Bay View Cottage

Not far from Bay View Cottage is Ravenscar: one of the most scenic and intriguing places on the Yorkshire coast. With its dramatic clifftop views and rocky beach coves, not to mention the astonishing views over Robin Hood's Bay - which was once the heart of Yorkshire's smuggling trade - it has plenty to offer hikers, fossil hunters and foodies alike.

There are a variety of tearooms and pubs dotted around this picturesque coastline all within five miles of Bay View Cottage including The Bryherstones Country Inn, which is a firm local favourite. More extensive amenities including a large supermarket, quality independent traders and good local producers can be found half an hour away in the nearby town of Whitby.

You can also enjoy an array of restaurants in this bustling town. Good fish and chips can be found at the Star Inn on the Harbour or at the Magpie, while delicious and contemporary Italian dishes can be found at Pizza West on Whitby's West Cliff.

In true Yorkshire fashion gastronomy abounds in the area and The Homestead in Goathland, which is just half an hour’s drive from Bay View Cottage, is well worth a visit for its relaxed, fine dining. The North Yorkshire Moors Railway route, which connects Whitby and Pickering, stops here and beautiful steam trains pass through this heritage station throughout the day. If you do decide to visit make time to explore the 'Heartbeat' village and stop to take in the stunning moorland views.

A little further afield, but certainly worth the visit, is Helmsley, a picturesque market town sheltered beneath the remains of a medieval castle on the banks of the River Rye. At its heart is a fine market square - which hosts a weekly market - from which you can explore a delightful tangle of alleys lined with independent shops. From here it is just a few minutes drive to the charming village of Harome where there are two wonderful options for dining in the form of The Pheasant and The Star Inn at Harome.

Further down the coast and you can continue to explore the diverse Yorkshire coastline discovering the wide, sandy beaches at Fraisthorpe, the towering chalk escarpment of The RSPB Bempton Cliffs Nature Reserve and, beyond that the bustling seaside town of Scarborough.

With the Cleveland Way passing just below the garden of Bay View Cottage, walkers will be in heaven. If you head south, the trail takes you to Ravenscar, passing several cafes, before it drops down into the delightful, wooded bay of Hayburn Wyke where you can stop and enjoy the waterfall and admire the stone pebble beach. Nearby, the Hayburn Wyke Inn is a great source for refreshments to charge you onwards towards Scarborough Castle. Northwards on the trail will afford you outstanding views across the landscape and sea with the occasional sudden drops to sea level at Boggle Hole and Stoupe Beck before reaching Robin Hood's Bay.

The Cinder track, a former disused railway line, is a popular off-road track which passes by the entrance to Bay View Cottage and provides further excellent walking and cycling opportunities. The track stretches from Scarborough through to Whitby, passing through both Robin Hood's Bay and Ravenscar.

Robin Hood’s Bay is a true gem of the Yorkshire Coastline and can be easily accessed on foot - via the Cleveland way, the beach and the cinder track - or by car. Hugged by brooding cliffs and with a charming village of quaint cottages that spill right down to the water's edge it is as pretty as it is interesting. Explore the twisting cobbled streets and alleyways dipping in and out of shops or explore the natural history of the magnificent bay - these cliffs form part of Yorkshire's dinosaur coastline. Dating back to the Jurassic period, the rocks hide treasures that date back millions of years, while fossils and ammonites are often found washed up on the beach below.

Slightly further north is the coastal town of Whitby, which is well-known for its long sandy beach and delicious seafood that can be enjoyed whatever the weather! For a different day out, why not climb the famous 199 steps to reach the ruins of Whitby Abbey? A place of beautiful views and gothic splendour it is said to have been the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Count Dracula.

There is plenty to see and do in the local area and in the nearby larger towns of both Whitby and Scarborough. Bay View Cottage is within great proximity to many charming villages such as Sandsend, Runswick Bay and Staithes which can offer the best that the Yorkshire coast has to offer including scenery, walking, and attractions. 

All of this part of the Yorkshire coastline sits within one of Britain's most extraordinary places: the North York Moors. Encompassing rolling moorland, rugged coastline, lush forests and enchanting dales, each exquisite landscape is within an hour's drive of Bay View Cottage. A unique way to travel and experience this wonderful area is to board the delightful heritage North York Moors Railway and travel back in time to a bygone era on one of the steam and diesel trains which pass though the magnificent Yorkshire Countryside.

The North York Moors National Park is home to some of the darkest skies in the UK and every February the Dark Skies Festival celebrates all things celestial. The North York Moors National Park was designated an International Dark Sky Reserve by the International Dark-Sky Association, one of only 18 in the world and don't forget that Bay View Cottage itself is an ideal stargazing spot!

C&C experiences

We invite you to enjoy the most coveted and exclusive local experiences available in the North of England and the South of Scotland on your next Crabtree & Crabtree adventure.

Find Out More

Walking in the North York Moors

Picturesque, tranquil, wonderful, the North York Moors are a breath of fresh air. Comprising over 1,400 miles of natural beauty, this enchanting region is home to heather moorland, pine forests, rolling hills and shimmering coastline, not to mention badgers, roe deer and hawks. Look closer and you’ll discover historic abbeys, castles and priories, traditional pubs and ‘hidden’ villages and hamlets.

Find Out More