Robin Hood’s Bay, North Yorkshire – Coastal Village on the Cleveland Way

Steep streets, shingle shore, and exposed North Sea cliffs

Robin Hood’s Bay sits on the North Yorkshire coast within the North York Moors National Park, directly on the Cleveland Way. The trail descends from clifftop farmland into the village before continuing south toward Ravenscar or north along the coast to Whitby.

The settlement drops steeply from the clifftop to a narrow bay, with tightly packed streets and stepped lanes leading down to the shore. Walking involves sharp elevation changes, particularly on approaches to and from the village. Underfoot conditions vary between paved streets, stone steps, shingle beach, and narrow clifftop paths exposed to wind and weather.

Robin Hood’s Bay functions as a well-established stopping point on the Cleveland Way. There are cafés, pubs, small shops, and places to stay within the village, making it a practical overnight stop despite the steep access. Bus services connect the village with Whitby and Scarborough, supporting linear walks along this section of coast.

From the shoreline, the Cleveland Way climbs south toward Ravenscar across open cliff tops, while to the north it follows a dramatic coastal section into Whitby, with frequent rises and falls, narrow paths, and wide views across the North Sea.