ROBIN HOOD'S BAY, WHITBY and the NORTH YORK MOORS
Robin Hood’s Bay is a small fishing town or village located five miles south of Whitby on the coast of North Yorkshire. Bay Town, as it is known to the locals, is in the ancient parish of Fylingdales and in the wapentake of Whitby Strand. The origin of the name is uncertain, and it is doubtful if Robin Hood was ever in the vicinity.
The town, which consists of a maze of tiny cobbled streets, has a tradition of smuggling and there is reputed to be a network of subterranean passageways linking many of the houses. The main legitimate activity had always been fishing, but this started to decline in the late 19th century.
These days Robin Hood's Bay is very popular with visitors and most of its income comes from tourism. Robin Hood's Bay is also famous for the large number of fossils which may be found on its beach. There is even a shop in the main street offering fossils for sale.
Robin Hood's Bay is the setting for the Bramblewick books by the author Leo Walmsley, who was educated in the schoolroom of the old Wesleyan Chapel, in the lower village. Robin Hood's Bay is a poem by children's poet Michael Rosen.
Robin Hood's Bay is the terminus of Wainwright's Coast to Coast Walk.