How to Make Your Stay in Runswick Bay the Perfect UK Short Break
Thinking of heading to Runswick Bay for a long weekend or mid-week getaway? Whatever the reason for your short break in this picturesque North Yorkshire coastal location, we’ve got tonnes of ideas on how to make sure your stay is exactly what you needed.
We’ll take a look at fun activities to do whether you’re travelling alone or with your family, nearby towns and attractions to explore, as well as answering some of the top questions asked about visiting Runswick Bay.
As a bonus, we’ve even given you a sneak insight into our new sustainable hotel being developed at the former site of the original Cliffemount Hotel, which will be opening in late 2025.
What Makes Runswick Bay So Popular?
There are many reasons why Runswick Bay is loved by so many, but the most popular reason has to be how naturally beautiful it is - if it’s artificially created views and surroundings you’re looking for, Runswick Bay definitely isn’t for you.
No, what you get here is the real deal. Perfectly imperfect cliff tops, a long sandy beach with areas of soft sand ideal for barefoot walking, seashells and rocks surrounding small caves where sea life often hangs out, and of course the view of the red roof cottages Runswick Bay Village is so famous for.
Unlike other North Yorkshire coastal locations, Runswick Bay has a more vintage and calmer feel to it – one of the reasons why those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of life choose it as a getaway location. Because it’s a former fishing village, there’s a strong sense of community the minute you arrive, which adds that little extra to every visit.
Traditionally, there’s a family run café hiding in the corner of the bay where you can enjoy a drink, grab a bite of homemade food or treat yourself to a tasty ice cream.
Beyond the sandy beaches, you’ll also find a little village of houses and tourist accommodation connected by narrow, windy streets – a real experience for those who enjoy the traditional English village vibe.
If this all sounds like your thing, Runswick Bay is definitely for you.
Fun Facts:
Miranda Krestovnikoff, one of the presenters of the BBC series Coast, voted Runswick Bay Britain’s best beachcombing location.
In 2021, Runswick Bay was voted as one of 10 of Britain's prettiest seaside villages by The Guardian.
Runswick Bay was once well known as a fishing village, though a landslide in 1682 destroyed most of the original village and the trade declined. The village was completely rebuilt but further South on the side of the cliffs to prevent future damage.
A £2.28 million-pound award-winning coastal erosion protection scheme was completed in 2018 to protect the village for another 100 years.
In the late 1880s, Runswick Bay was the site of an art colony.
Family Friendly Beach Activities in Runswick Bay
The beach, sometimes referred to as Runswick Sands, is where most visitors like to spend their time during the day. With 2km of naturally occurring white sands to enjoy alongside the spectacular views, you can be satisfied by simply walking the stretch. But if it’s a little more activity you’re looking for, there’s plenty of activities to keep you entertained – even on colder or wetter days.
Fossil Hunting
The neighbouring town of Whitby, affectionately known as the Dinosaur Coast, is famous for its fossils and this means beaches to the South and North, such as Runswick bay, hide a good selection of prehistoric finds too. If you’re into history, spending the day searching the tidal debris and rock pools for Ammonites and reptile remains will be right up your street.
Water Sports
Runswick Bay beach benefits from the shelter of the surrounding cliffs, meaning the seas and winds are often calm – convenient for those interested in water sports. Whilst it’s not the ideal location for surfing, body boarding and kayaking are very popular in the area. We’d recommend bringing your own equipment and being with someone who is experienced, as there are no on-beach facilities such as equipment hire or lessons from professionals.
Paddle or Swim
It’s North Yorkshire so the waters are cold, even on hotter days. But that doesn’t mean to say you can’t enjoy a swim or paddle. Because the edges are quite shallow and the seas are generally calm, children – and dogs - can often be seen paddling and splashing around. Those feeling a little bit braver with a bit more swimming experience and strength prefer to go for a swim a little further out. It’s quite a refreshing experience and good for the body and mind, so give it a whirl! Bear in mind that Runswick Bay doesn’t have lifeguards on the beach during the winter months, so take care and don’t go beyond your limits. During the Summer, RNLI are present and Runswick does have its own Rescue Boat Crew.
Have a Picnic
Everyone loves a picnic on the beach, right? Runswick Bay is an ideal location for a picnic due to the large areas of rock free, soft white sands. With stunning views all around and the calmness of the sea to listen to, you could spend hours just sat on your blanket or in your deck chair enjoying your favourite picnic food and drink. Don’t worry if you forget your sandwiches or need and extra cup of tea, there’s a lovely beachside café serving a variety of snacks and drinks.
Nearby Towns and Villages
Runswick Bay is ideally situated for those looking to explore a little more of the North Yorkshire Coast.
Whitby, a bustling seaside town with stunning harbour views, is just 8.7 miles away.
Staithes, a coastal village known for its cobbled streets and charming character is just 2.5 miles away.
Sandsend, a small but popular fishing village with 3 miles of beach and a charming beach café is just 5.6 miles away.
Scarborough, your traditional British seaside with arcades, shops and miles of beach, is a little further away at 27.5 miles but still worth the visit.
Walking in Runswick Bay
Avid walkers love Runswick Bay because of the many routes surrounding this stunning coastal location, most of which are part of The Cleveland Way National Trail. Though the entire trail is 109 miles and runs from Helmsley to Filey, many use Runswick Bay as a starting point to walk part of the trail, usually to Sandsend, Whitby or Staithes.
The links below provide some short and long walks you may enjoy during your stay:
Our Runswick Bay Hotel
In Autumn 2025, we’re bringing to Runswick Bay a hotel with a difference. The new Hotel, Cliffemount will be more than just a place to stay, it will be an experience infused by local history, serenity and natural beauty. It will be a destination where in every direction you look you can appreciate something different about the picturesque village and bay of Runswick.
Having spent many years making fond memories in Runswick Bay, our family saw an opportunity to give back when the former Cliffemount Hotel closed down. But we didn’t want to simply reopen the same hotel, we wanted to do more. More for the residents, more for the tourists and more for the environment. That’s why we fought hard to seek approval to redevelop the site and rebuild Cliffemount to try and be the first Passivhaus hotel within the UK.
With the approval now in place, we’re redeveloping the entire site and replacing the existing hotel with a brand-new building that follows a voluntary efficiency design standard aiming to reduce our ecological footprint, resulting in an ultra-low energy output. This means our guests will not only enjoy their stay with us because of the experience, but they’ll feel peace knowing their impact on the environment is minimal.
Once the redevelopment is complete, Cliffemount will proudly stand on the cliff tops overlooking the bay and will comprise 20 uniquely designed bedrooms, alongside a restaurant, pub and bar, all of which will be open to both our guests and the general public.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Runswick Bay is a dog-friendly beach, meaning dogs are allowed all year round. It’s an ideal place to take your dog to let off some steam due to the long sandy beach and shallow sea edges. Remember, if you are taking your dog and it has to go to the bathroom, pick it up and put it in the bin.
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Yes. There are two main car parks in Runswick Bay, both offered by North Yorkshire Council. Bank Bottom Car Park, closest to the beach, is open 24 hours 7 days a week. Whilst it’s free to park during Winter months, charges do apply between March 1st and October 31st. Bank Top Car Park, also close but not as close to the beach, is again open 24 hours 7 days a week and charges apply between March 1st and October 31st. Both car parks are medium sized but do fill up fast in spring and summer months. If you’re a guest at a local hotel, it may be better to leave your car in their car park and walk to the beach.
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Runswick Bay is regarded as a safe place for swimming, especially given the calmness of the sea. However, there are no lifeguards on the beach, so care must always be taken.
