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

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

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

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

With the exception of the October Half Term and the Robin Hood’ Bay Victorian Weekend takes on a slower pace. The perfect time to really escape and relax. And you’ll also find the Autumn 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.

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, there are cycle hire services available in the North York Moors National Park. Bayhire is situated in Scarborough. Offering a selection of cycles for hire and they will deliver to a suitable location. 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 & The Dark Skies Fringe Festival

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.

Dark Skies Fringe Festival

The Dark Skies Fringe Festival is unique to the North York Moors National Park. Usually taking place in October just into November. The Fringe Festival takes advantage of our Autumn Dark Skies which are great for observing The Milky Way and annual Meteor Showers.

The Events change every year with new additions, bringing new and exciting ways to enjoy our Night Skies.

If you missed that link you can find out more by Clicking Here. 

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.

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

So, why not satisfy the thrill seeker in 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

The Robin Hood’s Bay Ghost Walk

Rose Rylands otherwise known as The Whitby Storyteller is the wonderful lady behind The Robin Hood’s Bay GHost Walk. An absolute must do when in Robin Hood’s Bay. A fabulous storyteller there’s not much that Rose doesn't know of the folklore and legends of these parts.

Let Rose take you on a walking tour through the cobbled alleyways of Robin Hood’s Bay. Discover secret histories and take a journey back in time. Listen as Rose recounts tales of legends, villains, ghosts and stories of smuggling.

Contact Whitby Storyteller:

01947 841198

info@whitbystoryteller.co.uk

whitbystoryteller.co.uk

The Robin Hood’s Bay Smugglers Trail

Explore hidden snickets of Robin Hood’s Bay from the Upper Village to the Lower Village. Delve into Robin Hood’s Bay Smuggling Past. Part of the Yorkshire Trails series, the Smugglers Trail is fun for all ages. You'll complete puzzles, riddles, find out about smuggling, and learn smuggling slang. When you're done, why not bake a Smugglers Pie. When the little explorers have gone to 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.

The Trail booklet is available in local shops and shops throughout the North York Moors National Park.

Also available to purchase in the local shops and online.

Contact Yorkshire Trails:

01423 567811

yorkshiretrails.co.uk

Enjoy A Cosy Pub Lunch

Cosy up by an Autumn 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 back end of Autumn. However, The Bay Hotel in the Dock, like an old faithful friend, is always open. The Victoria Hotel is open throughout also.

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. 

Victorian Weekend

Each Year Robin Hood’s Bay host’s its very own Victorian Weekend. Usually taking place the first full weekend of December starting Friday afternoon through to Sunday evening. There are lots of ways to get into the spirit of things. Why not dig out your Victorian best and dress up for the occasion.

Robin Hood's Bay Victorian Weekend is a family friendly, couple friendly, dog friendly, group friendly event. Everyone is welcome. Spanning across 3 decades, Victorian Weekend just keeps getting better. You will find the classic events of festive fun past and new events of festive fun present.

The festive event will be packed full of old and new activities including:

Welly Wanging

Face Painting

The Duck Race

Carols in the Dock

Arts & Craft Fair and much more

New activities change yearly

There will also be lot's of:

Festive Fun

Food

Drinks

Live Music & More

Why not take a bit of time out for a little festive fun to get more in the spirit. Relax by the sea enjoying the last of the Autumn air.

You can find out more here.

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.