We had a capital "severe tea" at Robin Hood's Bay

Ah, yes, Robin Hood's Bay (or Bay Town as it's called by the locals). It's a marvellous day out and only 5 miles South of Whitby. Perfect for an invigorating walk! In fact, Mina and Lucy walked there to forget their troubles.

Here's what Mina's journal had to say about this wonderful seaside town:

"We had a capital 'severe tea' at Robin Hood's Bay in a sweet little old-fashioned inn, with a bow-window right over the seaweed-covered rocks of the strand. I believe we should have shocked the 'New Woman' with our appetites. Men are more tolerant, bless them! Then we walked home with some, or rather many, stoppages to rest, and with our hearts full of constant dread of wild bulls."

Despite it's name, I fear that it is unlikely that Robin Hood was ever in the area, but the town does have a wild and romantic countenance, so who cares?

The town is a tangled maze of passageways and small streets and was once rife with smugglers. In fact, subterranean passageways are said to link the houses together, thus allowing smuggled goods to be brought ashore and then moved up through the town (built on a steep hill) without being seen. Very clever!

During the eighteenth century, Robin Hood's Bay probably had the busiest smuggling community on the Yorkshire coast. Its isolation, together with the lucrative nature of smuggling, meant that many folk resorted to this illegal activity, despite the dangers.

There were many battles between the excise men and local smugglers. Bay wives often pured boiling water onto the excise men as they passed through the narrow alleyways!

Here's a view of the coastline:

In the early nineteenth century, 'Bayfolk' had to contend with the Press Gangs who tried to 'press' the men into service in the navy. Few men ever returned. Fortunately, these gangs were often attacked by the locals and sometimes they were beaten off. Truly, 'Bayfolk' must have been of a robust nature!

Today, you can see many walkers (who have just completed the 'Coast to Coast Walk' from St Bees on the Cumbrian coast!) enjoying a well-earned pint (real-ale, naturally!) in one of the many excellent pubs, hotels and bars. In fact, I can also smell the fish and chips as I write this. Yes, they ARE that GOOD!

The dangers of the past may have gone, but the stunning scenery still remains!

Return from Robin Hood's Bay to Yorkshire