Charming village with pirate history
On the North Yorkshire coast, within the North York Moors National Park, discover an idyllic English seaside village. Robin Hood’s Bay is a quaint settlement built between coastal cliffs, with steps leading down to a fossil-rich beach.
It’s not known how this village came to get its name, as there’s no historical evidence that the famous Robin Hood visited here. One legend tells that he took a job as a fisherman in nearby town Scarborough, then stole from French pirates, giving the loot to the English poor.
Robin Hood’s Bay, like many seaside villages, also has a long history of smuggling. Tea, alcohol and tobacco were carefully snuck into England from mainland Europe. The village is riddled with narrow passages and alleyways, and some say that the homes are linked by underground tunnels.
The beauty and mystery of this village inspired some of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. You might also recognise it from the 2017 film Phantom Thread, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, as a lot of the movie was filmed here.
Stop here to enjoy picturesque streets, cosy cafés and charming shops. Spend some time wandering the beach and see if you can find any ancient fossils. It’s also a great place to try some local seafood in a welcoming pub and feel immersed in English village life.
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