Ravenscar is a quirky village built on spectacular cliffs. During Victorian times there were big plans for the village to rival Scarborough and Whitby, until the company responsible for its development became bankrupt.
Ravenscar (or Peak as it was known until 1897) was originally a hotbed of industry. It was one of the earliest chemical works in Britain, producing a chemical called Alum that was used in the textile industry to fix dyes on cloth and in the tanning industry to make leather supple and more durable.
During the early 1900s, plans were made to turn the village into a tourist resort to rival the popularity of nearby Scarborough. Roads were made, foundations were laid and sewers dug out. However, the expansion of the village never happened – the plans were eventually abandoned when the company responsible for its development became bankrupt. Today, parts of the unfinished village remain – eerily quiet streets in which nobody has ever lived...
Downloads
Walking leaflet:
Location map
Start:
National Trust Visitor Centre, Ravenscar
Distance:
5.1 km (3.2 miles)
Time:
3½ hours
OS Map:
OL27 North York Moors Eastern area
