Coast to Coast

Ness Point, Bay Ness, Coast to Coast

Coast to Coast at Ness Point

Coast to Coast path at Ness Point

Ness Point, Roboin Hood's Bay, Coast to Coast

Ness Point is also known as North Cheek, and is a maritime rocky feature with a fearsome reputation amongst ancient mariners. It is located due north of Robin Hood's Bay and forms the Eastern ear of the stretch of coast between Whitby and Robin Hood's Bay. Because it extends further into the North Sea on this coastal stretch its sub-marine rocks have snared many sailing vessels while sailing the rough weather, and there are many broken up ship wrecks between Ness Point and Whitby.

A small distance south of Ness Point is Ness Ruck, another rocky coastal feature. To the west of Ness Point and Ness Ruck is the Cinder Track and an equal distance further west is the Bay Ness farm and camping complex. Dungeon Hole is 1 mile south west.

Ness Ruck Robin Hood's bay


Ness Ruck is about 200m south of Ness Point, where the rocky shoreline begins to curve west to form the north arc of Robin Hood's Bay. At Ness Ruck the rocky foreshore does not extend as far into the sea as elsewhere along this stretch of coast, which may give meaning to the term 'Ruck'.

Bay Ness Slack Ness Ruck


Bay Ness Slack is the slight dip in the land that runs along the field boundary, veering away as the boundary turns east then north. The water from the Slack tumbles over the shoreline cliffs at Ness Ruck, producing a waterfall as it does so. In inclement weather the Slack spills over the fields and the Coast to Coast path near the cliff edge.

Bay Ness Slack Coast to Coast


During inclement weather Bay Ness Slack soon fills the shallow depth of its gutter and spills over the Coast to Coast path. The image was taken from the Path, looking upstream towards the Issues.

Ness Point Robin Hood's Bay


This is the corner or Cheek of Robin Hood's Bay, and one of the most dangerous sections of subterranean rocks for unwary sailing vessels. This is where the Saab-J, a fishing trawler, met its doom in 1994. The wreckage has for the most part disappeared now. The four man crew were all rescued by helicopter.

Ness Point Coast Guard Look Out


Ness Point was once so dangerous to shipping that it used to have its own lifeboat service, which operated until 1931. It rescued 91 people during its 50 years of service. There is a disused Look Out Tower erected in the field above Ness Point. It is located at the top of the hill and painted a brilliant white colour.

Rocket Post Field


Rocket Post Field is sited above Dungeon Hole. It has a replica of the real Rocket Post that used to be stationed there, just visible to the right of the sign in the image. The rocket was fired across to the breached vessel, carrying a thin line. This was attached to a thick rope and hauled into the vessel. It was attached to the mast. The other end was attached to the Rocket Post. With the rope was a breeches buoy, to be worn by the persons being rescued to support them while being hauled to shore, one by one, along the rope.

Coast to Coast Trail Guide

Hiking the Coast to Coast


"Hiking the Coast to Coast" is a digitally enhanced eBook available from Apple Books for all people who have either a Mac, an iPhone or an iPad, and is designed to accompany you on your walk of the Coast to Coast path. The trail guide contains Ordnance Survey maps and other advanced mapping features, step by step directions, hundreds of colour photographs, details of the route, its conditions in different weather and research snippets relating to places of interest along the way.