Sustainable Travel and Tourism in Robin Hood’s Bay

Robin Hood’s Bay is a truly special place, and we want to help protect it so future generations can enjoy it too. One way we can do this is by promoting sustainable travel and encouraging visitors to give back more than they take. By focusing on regenerative tourism, everyone wins—it enriches the visitor experience while also protecting the environment, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and supporting the local economy.

At Dock Cottage, one of the most characterful Robin Hood’s Bay holiday cottages, we’re making changes to become more sustainable. These are small steps, that we will build on year on year. Here are just a few of the steps we’re taking:

• We’ve installed a Hive heating system so energy is only used when the cottage is occupied.

• Curtains are fitted on all windows to reduce overnight heat loss, and draught excluders help to keep the warmth in.

• We’re in the process of switching to renewable energy with Octopus Energy.

• When washing bed linen and towels, we use the eco settings on the washing machine and try to wash at 30 degrees whenever possible.

  
  

We’re also encouraging sustainable travel to Robin Hood’s Bay. You can reach the village by rail and bus, and once you’re here, we suggest giving your car a holiday. From Dock Cottage you can easily explore on foot, hire bikes, or hop on the local bus that connects Robin Hood’s Bay to Whitby and Scarborough.

If you’d like to do your bit as a visitor to Dock Cottage, here are some of our top tips:

Top Tips for Sustainable Travel

1. Stay a While

Slow down and take time to appreciate everything Robin Hood’s Bay has to offer. Have you walked up to the historic church on the edge of the village? Or wandered the cobbled streets to discover hidden paths and new views?

By taking things slowly, you’ll really soak up the magic of the Bay. Live like a local, make connections, and enjoy the rhythm of village life. Can you spot the oldest house in Robin Hood’s Bay—or the famous whale bone arch?

2. Give Your Car a Holiday

One of the joys of staying in Robin Hood’s Bay cottages is that so much can be done on foot. From Dock Cottage, three of our favourite walks are:

• The short stroll to Boggle Hole

• The longer beach walk to Ravenscar to see the seals

• The dramatic coastal path to Whitby

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To go further afield, the Coastliner bus runs from the top of the village (Thorpe Lane) to Scarborough and Whitby. Or if you’d like to leave your car at home entirely, you can take the train to Scarborough and then hop on the bus directly to Robin Hood’s Bay.

For electric vehicles, there are two charging points in the village—at Bank Top car park and behind the doctor’s surgery on Station Road. The latter is free in the evenings and at weekends (you’ll just need the Project EV app and your own cable).

3. Conserve Water and Energy

Whilst staying at Dock Cottage, please do what you can to conserve resources:

• Turn off lights and appliances when not in use.

• Only boil the amount of water you need for your kettle.

• Try a four-minute shower.

  
  

The heating is managed by our Hive system, and radiators have thermostatic valves—so you can turn them down if you don’t need the extra warmth.

4. Shop Local

Support the community by shopping in Robin Hood’s Bay itself. It may be tempting to drive to a nearby supermarket, but every purchase in a local shop helps keep them thriving. Eat at the village restaurants, pick up treats in local cafés, and enjoy an ice cream on the beach.

Dock Cottage is proud to support local too:

• The cottage is cared for by a local housekeeper.

• The biscuits and coffee we provide are from Whitby businesses.

• The wallpaper in the twin bedroom was designed by Robin Hood’s Bay artist Jessica Hoggarth.

And remember—by booking directly with us (Matt and Sian), you’re supporting an independent business. Dock Cottage isn’t listed on Airbnb or Booking.com, so your booking makes a real difference.

5. Get Involved in Community Events

If you’d like to get hands-on, there are regular opportunities. Baytown Coffee often organises beach cleans, and North Yorkshire Council also hosts events. For example, on Wednesday 1st October there’s a “Clean Up Event” in Robin Hood’s Bay from 10am–2pm. Volunteers will meet outside the Victoria Hotel and work their way down to the beach, litter picking, weeding, and tidying pavements. To join in, just email cleanupevents@northyorks.gov.uk.

6. Two Minutes to Give Back

Giving back doesn’t take long. If you see litter on the beach, pick it up. If badgers have raided the bins, pop the rubbish back in. Little actions like these keep the village looking beautiful. It will also only take two minutes to read the Share with Care Guidance

These are just some of the ways we’re making Dock Cottage—and by extension, Robin Hood’s Bay more sustainable. The steps may seem small, but together they add up. We’ll continue building on them year after year.

If you have suggestions for how Dock Cottage could be more eco-friendly, we’d love to hear them in the comments below.