THE STORY GOES that Robin Hood went out fishing and came across some French pirates who had come to pillage his boat. He made them surrender and returned what they’d taken while plundering the northeast coast of England to the village now known as Robin Hood’s Bay.
It’s a picturesque village made up of a maze of tiny, stunning streets, once walked by sailors, fishermen, smugglers and press gangs. Beneath the village’s cosy cottages there is a network of subterranean tunnels which 18th-century smugglers used to transport contraband, including silk and alcohol.
Aside from its smuggling history, the village is known for its fossil-flung beach and moody moorland. Robin Hood’s Bay is perfect for exploring nature and enjoying cafes, pubs and shops. Alice Gawthrop and Ian Chaddock talked to residents to find out more.
Brian Allanson, 64, is the creator of Robin Hood’s Bay Walks and the guide for the Smugglers Tour of Bay. He has lived in the village for 20 years
rhbwalks.co.uk, baytownwalks.com
FARM-RAISED FURTHER UP the coast,
