Ravenscar Beach

About Ravenscar Beach

Ravenscar has one of the quieter beaches on the Yorkshire coast but isn’t as secluded as others, so makes for a good option for families looking for somewhere to explore. The majority of the beach is rocky and rugged, rather than sandy, with some remanence of the Peak Alum Works left to see.

Ravenscar is a small coastal village and headland on the North Yorkshire coast of England, positioned between Scarborough and Whitby. It stands high on cliffs overlooking Robin Hood’s Bay and lies within the North York Moors National Park. Often described as the “town that never was,” Ravenscar is known as much for its dramatic setting and unusual history as for its quiet, windswept atmosphere.

The village sits on a broad plateau above steep cliffs, offering wide panoramic views across the North Sea and along the coastline. From the clifftop paths, visitors can see Robin Hood’s Bay below and, on clear days, far-reaching stretches of the Yorkshire coast. The landscape around Ravenscar is open and rugged, with grassy moorland, rocky edges, and a strong sense of exposure to the elements. This gives the area a wild and remote feel, even though it is accessible by road and footpaths.

Ravenscar’s history is one of ambition and disappointment. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, it was planned as a major seaside resort, intended to rival Scarborough. Streets were laid out, a railway station was built, and facilities such as a hotel and golf course were developed. However, poor transport links, harsh weather conditions, and competition from established resorts meant that the grand plans never fully succeeded. As a result, Ravenscar remains sparsely developed, with wide roads and open spaces that hint at what might have been.

Are dogs allowed on Ravenscar Beach?

There are no activities at Ravenscar beach but you can look out for seals which take up residence on the rocks nearby. For the younger ones, you can try rock pooling or look for shells on the shore.

Getting to Ravenscar Beach

Address: Ravenscar Beach, Scarborough YO13 0LX

Located just under 4 miles South of Robin Hood’s Bay and 10 miles North of Scarborough, Ravenscar is easily accessible from either direction.

On foot

Walking to Ravenscar from a neighbouring seaside town or village is a great way to see what the Yorkshire coast has to offer. Located between Whitby and Scarborough, Ravenscar is on the popular Cleveland Way trail so you can get there by following the coast line. You can access the Cleveland way at any point between Whitby and Scarborough depending on your level of fitness.

By car

There are no pay and display car parks in Ravenscar village, but on-street parking is available on Raven Hall Road. You can use the following address for navigation: Raven Hall Road, Ravenscar, Scarborough, YO13 0NA

By bus

There are two buses per day going from Scarborough to Ravenscar. When our writer tried to make this journey, the bus didn’t stop at the bus station in Scarborough, so make sure you place your arm out clearly as the bus approaches otherwise it may just drive on.