Robin Hood's Bay Live Cam

A beautiful old fishing village on the Heritage Coast of the North York Moors






Robin Hood's Bay History

Robin Hood's Bay is a picturesque village located on the coast of North Yorkshire, England. Its history dates back to the 16th century when it was a bustling fishing port and center for smuggling.

The village is said to have been named after the legendary outlaw Robin Hood, who is said to have frequented the area. However, the name could also refer to a more literal meaning, with "robin" being a local term for seaweed, and "bay" referring to the bay area where the village is located.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, Robin Hood's Bay was a major center for smuggling. The narrow streets and hidden alleys provided the perfect cover for smugglers to transport their contraband goods, including tobacco, alcohol, and tea, from the coast to the rest of the country. The village's location also made it an ideal spot for smugglers to evade customs officials.

Despite the illegal activities, Robin Hood's Bay continued to grow as a fishing port, with the catch of herring being particularly important to the local economy. However, with the decline in the fishing industry and the crackdown on smuggling in the 19th century, the village's fortunes began to wane.