The Robin Hood's Bay Smugglers Trail

Do you love to discover new places?

Do you love to be beside the seaside?

Do you love to solve puzzles and riddles?

Read on to find out how to discover Robin Hood’s Bay with the Smugglers Trail.

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.

Cobbles and Alleyways

Robin Hood’s Bay’s old lower village is made up of cobbled streets, alleyways and snickets. There are many twists and turns. Stone and cobbled steps work their way up the village. It's easy to imagine life here as it was 300 years or so ago.

You never know where one turn may take you or what awaits you. Which direction will you take? It’s all part of the fun in getting to know Robin Hood’s Bay.

Smuggling in Robin Hood's Bay

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.

Secret Tunnels of Robin Hood’s Bay

Once upon a time back in the days of smuggling the Kings Beck Tunnel wasn't the only tunnel here. A secret network of tunnels came off the Kings Beck Tunnel. The tunnels went up into the houses, pubs and shops above. These tunnels were all key in being able to move contraband around the village without it seeing daylight.

You won’t find the secret tunnels today. They have long since gone and blocked up. 

The Robin Hood’s Bay Smugglers Trail

What better way than to explore the whole of Robin Hood's Bay's upper and lower villages than The Smugglers Trail. Part of the Yorkshire Trails series, the Smugglers Trail is fun for all ages. You'll complete puzzles, riddles, find out about smuggling in Robin Hood's Bay, learn smuggling slang, and when you're done why not bake a Smugglers Pie & when the little ones are in bed Indulge in a Smugglers Coffee or two.

 Explore 

 Discover

 Learn 

 Solve 

 You may just learn a thing or two about your favourite village on the Yorkshire coast.

 Just £6.99 you can purchase the Trail booklet in local shops and shops throughout the North York Moors National Park. 

 You can complete the Trail at your own leisurely pace, you can "go at a snail's gallop" if you like. All you have to do is make sure you have fun.

Stay in Robin Hood’s Bay

So why not stay for a while?

Cosy up in cottages once the old pubs of Robin Hood’s Bay. Relax in the old houses once at the heart of smuggling activities.

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.

The range of facilities across our collection of Holiday Cottages is varied. Each cottage is lovingly owned and cared for by a different owner. If there is a particular facility or feature you are looking for please contact us and we will advise of the best property for you.

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. A little reminder 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.