Family-friendly things to do on the Yorkshire Coast

A rainbow across the beach at Robin Hood's Bay — What will you find on your rockpooling adventure? | © Heather Tennant

It's hard to ever be bored on the Yorkshire Coast when there are so many family activities on offer. Find out what adventures you can have beside the seaside.

Rockpooling and beachcombing at Robin Hood's Bay

Rockpooling and beachcombing are absorbing ways to while away the hours when the tide is right. You might be surprised at how many different species you can discover on Yorkshire's rocky shores once the tide has left them exposed.

The beach is easily acceesible from the slipway at the bottom of the hill in Robin Hood's Bay, next to our cafe there inside the Old Coastguard Station.

Winter scene of family beachcombing at low tide on beach at Robin Hood's Bay — Explore the beaches along the Yorkshire coast at low tide | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

New in Ravenscar - a countryside family trail

We've created a fun, family-friendly Ravenscar countryside trail exploring the fascinating history and natural history of Ravenscar.

Drop into the visitor centre to purchase a trail booklet and map before heading out on a short walk around the surrounding countryside. Find out about what exactly was in the barrels at the Alum Works, look for signs of wildlife in Bluebell woods and try to spot a Ravenscar Brick. Call back to the visitor centre with your completed booklet to get a sticker then enjoy some refreshments.

Ravenscar Visitor Centre in late spring with Robin Hood's Bay in background — Enjoy all your favourite National Trust hot drinks and snacks at our visitor centres | © Andrew Davies

Our visitor centres

We have two visitor centres on the Yorkshire coast, at Ravenscar and Robin Hood's Bay. The Ravenscar Visitor Centre and The Old Coastguard Station at Robin Hoods Bay are open daily (please see our homepage for opening times).

In Ravenscar, pop in to delve into stories of life on the coast and find out about the fascinating story of ‘The Town That Never Was’. At Robin Hood's Bay, have a look at our exhibition room and be inspired to do some beachcombing by our collection of fossils on display.

Both centres have National Trust cafes where you can take a break from outdoor activities with a warming drink and snack or browse a selection of second-hand books.

We are wheelchair accessible with the Old Coastguard Station having an outdoor ramp available on request, as well as a lift to access the exhibition.

Cycle the Cinder Track

The Cinder Track follows the old Scarborough and Whitby railway line and offers excellent views of the surrounding coastline and countryside.

The Whitby to Hawsker section of the track offers flat easy cycling on a good surface for families, whilst the Robin Hood's Bay to Ravenscar section provides more challenging terrain and may be suitable for more experienced cyclists.

The Ravenscar easy cycle loop is a trail ideal for families with beginners on two wheels.

Walking and cycling on the Yorkshire Coast