Tide turns for visitors as attraction adds pool view

The octagonal rock pool tank is part of a revamped exhibition at the National Trust’s Old Coastguard Station at Robin Hood’s Bay which also looks at the local history of smuggling.

Kate Horne, communications and engagement officer for the National Trust, said: “There’s a high tide twice a day so if people are visiting and do not know the tide times, they can expect the beach to be there and, if the tide is in, there is no beach at all. So this gives them chance to see what is in the rock pools.”

The exhibition features new interactive models and offers visitors chance to learn more about the coast’s geology, wildlife, the impact of the elements and its history of smuggling.

Centre manager Michele Taylor said: “The coastal service was set up as a water guard service, it was like a member of the police force. It was purely to stop smuggling.”

The quiet, isolated villages along the coast lent themselves well to efforts to avoid tax and Robin Hood’s Bay was no exception.

“It has been said that at Robin Hood’s Bay everyone benefited from smuggling – from the fishermen to the lord of the manor,” said Mrs Taylor. “They reckon you could get a barrel of rum or a bale of silk from the beach right up to the village without it being seen because all the houses were inter-connected.

“When they did get the coastguards they had to bring them from out of the area because none of the locals would do it.”

Parts of the exhibition will be renewed on a regular basis and visitors can learn about the work of National Trust rangers and find out about local attractions.