Few things beat a picnic with a sea view. And on this stretch of the North Yorkshire coast, you’re spoiled for choice: smugglers’ coves, working harbours, a failed Victorian resort, an actual medieval abbey on the horizon. Pack a bag, pick a spot below and go and sit somewhere beautiful for an hour or two.
Here’s where we’d send you, all within easy reach of Hotel Victoria.
1. Boggle Hole
If you only make it to one spot on this list, make it this one.
Walk south from Robin Hood’s Bay along the Cleveland Way and you’ll be there in about twenty minutes. The cove sits at the foot of a wooded valley, and the sea has carved the rocks into odd little hollows over the years. Local legend has it that smugglers once hid their goods here, which does wonders for a picnic’s atmosphere.
Check the tide before you set off. Then find a spot on the sand or the rocks, unpack your lunch and let the waves do the talking.
2. Robin Hood’s Bay Beach
Can’t be bothered to walk anywhere? Fair enough. The beach on our doorstep will do just fine.
At low tide, the rock pools and scaurs draw families and fossil hunters alike. The rock here dates back to the Jurassic period, so keep an eye out for ammonites while you eat. Behind you, the fishermen’s cottages tumble down towards the shore, which is about as good a backdrop as a sandwich has ever had.
Grab a bench along the seafront, or set up on the sand and look out over the North Sea. It’s the kind of beach you could happily lose an afternoon on.
3. The Cinder Track
Earn your lunch on this one. The Cinder Track is the old Scarborough to Whitby railway line, now a route for cyclists and walkers. It runs for 21 miles and is largely traffic free, bar a handful of short on road sections through the villages and towns along the way.
Pedal a stretch between Robin Hood’s Bay and Whitby and stop at one of the viewpoints en route. The coastal views alone make the ride worthwhile, so find a patch of grass, sit down and tuck in. It suits everyone: families with young children, experienced riders after a longer coastal adventure, and anyone in between.
Cycling from Hotel Victoria? The track starts just 200 metres from our front door. We offer secure, locked cycle storage on site, along with outdoor bike washing facilities and power points for charging electric bike batteries overnight. Settle in, unload the bikes and go.
4. Ravenscar
High above the bay sits Ravenscar, known locally as the town that never was. Victorian developers planned a whole seaside resort here in the 1890s, roads and sewers and all, and then simply never built it. What you get instead is open clifftop with nobody much about, which honestly might be an improvement on the original plan.
On a clear day, you can see right across to Robin Hood’s Bay and beyond. It’s an easy stop for walkers covering the Cleveland Way from the hotel.
5. Whitby’s West Cliff and Abbey Headland
A little further along, Whitby’s West Cliff offers grassy picnic spots with views over the harbour and the famous whalebone arch. Look across to the opposite headland and you’ll see the ruins of Whitby Abbey standing against the sky, which is a properly good view to have while eating a sandwich.
Time it for early evening if you can. The light does something to those abbey ruins that’s worth the wait.
6. Runswick Bay and Staithes
Both are an easy drive from Hotel Victoria, and each has its own character.
Runswick Bay’s beach slopes gently, so it suits families well: sandcastles, paddling, the works. Staithes feels different altogether. It’s a working harbour with cliffs on either side, and there’s still a small fleet of boats going out for crab and lobster. Less picture postcard, more proper fishing village, and all the better for it.
Before You Go
A few quick things worth remembering, whatever spot you choose:
- Check tide times before heading down to Boggle Hole or the beach
- Pack a rug or a blanket. It can get breezy up on the clifftops
- Take your rubbish home with you, or use the bins provided
Make It Part of a Coastal Staycation
A picnic feels even better as part of a longer break, and our Summer Staycation package suits this kind of exploring well. It’s a two night stay with family dining thrown in, a free kids’ dinner on the evening you eat with us, and a discount on bike hire, handy if you fancy riding out to one of the spots above. Prices start from £488 for two adults and two children sharing.
Take a look at our Staycations page for more on what a break here looks like, or head straight to the Offers and Breaks page for the full range of breaks running throughout the year.
And if you’re arriving by bike to make the most of the Cinder Track and the wider cycle network on our doorstep, remember: our secure cycle storage means you can settle in and start exploring straight away.
Plan Your Picnic Escape
From the smugglers’ cove at Boggle Hole to the clifftops at Ravenscar and the working harbour at Staithes, this coastline has a picnic spot for every mood. Book your stay at Hotel Victoria and make our Victorian hotel your base for finding them all.
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