Next up on the whirlwind tour of Yorkshire back in 2020 is the quaint little fishing village of Robin Hood’s Bay.
Once the haunt of smuggler, press gangers and fishermen, now you’re more likely to get enmeshed in crowds of holidaymakers with ice-creams and postcards by the handful.
First up is the obligatory snapping of lots of the pretty and colourful doors that can be found in the maze of back alleys.
Then we’re heading to the main street (yes there is just one) that leads into the heart of this vibrant little village.
Even though Robin Hood’s Bay is now regularly choked with visitors, it still manages to retain its old worlde charm and character.
The village lies in the ancient parish of Fylingdales. The name is thought to come from the Old English word ‘Fygela’ which meant marshy ground.
The name of this village is not thought to be linked to the well known Nottingham legend sadly.
Rather Robin Hood was probably the name of an ancient forest spirit similar to Robin Goodfellow and the use of the name was widespread in England.
In the 18th century, Robin Hood’s Bay was one of the busiest smuggling community on the Yorkshire coast.
The village is riddled with hiding places and secret passages and reports abound that a bale of silk could pass from the bottom of the village to the top without ever leaving the houses.
So for a small place, Robin Hood’s Bay packs a huge historical punch and is well worth spending a few hours in.
