Ravenscar + the seal colony // A walk on the wild side
There are few places on this stretch of coast that feel quite as wild as Ravenscar.
Perched high above the sea, with huge views across Robin Hood’s Bay and along the cliffs, it’s worth visiting for the landscape alone. But make your way down towards the shoreline and there’s another reason to come: Ravenscar’s seal colony.
It’s one of our favourite places to send guests who want to see a slightly wilder side of the Yorkshire Coast — part wildlife encounter, part proper coastal walk, with a surprising amount of history along the way.
And afterwards, there are several very good reasons to stay at the top for a while.
Grey seals resting among the rocks and seaweed at the foot of the cliffs at Ravenscar on the Yorkshire Coast.
Getting there //
Ravenscar is an easy drive north from The Lodge, following the coast towards Robin Hood’s Bay.
Park in the village and take a moment before heading anywhere. From up here, the views across the Bay are some of the best on this stretch of coast.
Ravenscar also sits on both the Cleveland Way and Cinder Track, so you don't necessarily have to tackle the steep route to the shoreline to make a day of it.
INSIDER TIP >>
Walk down to the seals. The seals gather on the rocky shoreline below Ravenscar, reached via a steep walk down from the clifftop.
And when we say steep, we mean it.
The route takes you from the exposed clifftop down towards the old alum works and eventually the shore. It’s beautiful, but you'll want proper footwear and enough energy left for the climb back up.
Once you reach the seals, please give them plenty of space.
They're wild animals and this is their habitat, not a wildlife attraction. Stay well back, never approach or attempt to touch them, and be particularly cautious when pups are present.
Dogs should be kept on a lead and well away from the seals at all times. Never allow a dog to approach, chase or investigate a seal, however calm either animal appears.
Avoid getting between a seal and the sea, and if a seal looks alert to your presence or begins to move away, you're already too close.
The best way to see them is from a respectful distance. Find somewhere to sit, stay quiet and watch.
Look for the old alum works //
On the way down, look out for traces of Ravenscar's old alum industry.
The remains scattered across the landscape are a reminder that this seemingly wild stretch of coastline was once an industrial site. Alum was extracted from the local shale and used in industries including textile dyeing and tanning.
It's easy to walk straight past without knowing what you're looking at, so keep an eye out for the interpretation along the route.
It adds another layer to what is already a brilliant walk.
The village that never was //
Ravenscar has another rather curious story.
At the end of the 19th century, ambitious plans were drawn up to transform the clifftop into a fashionable seaside resort — complete with roads and building plots.
The development never really took off.
Today, traces of those plans can still be seen in the unusually laid-out roads and landscape, earning Ravenscar its nickname: “the town that never was.”
Knowing the story makes wandering around the top of Ravenscar considerably more interesting. What initially looks like a tiny coastal village starts to reveal clues to something much grander that was supposed to be here.
The climb back up //
There's no getting around this bit.
The return from the shoreline is a proper climb, so allow considerably more time than the distance might suggest. Take water, wear good walking shoes and don't rush it.
Fortunately, there's something waiting at the top.
Coffee + something sweet //
Our favourite post-walk stop is the Old Station Tea Room. Set in Ravenscar’s former railway station, it’s a lovely place to stop for coffee, cake or something to eat — particularly if you’re continuing your walk along the Cinder Track.
Looking towards the dramatic cliffs of Ravenscar across the fields from Fylingdales.
A Cleveland Way signpost near Ravenscar, where the coastal path and Cinder Track offer several ways to explore on foot.
The sweeping view across Robin Hood’s Bay from Grand Villa Heights — arguably one of the best views of the Yorkshire coastline.
Or stay for the view //
If you fancy turning the walk into more of an occasion, head to the newly renovated Grand Villa Heights.
Its position high above the coast gives it a fairly unbeatable view across Robin Hood’s Bay. Stop for a drink or something to eat and give your legs a rest before heading back towards Burniston.
On a clear day, we'd struggle to think of many better places around here to sit with a drink and look out to sea.
Make it a bigger walk //
Ravenscar is also brilliant territory for a longer walking day.
Follow the Cleveland Way towards Robin Hood’s Bay for clifftop paths and enormous sea views, or pick up the Cinder Track for a gentler route along the former Scarborough-to-Whitby railway line.
You can make it as long or as short as you like.
Although after walking down to the seals and back, you may decide you've done quite enough.
THE DETAILS>>
Ravenscar // North Yorkshire
From The Lodge // around 20 minutes by car
Best for // seals · wildlife · coastal views · local history · walking
Allow // a few hours
Wear // proper walking shoes — the route can be steep, uneven and muddy
OUR ROUTE // Park at Ravenscar → walk down past the old alum works → see the seals from a respectful distance → climb back up → coffee at the Old Station Tea Room → look for traces of the village that never was → finish with a drink overlooking the Bay at Grand Villa Heights.
GOOD TO KNOW // The seals are wild animals. Keep your distance, keep dogs on leads and never get between a seal and the sea. If your presence is causing a seal to react, move further away.
