Things to do in Robin Hood’s Bay, North York Moors, with Kids:
Tucked between dramatic cliffs and the sweeping North Sea, Robin Hood’s Bay is the kind of seaside village that feels like it’s stepped straight out of a storybook. With its winding cobbled lanes, beach with sand and rock pools teeming with tiny sea creatures, it’s a natural playground for curious kids and adventure-loving families.
Whether you’re hunting for fossils along the shoreline, crabbing in the rock pools, following smuggler trails through narrow alleyways, or setting off on a coastal walk with breath-taking views, there’s no shortage of ways to keep little explorers entertained.
Kids will love:
Exploring the maze of alleyways through the old village, with the history and the tales of smugglers it can be a game for children just explore, maybe jumping out an one another and playing hide and seek.
Rock pooling: finding all manner of life from crabs, shrimps, small fish, shell fish, anemones and who knows what else. There are seals nearby and dolphins can sometimes be spotted jumping further out to sea.
Fossil hunting: The rocky areas are littered with hidden fossils. Belemnites, crinoids (star shaped) and ammonites should be easy to find on the beach for those with a keen eye.
Fish and chips and ice cream: The classic British seaside experience of fish and chips followed by ice cream. With two fish and chips shops and various sources of ice cream the classic British experience is easy to find. Food also available from various cafes, shops and pubs.
Whilst the main attraction is exploring the old village, the beach and the rockpools, there are a few other things to do:
Walk to Boggle Hole – Take a stroll along the beach at low tide and get a drink and something to eat to the YHA Boggle Hole café. Be warned that there will be a little water to cross near Boggle Hole and the beach route will get cut off as the tide comes in (take the path back up the steps along the cliff if you get cut off)
National Trust marine exhibition – There is a small exhibition aimed at children upstairs in the National Trust café right by the slipway in the dock.
Play Park – When the tide comes in the play park fills up. Situated at the top of the bank this playpark, though small is well equipped with a Pirate ship, swings, slides, a roundabout, and various climbing structures.
Mini Golf – In the warmer months a mini golf course is setup by the tennis club, next to the main carpark.
Cinder Track – A traffic free trail for walking and cycling runs from Whitby to Scarborough, with Robin Hoods Bay along the route:
Cleveland Way / England Coastal Path – There is a walk along the cliff tops following the Cleveland Way (Not suitable for younger children due to being on the cliff tops and having many steps) heading either towards Ravenscar via Boggle Hole or towards Whitby.
Practical info for families
Cost: Most things are free, but parking is pay and display. Car parks can be full in summer, so be prepared to walk from further out if visiting in summer holidays.
There is a small car park at the top of the bank:
And a bigger car park by the Village Hall, with a gravel overflow carpark behind the tennis and bowls club:
Facilities: There are public toilets at various places in the village, some require payment.
Picnic Areas: There are picnic benches on the cliff in front of the Hotel Victoria, and the beach is a great place for a picnic and there are various benches throughout the village.
Access: Robin Hood’s Bay has a very steep road hill that goes down to the old village. The steepness can make access very difficult for wheelchairs and cumbersome prams. The alley ways are narrow, cobbled and have steps. The beach is rocky in most places.
Dogs: Dogs are allowed through out the village and on the beach, but not in the play park.
Tide times for Robin Hood’s Bay/Whitby:
Tides explained very simply:
It takes 6 hours for the tide to come all the way in.
30 minutes standing water as it changes direction
6 hours for the tide to go all the way out.
30 minutes standing water.
So each day the tide times will be roughly 1 hour later than the day before.