What to Do in Robin Hood’s Bay with Children

With the school holidays approaching, we thought it would be helpful to share some of the best things to do in Robin Hood’s Bay with children. Whether you're staying at Dock Cottage or just visiting for the day, there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained.

Arriving in Robin Hood’s Bay

If you're driving in, aim to arrive early – car parks can fill up quickly by lunchtime.

Car Parks:

• Station Car Park (opposite the Victoria Hotel)

• Bank Top Car Park (opposite The Grosvenor)

No parking in the lower bay – so park up and enjoy a lovely walk down the cobbled streets, passing independent shops and tearooms along the way.

Winter Parking Bonus: Car parks are free until early March!

Top Things to Do in Robin Hood’s Bay with Children

1. Explore the Robin Hood’s Bay Museum

• Step into the past. This small but fascinating museum is packed with stories of smuggling, shipwrecks, and life in the bay. Kids will love the interactive displays, and best of all, it’s free (though donations are appreciated).

• Location: On your way down into the bay.

• Opening times: Usually weekends and holiday periods (run by volunteers)

  
  

2. Get Creative at the Old Coastguard Station

Hands-on activities & interactive exhibits make this a great stop for children. Run by the National Trust, it offers:

• Fun displays about coastal wildlife

• Interactive learning about tides and rock pools

• Seasonal craft activities

• A great little café with stunning sea views

• Summer guided rock pooling & beachcombing sessions

3. Fossil Hunting & Beach Adventures

Robin Hood’s Bay Beach is a fossil hunter’s dream

• Look for ammonites and belemnites along the rocky shore.

• Try to spot Whitby Jet, a fossilised gemstone (tip: rub it on porcelain—if it leaves a brown streak, it’s real Jet!).

• Keep an eye out for sea glass, often washed up in smooth, colourful pieces.

Tip: Wear wellies or beach shoes—the rocks can be slippery!

Want more tips? Read our guide: [Robin Hood’s Bay Beach: A Coastal Treasure on the Yorkshire Coast]

4. Ghost Walk & Smugglers Tour

• Step into the past with spine-tingling tales and smuggling secrets. Join one of the local ghost walks which start just outside Dock Cottage. As you wander through the cobbled streets and narrow alleys, your storyteller, Rose, will bring to life haunting legends and eerie ghostly encounters.

• Smugglers Tour: Be entertained by tales of cunning smugglers and their battles with the revenue men, uncovering Robin Hood’s Bay’s rich history of secret tunnels and hidden contraband.

Tours run regularly during peak times

5. Sweet Treats & Family-Friendly Cafés

• Dollies – The village sweet shop since 1928—packed with classic pick ‘n’ mix, waffles, and ice cream. Look out for the ice cream truck on the beach.

• Browns – Handmade chocolates, fudge, and a chocolate fountain (a must-visit for chocolate lovers!).

• Family-friendly cafés: The Cove, Tea, Toast & Post, Elle Estelles & Brambles 

  
  

6. Adventure Trails & Treasure Hunts

Turn the village into a real-life treasure hunt! Treasure Trails offer a themed walking Treasure Trail, where kids can uncover secrets of the smugglers while exploring the village.

• Duration: Around 2 hours

• Get it: Download to your phone or order a printed booklet (one trail is great for 4–5 people).

Can you solve the mystery of the Smugglers’ Stash?

7. Visit the Dinosaur Museum & Fossil Shop

Did you know Robin Hood’s Bay has its own dinosaur fossil shop? Pop in to see:

• Fossil & dinosaur skeleton displays

• Fun facts about the Jurassic Coast

• Buy a fossil as a souvenir—if you haven’t found one on the beach!

A great stop for little palaeontologists-in-the-making.

8. Cosy Games & Movie Nights at Dock Cottage

After a day of exploring, snuggle up at Dock Cottage with:

• Board games & puzzles (provided at the cottage)

• A movie afternoon with hot chocolate & popcorn—perfect for winding down!

Day Trips Further Afield

If you're staying a few days, here are some brilliant family day trips nearby:

• Goathland – Take a steam train ride on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

• Whitby – Try crabbing in the harbour or hop on a pirate-themed boat ride.

• Ravenscar – Spot seals basking on the rocks!

• Falling Foss – A woodland walk with a hidden waterfall.

• Alpamare Water Park (Scarborough) – Splash-filled fun with slides & a wave pool.

• Dalby Forest – Great for cycling & adventure play areas.

Top Tips for Exploring Robin Hood’s Bay with Kids

• Footwear: Wellies or sturdy shoes – the beach can be rocky and wet.

• Check the tides: Nothing’s more disappointing than arriving when the sea is all the way in!

• That Hill! No escaping it—but the winding paths through the cottages make the walk more interesting and less steep.

• Playground Hack: Save the playground with its big wooden pirate ship for the way back up—a great motivator to get kids up the hill!

  
  

Enjoy Your Stay at Dock Cottage!

We hope you have a fantastic time in Robin Hood’s Bay! Whether you're exploring the beach, hunting for fossils, or tucking into delicious treats, there’s plenty of fun for the whole family.

Have a question? Need recommendations? Just ask—we’re always happy to help!

Sian & Matt