52 Ways to Enjoy Robin Hood’s Bay: #46 10 Way's To Connect With Nature
10 Ways To Connect With Nature
Do you struggle with switching off and relaxing?
Did you know connecting with nature can really help?
Would you love to learn how to connect with nature?
Read on for all Ten Top Tips on How to Connect with Nature in Robin Hood’s Bay.
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.
The Benefits Of Connecting With Nature
Getting out and about in nature is so beneficial. Connecting with nature helps to:
Reduce Stress
Improve Physical Health
Improve Mental Health
Boost Energy Levels
Aid Illness Recovery
Escape the Hustle and Bustle
Get Fit and Maintain Illness Levels
Read on for our 10 Ways To Connect With Nature.
Get Outdoors
Get outdoors and discover and explore Robin Hood’s Bay. It is possible to explore:
The Village Nooks and Crannies
The Beach
The Cleveland Way
The Cinder Track
The Moorland
Robin Hood’s Bay is surrounded by nature and there are many ways to connect with it. Connecting with nature can be as simple as finding a bench in the fresh sea air and taking in the magnificent views.
Get outdoors in a way that suits you. Sit for a while, walk, run, hike or cycle. There is no right or wrong way to connect with nature and get outdoors.
Live In The Moment
Living in the moment can really help you connect with nature. Here are our top tips for living in the moment:
Keep it Simple | Only have with you what you really need
Smile
Gratitude | Having gratitude for the here and now and what surrounds you
Let Go | Let your stresses wash away with the calm relaxed pace of Robin Hood’s Bay
Relax Or Walk By Water
Being by the ocean can be so relaxing. Walking or sitting watching the waves, breathing in the sea air, listening to the sea's roar or its gentle lapping at the shore. Let all thoughts wash away and switch off from all your stresses. The sea can be exciting and dramatic or it can be calm, flat and still. No day here on the coast is ever the same but is, is the calming effect the sea will have on you.
Watch The Sunrise Or The Sunset
Watching the sunrise and the sunset are possibly two of the most breathtaking things you can do in Robin Hood’s Bay. Watching the sun rise or set over the sea makes it so much more special. Red, pink, orange and purple skies. The sunsets are just as spectacular in winter as they are in summer. And, you won’t have to get up so early or stay up late to catch them. Don’t forget the camera and the blankets to snuggle up warm while you gaze at the first or last of the day’s sun.
Observe Our Dark Skies
Have you ever seen the Milky Way?
Right here in Robin Hood’s Bay on the coastal edge of the North York Moor’s National Park light pollution is very low. The light pollution is so low you could see in excess of a thousand Stars and if you are lucky the Milky Way. All by the naked eye.
In December 2020 The North York Moors National Park was designated an International Dark Sky Reserve.
But what is an International Dark Sky Reserve (IDSR)? An IDSR is land that possesses an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights specifically protected for scientific, natural, educational, cultural, heritage and/or public enjoyment.
Robin Hood’s Bay sits on the coastal edge of the North York Moors National Park. Being on the coast Robin Hood’s Bay lends itself very well to observing the Dark Skies. Surrounded by cliffs, moorland and the great North Sea the only light pollution comes from the village. Purposefully lit in a way to get the most from our coastal night skies.
Throughout the year you can study our Dark Skies for:
Stars & Shooting Stars
The Milky Way
The Moon
Meteor Showers
Planets
Andromeda Galaxy - The furthest object you can see from The North York Moors National Park
International Space Station
You could even be lucky enough to observe the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) here on our coast. The more northward you are and the darker the night sky the greater the chance.
When you’re used to only seeing a few stars, seeing over a thousand with just the naked eye is a pretty breath-taking experience. Especially if it’s your first time.
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.
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.
Contact Bay Cycle Hire:
01947 880678
07729 479618
baycyclehirerhb@gmail.com
Bird & Animal Watch
It is possible to Bird and Animal Watch all around Robin Hood’s Bay:
The Village, nooks crannies and rooftops
The Beach
The Cleveland Way
The Cinder Track
The Moorland
Robin Hood’s Bay and it’s coastline are home to a vast array of wildlife and it may be possible to spot the following:
Oyster Catchers
Cormorants
Various Types of Gulls
Guillemot
Pied Wagtail
Turnstone
Various Types of Crab (Rockpooling)
Common Seal
Grey Seal
To name just a few.
Go Rockpooling
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.
Eat Fish & Chips Amongst Nature
There's no better seaside feast than good old Fish & Chips. Especially on the Yorkshire Coast. Although, everyday's a weekend day when you're on vacation or staycation.
It's no secret that here on the Yorkshire Coast we're famous for serving award winning Fish & Chips. You will find not one but two Fish & Chip shops here in Robin Hood’s Bay. Whether at the top or bottom of Bay Bank just follow your nose. You can’t beat the delightful smell of fish & chips carried along in the sea air.
The beauty of Robin Hood’s Bay is that you can get out and eat your Fish & Chips in the fresh sea air. So, whether you decide to walk with your supper or find a quiet little spot to watch the world go by, Enjoy surrounding by an abundance of nature.. Don't forget the scraps.
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.
