Secret Caves and Smugglers Tales

The North Sea coastline was once the hive of smuggling activity, with the Yorkshire coastline at the heart of all activity. Robin Hood’s Bay, in Yorkshire was once the most notorious smuggling centre in England. The close location of the houses to one another meant that via a web of linked attics, cellars, secret doors and tunnels contraband goods could travel the length of the village without ever needing to see daylight. All houses hid within them secret cupboards, some so secret they were forgotten about and only discovered again by accident. Combined with the natural isolation of the bay and its hidden caves it was ideal for smugglers to sneak into and hide treasures. Treasures would often include spirits, such as whisky and geneva, blunderbusses, gunpowder and silk.

Evidence of smuggling is still in places evident along our coastline. At Ravenscar, North Yorkshire platforms are still visible within the rocks of the caves where lanterns used to be placed to help guide smugglers and their treasure inside. 

Smuggling was a closely guarded secret within the local community, with all offering to lend a hand, whether fishermen or clergy. The bounty was plenty for all, with a ships skipper receiving up to £250 per run. The punishment however if caught was high and often resulted in death at the gallows. Hiding of goods didn’t just stop at the houses either, women would be found with bladders full of spirit’s strung up beneath their petticoats, kegs would be found buried underneath piles of manure and yards of silk would be carried beneath people’s undergarments! The smuggling trade eventually declined with the reduction in duty for imported goods.

Rudyard Kipling - a smuggler’s song

If you wake at midnight, and hear a horse's feet, Don't go drawing back the blind, or looking in the street.
Them that ask no questions isn't told a lie. Watch the wall, my darling, while the Gentlemen go by!

Five and twenty ponies, Trotting through the dark - Brandy for the Parson, 'Baccy for the Clerk; Laces for a lady, letters for a spy, And watch the wall, my darling, while the Gentlemen go by!

Running round the woodlump if you chance to find, Little barrels, roped and tarred, all full of brandy-wine, Don't you shout to come and look, nor use 'em for your play. Put the brishwood back again - and they'll be gone next day!

If you see the stable-door setting open wide; If you see a tired horse lying down inside; If your mother mends a coat cut about and tore; If the lining's wet and warm - don't you ask no more!

If you meet King George's men, dressed in blue and red, You be careful what you say, and mindful what is said. If they call you "pretty maid," and chuck you 'neath the chin, Don't you tell where no one is, nor yet where no one's been!

Knocks and footsteps round the house - whistles after dark - You've no call for running out till the house-dogs bark.
Trusty's here, and Pincher's here, and see how dumb they lie - They don't fret to follow when the Gentlemen go by!

If you do as you've been told, 'likely there's a chance, You'll be given a dainty doll, all the way from France, With a cap of Valenciennes, and a velvet hood - A present from the Gentlemen, along o' being good!

Five and twenty ponies, Trotting through the dark - Brandy for the Parson, 'Baccy for the Clerk; Them that asks no questions isn't told a lie - Watch the wall, my darling, while the Gentlemen go by.