04 February 2023 , 23:04
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Pictures show the incredible haunted cave that was used by smugglers and sits right beneath a tourist hot spot.
Visitors to Flamborough, on the east coast of England, might not be expecting to tread the same paths as smugglers, but a bit of a walk off the beaten track and they will be.
The chalk cliffs are a popular attraction with visitors, but if they time it right, they might notice the number of caves and openings dotted along the white cliffs.
At low tide, it's possible to access the cliffs, and one, in particular, is an impressive find filled with myth and legend.
Known as Robin Lythe’s Hole, it can be found a short way out from the local North Landing beach.
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Robin Lythe’s Hole - although stories disagree on who Robin Lythe was (Getty Images)Once you’re past the unassuming entrance, explorers are greeted by a bit of a climb up the rocks.
At first it's quite cramped and narrow, but eventually the cave expands out into an impressive cavern.
Nearly 60ft high, the cavern is lit by two separate holes - one on the land side and the other looking out on the sea, HullLive reported.
Stories claim the cave was once used by smugglers, but it may not have been the only one along the cliff to have been used in such a fashion (Getty Images)The almost cathedral-like cave has a domed roof and arches formed from erosion from waves over thousands and thousands of years.
The floor has the appearance of a regular flight of stone steps but you need to be careful as the ground is uneven and can be slippery with pools of sea water in places.
Despite the stories surrounding the cavern, there is some doubt surrounding the exact identity of Robin Lythe.
Inside the chalk cliffs the cave rises to 60ft at its highest (Getty Images)Some write him as an innocent shipwrecked sailor who sought safety and shelter inside the cave.
But others paint him as a Robin Hood-esque figure, a more exciting socially-conscious smuggler - but it’s not apparent what evidence there is to back up this romantic tail.
Smugglers also called the cave home for a bit and used to haul French spirits and tobacco into the cave and stash them.
At low tide the caves and holes are revealed in the town's chalk cliffs (Getty Images)At other times, some reports claimed locals would find bodies washed up after violent storms.
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Of course there are regular stories of a ghostly presence spotted rolling a cask of cognac up the smooth white stones.
But another nearby cave might have also been home to smugglers as there are claims a tunnel runs all the way from it to a local church.
If any Brits are feeling adventurous enough to explore the cave, make sure to check the tide times before and let someone know where you are going.
It is worthwhile to take care on the uneven and slippery surfaces within.