Robin Hood’s Bay and Ravenscar Coastal Walk

by DayOutPlans · Published 19th March 2021 · Updated 27th April 2023

The Coastal Walk from Robin Hood’s Bay to Ravenscar offers two routes – one along the beach and another on the cliff top, making a circular walk ( Robin Hood’s Bay -> Ravenscar -> Robin Hood’s Bay ).

The one-way walk from Robin Hood’s Bay to Ravenscar along the beach takes about 1-2 hours, and it will take even longer if you are walking with children. We walked this route twice with our 5-year-old son, collecting fossils and shells, playing with water, taking photos, and walking from low tide to high tide, from noon to dusk. Although tiring, we were very happy and even saw groups of seals and seal pups.

It’s important to check the tide timings as some parts of the beach are inaccessible during high tide. The best time to arrive here is as early as possible, ideally before noon, and make sure that it is low tide so that you have enough time to complete this walk.

Be sure of staying safe on the coastal walk, wear appropriate footwear and clothing, bring plenty of water and snacks, and stay away from the edge of the cliffs.

Walking on the beach can be a great opportunity to find fossils and see waterfalls from the cliff tops onto the beach, as well as a cave.
The cliff-top route offers stunning views of the sea and the countryside, but it can be more challenging with many steep steps.

On the beach beneath the cliffs near Ravenscar, it’s common to spot seals.

Parking

Parking is available at Robin Hood’s Bay Bank Top Car Park (YO22 4QN). Around 60 parking spaces here, so if you’re planning on a day trip here, it’s best to arrive early.

For more information about parking and more things to do in Robin Hood’s Bay, please visit: Exploring Robin Hood’s Bay: A Day Trip from Leicester

Robin Hood’s Bay -> Ravenscar

Walk along the beach from Robin Hood’s Bay towards Ravenscar (some places may be impassable during high tide). Along the way, you will see several waterfalls cascading down the cliffs and hitting the beach, creating a spectacular sight. The mix of sandy beaches and rocky shores is also an excellent place for fossil hunting, a popular activity in this area.

As you walk towards Ravenscar, when you reach near Boggle Hole, you will see a cave in the cliff filled with stones and shells, and sometimes even fossils on the cliff face. Many people come here for fossil hunting. However, be aware of falling rocks from the cliffs.

If you feel too tired to complete the whole route, Boggle Hole could be a halfway turnaround point. There are two mid-points here where you can return to Robin Hood’s Bay:

Mid-Point 1: Near the YHA next to the cave, you can climb up the mountain for a back trail on the clifftop or you can just return the way you came on the beach (if the tide allows)

Mid-Point 2: Near Stoup Bank Farm where there is a small bridge that is also a path from the beach to the mountain. The mid-point 2 is slightly further than the mid-point 1.

On any way back, you can choose to walk along the cliff top (see Ravenscar -> Robin Hood’s Bay section below) or retrace your steps along the beach (if the tide allows ). The cliff-top route offers stunning views of the sea and the countryside, but it can be more challenging with many steep steps.

If you don’t turn around midway, Let’s continue walking.

Walk along the beach until you reach South Cheek Cliff in Ravenscar (where you usually see seals resting on the beach). During the breeding season, there are seal protection staffs who will lead you the way up to Ravenscar.

Climb up the South Cheek beach cliff (there are some wild paths and steps), and walk towards the Raven Hall Country House Hotel and Lodges until you reach the normal road. You can take a break at The National Trust Coastal Centre’s Cafe (there is also a public toilet opposite). If you’re too tired to walk back, we recommend taking a taxi back to Robin Hood’s Bay.

Ravenscar -> Robin Hood’s Bay

If you still have the energy and time, you can continue walking along the cliff-top path from Ravenscar back to Robin Hood’s Bay. This route is quite rugged and also passes through Boggle Hole. (Note: You are not able to access the beach at high tide.) But this route offers stunning views over the sea. Also with bridges and streams, and flocks of sheep along the path, We enjoyed this trail. Though the path was quite muddy when we visited here, the kids loved it and picked up several tree branches as walking sticks and were excitedly walking and playing along the way.

More photos of Robin Hood's Bay

Visitor Map

Robin Hood’s Bay Bank Top Car Park: Robin Hood’s Bay Rd, Robin Hood’s Bay, Whitby YO22 4QN