ROBIN HOOD’S BAY

Robin Hood’s Bay is a pretty village of pantiled cottages tumbling down the steep hillside towards the North Sea. Its quaint cobbled pathways and…….

Read it all before? A million words have been written about Robin Hood’s Bay, all pretty much the same and all of them falling way short of capturing its real charm. Not because the writers are inadequate but because this tiny village has a truly unique way of getting into your soul and then making you believe that you’re the only person who feels that way about it.

As a young teenager in the early 1970s, my parents took me to Bay for the first time, having been told that it was a must-see place. At that time, the sea wall was under construction. We stood at the top of the bank and looked down on a dirty village, full of machinery and looking like a nightmare holiday destination. Nevertheless, having come a long way, it was only fair to walk down and see it close up. It didn’t look much better but somehow we felt compelled to stay. None of us could explain the hold that the village had on us but we all felt it. Thus began a lifetime of yearning to return and we did, as often as our lives would allow. Bay always felt more like home to me; more so than my real home town and the many other towns in which I have lived.

For those of you who can empathise with this, I’m obviously trying to preach to the converted. For those of you who have never been (and I can’t believe there are many of you out there), try it out. Not everyone likes Bay but the chances are that it will become your place too.

PARKING IN ROBIN HOOD’S BAY

Parking in lower RHBay

Fisherhead Car Park

This is the only car park in lower RHBay and is privately owned and managed. You cannot park in Fisherhead Car Park without a permit.

If the cottage you have booked has a Fisherhead parking permit, you must collect it from the cottage and display it in your windscreen for the duration of your stay. You must return the permit to the cottage before you leave. If a permit is lost or taken in error, it cannot be replaced.

If the cottage you have booked doesn't have a permit, you can order one in advance by calling Tim or Kate on 01947 880723 during office hours. Permits are available for any number of days but are few in number and are quickly sold out at busy times.

Camper vans, mini buses and trade vans over half a ton are not allowed.

To find Fisherhead Car Park, drive down the hill into the lower village, passing The Laurel Inn on your left and Muir Lea Stores on your right. Shortly after the stores, turn right through the farm gate on the bend. Drive up the hill and through into the farmyard to park.

Please note that I am not an agent for Fisherhead car park. The information here is offered in good faith but may be subject to change without notice. I cannot be held responsible for changes, repairs or closures to this facility. You should enquire about the terms and conditions when you purchase a permit.

Parking in the top village

The car park opposite the Victoria Hotel at the top of the bank is a Scarborough Borough Council car park and charges apply (except in the winter months when the Council usually covers the pay meters). You can purchase a pass from Station Road Post Office (200 metres further up the road). The pass does not guarantee you a space but does allow you to park free of charge in other SBC car parks in the borough and is useful, therefore, if you intend to visit other places during your stay.

At busy times, the much larger SBC Station Car Park is situated further still up the village.

A small amount of free street parking is available on Mount Pleasant North, South and East. Please be careful not to block anyone’s driveway.

Services and Eating Out.

The Old Bakery Tea Rooms. Bob and Olga Bainbridge 01947 880709.
Serves breakfasts, lunches and fabulous homemade cakes. Try a delicious frothy coffee and a piece of Olga's lemon cake.

Swell Café Bar. Jason and Jane Brine 01947 880180.
Contemporary and sleek. A bit more expensive but worth the treat. Gift shop full of things you’d sell your Granny for.

The Bramblewick Restaurant for breakfasts, lunches, afternoon tea and dinner. 01947 880960.

The Wayfarer Bistro, Station Road, RHBay, 01947 880240.

Great food in a relaxing atmosphere. Seafood is a speciality and the mussels are probably the best you'll ever have. Open every night from 6pm (but may close early weekdays out of season).  Sundays are steak-n-bake nights; fantastic grill menu with salads and jacket potato plus bottle of wine, all for £38 per couple.

Candy's, the one half way down the hill! Fully refurbished and with beautiful views across the bay. For breakfasts, lunches and home-made cakes.

Muir Lea Stores for general groceries and greengrocery, speciality wines and mead, fresh bread, coal, stamps, confectionery and a really friendly welcome. Chris and Tony Frankland 01947 880316.

Station Road Post Office, Newsagent, General Store and Off Licence. Brenda and Steve Smith run this bustling and very important local convenience. 01947 880202.

Maryondale Fish and Chip Shop. Hard to beat! Sue and James Verrill 01947 880426.

The Book Shop, Chapel St. for a good selection of bestselling titles, autobiographies and Penguin classics.

Belle's Angels, Chapel St. A new addition to Bay with loads of lovely greetings cards and pretty and unusual gifts. Go in and meet Alfie, the black labrador and his owner Cassie.

Also in old Bay:

• A good selection of book and gift shops, galleries and cafes.
• The National Trust’s Old Coastguard Station visitor centre.
• 3 pubs, two of which serve food all day.
• A chocolate fountain.
• The biggest wave cut platform in Europe...probably!