Sunday 23 October 2011

Robin Hoods Bay

Last week we had a little holiday and spent four nights on the North Yorkshire coast staying in a wonderfully quirky cottage in the picturesque village of Robin Hoods Bay.

It was a dark and windy night when we reached the area, perfect weather for Dracula's arrival I thought as we passed through the outskirts of Whitby. We parked at the top of the village and carried our bags down through the little streets to our cottage (we preferred to do that than attempt to manoeuvre the car round the narrow streets). Even in the dark, we could tell we'd picked a lovely place to visit.

The next morning...

...we awoke to this view from our bedroom window, Blue skies, golden sunshine and such pretty cottages piled on top of one another up the steep cliffs. I couldn't wait to get out and explore the little streets and paths of the village, and the nearby beach and the cliffs. Of course I took my camera with me...

Just one of the 200 or so cottages in the village, all picture perfect. I love the contrast of the orange roof tiles, the white walls and the deep blue sky.

The narrow paths are a delight to wander, at every corner there is always something to see.

Our cottage was up at the top of the road on the right here. It was a perfect holiday cottage - well equipped, clean, very comfortable and with a curious layout - great for a week or so but which would probably drive you mad if you lived there permanently. Each room was on a different level and each level was connected by a spiral staircase. Ground level at the back of the cottage was equivalent to third level at the front.

There were several pleasant shops in the village for browsing...

Mmmmm!

N's favourite shop was the dinosaur museum, on his second visit he took his toy dinosaurs along to show "the man".

A's favourite shop was the one with this fairy display. Much time was spent gazing at the fairies in the window as the shop opened late and closed early so it wasn't till the final day that she was able to purchase one of her very own.

Although generally sunny it was also cold. I finished my car crochet project early so hubby could have a scarf to help keep him warm. It's just repeated rows of UK dc and is made from a £1 bargain ball of King Cole Riot DK, colourway Dude.

I enjoyed spending lots of time on the beach looking for fossils (and taking photos).

Look at those fantastic clouds.

It was nice to walk out along the beach and return via the cliff path.

Hawthorn tunnel.

I was impressed by the abundance of berries hereabouts, and I also saw lots of sloe berries which aren't very common round our way.

Yup, hogweed here too, silhoutted against the sea.

A smashing view from the cliff path of Robin Hoods Bay lit by the late afternoon sun.

While in the area we spent one day in Whitby.

Unfortunately, we picked one of the days the abbey was closed, but it was possible to get some nice views of it from over the wall.

A view of Whitby from near the abbey.

Whitby cows, with a ship on the North Sea behind.

Back to Robin Hoods Bay... I arranged a couple of mosaics with some of my pictures - there were just so many opportunities to take photos of lovely things...

The pointed arch seen here in one of the cottage gardens is made from a whale's jaw bone.

Here I like the sun or flower of pebbles that someone has made on the step.

This little fellow is to be found at the old coast guard station in the village, well worth a visit and entry is free too.

The very impressive sea wall which protects the village. More than 200 houses have fallen into the sea over the last 200 years prior to this wall being built in the 1970's.

One afternoon we headed out along the cliff path to the north of the village.

More blue skies, and some flowering hogweed, it could almost still be summer.

Beautiful views looking south across the bay.

Looks nice inland too.

Then later on...
A last walk down the hill from the cottage, heading for the beach...

A last shot at rock pooling for A...

A last look for fossils for me...

And a last photograph from the beach.

I would dearly have liked to have found a fossil. I never did find one on the beach, apparently it's the wrong time of year and it's better after the winter storms have loosened some new material...

...I did, however, find this one in the old post office shop for £1. It is from the Robin Hoods Bay beach, so that'll do for me.

Dramatic clouds seen from near the car park on the morning we left for home.

As I'd already finished the scarf, I worked on the blanket while it was hubby's turn to drive. I was going to take a photo of my car crochet but thought it might be more interesting to show the border crossing instead...

...blink and you've missed it!

On the whole, an excellent trip (aside from some dodgy roundabout navigation north of Newcastle on the way down (mine) and a huge tantrum on the beach on the first morning (A's). We'd like to go back for longer, perhaps when the weather's warmer too, though I'd imagine it's the kind of place to get pretty busy on a good day.

25 comments:

Country Rabbit said...

Thanks for sharing such a delightfully sweet place ;0)
i so enjoy your photography x

Hazel said...

Aww we went there last year and I have some very similar pictures! I love it there but unfortunately we weren't there to stay! x

Claire said...

And to think we ran out of time when on hols in 2007..........Robin Hood's bay sounded like such a lovely place to visit. Not quite so easy to pop back for a weekend, but a place to to put on the 'Bucket List'
Your photos are lovely and I wish that somehow I could step through the computer screen and actually be there.
Sounds like you had a wonderful holiday......

Love the October images as well, thanks for popping by mine......lovely to hear form you, have a great week.

Claire :}

**Anne** said...

We visited Robin's Hood Bay 24 years ago on a trip to the U.K. It was one of my favourite places of the whole trip.
Thanks for sharing your photos, they bring back wonderful memories,
Anne xx

Chaos, Kids, Crochet and Cake said...

We've never been to Yorkshire for a holiday, always drive through to get down south to Cornwall. Robin Hood's Bay looks gorgeous, your photos are beautiful as usual.
Well done on your car crochet, I'm always designated driver as husband would rather read and I get pathetically car-sick!
Hope back to school is stress-free!
Sandra x

Jennyff said...

I know Robin Hoods Bay well, in fact I've walked the whole coastline from Saltburn right down to Flamborough and I agree it is gorgeous. You certainly made the most of your time there, lovely photos.

driftwood said...

what a lovely trip. we holiday each year a few miles north at Staithes, very similar, but less busy. I know what you mean about the roundabouts north of Newcastle, we have gone wrong a few times!

Mrs. Micawber said...

I don't know where to start - everything is so beautiful. What an absolutely lovely place. Seaside villages have a charm all their own - the steep streets, the colourful houses, the ocean always in the background. That seawall is very impressive.

I've been thinking about England a lot lately and this post makes me REALLY want to get back there!

So glad you had a nice getaway. I like to crochet in the car as well.

Aunty Bee said...

Gorgeous photos, how lucky to visit such a fabulous place. I dragged my Classic studying son over to the computer to see the Roman soldiers on a previous post he loved them, what a wonderful part of the country you live in.

jee Q said...

very nice photos :) and the scarf is lovely ...

Clicky Needles said...

Looks like you had a fabby time!
Thanks for taking us.

Anonymous said...

What a lovely place to go, it is very pretty. Your photos show it off very well.

Louise said...

Gorgeous photos, I love the mosaics. I love Whitby but haven't been for a long, long time. My parents love Robin Hoods Bay and have been a few times but I've never see it before - it looks fantastic in your photos, I can't wait to revisit whitby and explore the bay now!

Lyn said...

Its been ages since we went to Robin's Hood Bay and I love it there, your photos are so gorgeous....as usual. Thanks for sharing them with us
xxx

Anonymous said...

Fabulous photos. We used to live in York and often meandered over the moors to Whitby to walk along the coast at weekends. Robin Hoods Bay is so lovely and your photos show it so well. I do recollect picking up lots of fossils further north at Runswick bay and Staithes....next time you go!
Kx

rockinloubylou said...

What fantastic photos. I love the wonky windows. So pleased you finally got a fossil! And I love the fairies in the window. I can imagine the magic a little girl would feel as she gazed in at them every day.

...Nina Nixon... said...

What a pretty, pretty place.

Nina x

Simone said...

A wonderful trip. Thank you for the blue skies.

Anonymous said...

What lovely pictures! We use to visit Robin Hood and Whitby often when we lived over that way, it was always a nice day out. Very picturesque and a good climb!

Rustic Vintage Country said...

Just found your blog via picture on Pinterest...amazing photos, I definately must take my man. I've yet to find a fossil,so I shall be heading up there asap.

Selfsewn said...

I thought you might like being a chicken! It was the only way to add some of the trickier names into the tale.

Gorgeous snaps by the way!!

sue said...

What a beautiful place! Love your photo collages they make such a lovely memory don't they!

Rustic Vintage Country said...

During the course of today, I'll have a look on Pinterest and let you know which photo led me here. Suzy

Rustic Vintage Country said...

Hi!, me again. Tracked down photo, it's on my I Love Scotland board and is the following pic: http://pinterest.com/pin/261781001/
Lovely! Suzy

Anonymous said...

Absolutely gorgeous, and fantastic photography. You've inspired me to take my lot there one of these days!

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