If you love driving, enjoy being a bit daring or maybe you just love Robin Hood's Bay. This is Robin Hood's Bay from a whole different vantage point.

The North Yorkshire Off Road Centre has its own private quarry. Perched on a hillside in Robin Hood's Bay the centre offers tuition and a chance to experience their terrain. All whilst driving a modern LandRover Defender 110 TDCi*. There's mud, water, rocky terrain, hills, ruts and more. The tricky part will be keeping eyes on the track because the view is spectacular.

Experience's Available to Book Only** are:

Half Day 4x4 Experience

Junior Driving Experience

4x4 Experience Day

Tour Tuition & Tour Experience

Satisfy the thrill seeker in you, your family or friends and Book a 4x4 Robin Hood's Bay adventure today.

*Other vehicles may be available

**Please do not just turn up on the day

So, why not stay a while? Come and fall in love with the magic of Robin Hood’s Bay. Take on the slower pace of Winter. Relax, switch off and de-stress. Spend time with loved ones or take some time by yourself and maybe the dog. Fill your lungs full of sea air, blow away the cobwebs and when you're done retreat to your Cosy Old Fisherman’s Cottage abode.

Stay

Relaxing Coastal Escapes in Robin Hood’s Bay, North Yorkshire.

Sam and Sian have been helping you make memories and relax on the coast since April 2017.

Baytown Holiday Cottages is a small North Yorkshire Booking Agency specialising in the Robin Hood’s Bay area of the North York Moors National Park.

Two locals who know the area and the cottages inside Out. Their home, their workplace and their playground. Helping you find your escape by the sea.

So, why not stay for a while in one of the Best Robin Hood’s Bay Holiday Cottages.

Smaller properties are available from 2 nights and the larger properties from 3 nights. All dependent on the time of year. All of our cottages are priced accordingly throughout the year. All of our properties feature in size order. Largest to smallest as you scroll down the Accommodation Page.

For a quick look at our availability at any given time you can use our All Availability feature. Just click the green and yellow Check Availability button on the Home page of our website.