As you wander around the village, from the very top, right down to the steep streets sloping towards the beach, you’re met with nothing but history and charm that continue to make it a top UK travel destination.

What draws in visitors to this little corner of Yorkshire is its old-world feel, as the cobbled pavements and old stone shops and houses look like they’ve been there forever.

Robin Hood’s Bay is a village in Whitby made up of mazes of alleyways, barely wider than a beer barrel, with the comforting smell of the sea air lingering and an array of quaint shops, pubs and food spots. While people chose to visit the picturesque village for several reasons, it surged in popularity from the 1970s when it became the final destination of the Coast to Coast Walk.

The bay acts as the traditional final destination of the 192-mile walk, taking walkers across England and traversing through the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, and North York Moors.

Not to mention, it falls within the boundaries of the North York Moors National Park, and so plenty of hikers, cyclists and walkers tend to incorporate a stop at this beautiful bay along a multitude of routes. Otherwise, some use the village as their hub for exploring the Moors and the Yorkshire Coast, returning back for some good grub and a good night’s sleep.

History

While the name itself suggests a relation to Robin Hood, its origins still remain a mystery, as it’s thought to be unlikely that the legend ever crossed paths with the village. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t some interesting stories lying amongst these old stone walls.

There is much evidence to suggest that Robin Hoods Bay has existed far longer than any of us could imagine, with links back to the Bronze Age and both Roman and Saxon settlements.

The really juicy history, however, comes with the village’s fishing history and sailing communities that resulted in a lot of smuggling. The bay is believed to have a network of subterranean passageways linking to houses, which allowed for easy smuggling to take place.

It was in the 18th century that these behaviours were rife along the Yorkshire Coast, and its tiny streets and maze-like quality made Robin Hoods Bay the ideal spot for it. Boats from across Europe would bring in contraband, which would then be distributed to their contacts on land – all for the likes of tea, gin, rum, brandy and tobacco.

The fishing industry also helped to fuel the village’s income, with many houses being built between 1650 and 1750 and bought by entire families, all involved somewhat in the industry. Although there was a decline in the late 19th century, the village now relies mostly on tourism, with the help of its stunning setting.

Where to eat

Robin Hood’s Bay is no stranger to a good food spot and, despite its quaint size, offers several cosy pubs and independent cafes and food shops. According to TripAdvisor reviews, the top spot seems to be Brambles Bistro, set back in a traditional white cottage and a short walk away from the bay itself.

A recent customer shared: “Wow. What a gem of a place. Staff are friendly; the place is quaint and cosy. The food was out of this world. Both of us had flat iron steak, which was cooked to perfection, and the peppercorn sauce – wow, I’ve never tasted sauce quite like it.”

Joining the ranks is a quintessential English pub, The Laurel Inn, at the other end of the village, tucked away down a narrow street. This seems to be the place for a pint stop on your adventures and a quick bite to eat, especially to escape the seaside winds in those colder months.

One person described the place as “authentic and charming”. They said it was “super cosy” and there was a “lovely atmosphere” to the place, which they plan on returning back to.

As for cafes, there’s certainly no shortage either, with the likes of Tea, Toast and Post keeping customers happy, and Elle Estelle’s rustic cafe drawing in coffee lovers.

Like any good seaside town, there are a number of fish and chip shops, and Whitby certainly has the reputation for serving up the very best of it. After, if you’re looking for a sweet treat on your travels, tourists may stumble upon Dolly’s Sweet Shop for some tasty ice cream or a selection of traditional English sweets.