Station Road
Robin Hood’s Bay
North Yorkshire
YO22 4RL
01947 880205
The Laurel stands on a bend of the narrow main street in Robin Hood’s Bay (photo 2) and its tall and narrow whitewashed facade and red pantiled roof stands in front of you as you climb to the top (photo 1).
Although it’s a steep climb from the harbour, the pub was as much involved in smuggling as the other pubs in the village. Robin Hoods Bay featured in the TV series Villages by the Sea presented by archaeologist Ben Robinson, and showed that a tunnel from the harbour used by smugglers reaches right up to the Laurel.
It’s a small pub dating from the 18th century and has stayed much the same size since then, with the original two rooms now merged into one. It serves no food but has a selection of gins, plus three real ales with the lovely Theakston’s Old Peculier always on tap. It’s full of thirsty tourists during the day but very much a locals pub at night. Two apartments are available to rent.
