Ravenscar is known as 'the town that never was'. It was intended to be the next Scarborough and the Ravenscar Estate Company who owned much of the land in the area drew up plans for the town, put in roads and started building houses. A railway station and hotel was built and prospective purchasers were brought in by train to choose building plots. However, due to the inaccessibility of the beach and the height of the cliffs, the whole idea was dropped, and we are left with the hamlet and scattered houses that are here today.

There is access to the beach from Ravenscar. There is path round the edge of the golf course at Raven Hall Hotel. The path then winds steeply down to the shore (a climb of 600 feet). From the bottom, but only at low tide, there is access round to Stoupe Beck sands and then onto Robin Hood's Bay. This beach access is hard work and an easier option is to drive from Smugglers Rock up past the mast and down to the small car park at Stoupe Beck. From here it is only 130+ steps! down to the beach. It is a lovely walk from here to Robin Hood's Bay, and tide permitting you can walk both ways, or alternatively take the Cleveland Way (which also passes the car park). There are lots of places to walk in the - the old railway line from Whitby to Scarborough is very pleasant for walking and cycling and passes by the Hayburn Wyke pub and then the Station Tearooms at Cloughton, both of which are good places to stop off for a drink and something to eat. There are the old Alum Works in Ravenscar to explore.

There is a 9-holf course at Raven Hall 1/2 mile away and pony trekking in nearby Staintondale as well as the newly opened husky trekking centre almost next door. Cycle hire is available at Hawsker (just south of Whitby) and is directly on the old railway line.

Scarborough and Whitby are both about 20 minutes drive away, as is Robin Hood's Bay. Scarborough has two lovely beaches as well as amusement arcades fronting the beach in the south bay. The north bay is quieter and less developed. The town has a good shopping area and several supermarkets. The castle is worth a visit and you can see both bays at the same time from the top of castle hill. Numerous TV programmes have be made in Scarborough, and it is the setting for the programme 'The Royal' - you can see the hospital building at the end of the south cliff towards Holbeck Hall.

Whitby has it's famous abbey which can be reached by car or by the 199 steps from the old part of the town. There is 'Fortunes' where you can buy their own smoked kippers and of course the 'Magpie' fish and chip restaurant opposite the harbour.

Goathland (the setting for the TV programme 'Heartbeat') is about a 20 minute drive away and from here you can catch the North York Moors steam train which runs from Grosmont (further north) to Pickering.

There are many other lovely little villages on the moors to visit.