Once an ideal location for smuggling thanks to the natural isolation of the area, many of the houses in ‘Bay are said to be connected by cupboards or passages in the cellar and the pubs played a major role in the smuggling industry.

The museum is staffed entirely by volunteers. Pat Labistour was a local expert and author on smuggling and she recently left Robin Hood’s Bay and donated her smuggling memorabilia to the museum.

On display is a model of a smuggler’s house and a model of a female smuggler wearing authentic costume with secret pockets.

The museum has a history dating back to 1891 and was originally a coroner’s room and mortuary.

“The mortuary was probably built as at that time, there would have been a lot of shipwrecks, drownings and bodies washed up on the beach,” said Alan Staniforth, honorary curator.

It went on to become a library and reading room.

In the 1980s the building was purchased by the Museum Trust which organised their first exhibition.

The museum has recently received funding from the museum and libraries archives of £500 which paid for advice and mentoring from a professional design team and then a small professional display with professional signage.

The illicit trade of smuggling flourished on the Yorkshire coast due to its varied coastline and reached its peak in the 18th Century

Smuggled goods included brandy, geneva (gin), tobacco, tea, coffee and chocolate.

One popular smuggling route was the old Robin Hood’s Bay road, known as the salt road, as salt was smuggled along it in the 18th Century.

The penalties for smuggling varied from hanging or deportation to a term in the army or navy and smuggling declined in the 1820s as spirit duties gradually reduced.

Mr Staniforth told the Whitby Gazette: “We have had a revamp and museum advisers from Scarborough have helped to improve the displays which were getting a bit jaded.

“We’ve been quite busy this summer with plenty of visitors through the doors.

“It depends on the weather.”

Other exhibits include local geology, farming and shipping memorabilia.

One volunteer at the museum is Ian Taylor (61) who has lived in ‘Bay all his life apart from a brief stint as a London postie in the 1960s.

Visitors Stuart and Nicola Gande from Galway said they found the museum displays very interesting and nicely presented.

The museum on Fisherhead is open from midday to 4pm every day during the summer.

Admission is 50p for adults and 10p for children

New volunteers are always needed and it is hoped to extend opening beyond August by securing more.

Anyone interested in volunteering and/or any organisations and or school groups who are interested in visiting the museum should contact Alan on 880260 who can arrange to open on request.