[5] The Marquess of Normanby's Mulgrave Estate[6] owns part of the land in the village which is also in the North Yorkshire Moors National Park.

The largest cave on the bay, Hob Hole, was so named as it was believed to be the home of a 'Hob' (or Boggart) in local folklore.

[3] Like other parts of the Yorkshire Coast, the area suffers from a high degree of coastal erosion which has made it a popular location for fossil hunting.

[13] Runswick Bay village covers an area of 620 hectares and has a peak seasonal population of 2,315, though permanent residence is low with a high degree of houses being holiday lets and second homes.

[11] It is split into two parts, the 'lower' red-roofed, cliff-side, former-fishing village,[14] and Runswick Bank Top, a hamlet located adjacent to farmland overlooking the bay, built around the intersection of the roads leading to Ellerby and Hinderwell.

[15] There is a sailing club, a pub, one car park, holiday cottages to rent, public toilets and a beachside cafe.