The Yorkshire shanty town few people know about with stunning beach and breathtaking views

"I don't think there's anywhere quite like it", expressed a fossil collector, standing amidst the shanty town of bohemian-style fisherman's huts.

Port Mulgrave, with its unique structures used for storing equipment, is arguably one of the most distinctive spots on the Yorkshire Coast and perhaps even in the whole of the UK. This former mining village, perched atop a cliff, resembles a typical community with rows of houses that once accommodated the miners of the ironstone exporting port.

However, if you're brave enough to venture down the cliff face, you'll discover a world unlike any other. The former port area along the coast has transformed into a startling collection of fisherman's huts, each used for storing equipment.

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These huts, numbering around 30, have been individually designed by their owners in a ramshackle fashion, incorporating rope, pebbles, shells, plywood, and remnants of boats. Each hut is distinct from the next, and their designs are truly remarkable.

Reaching this hidden gem is not for the faint-hearted. The steep 10-minute descent down the cliff face can be challenging even on a dry day, and one can only imagine the trepidation felt during slippery conditions.

Previously, a set of stairs facilitated access to the area, but these were destroyed in a landslip on the cliff face within the past year. Patrick Llamas, a regular visitor to the spot for fossil hunting, mentioned that he and his son were the last to use the former steps.

Mr Llama remarked: "It's normally really quiet and peaceful down here. No one wants to come down at the minute because of the accessibility. You always see the same people."

He further noted that the fisherman's huts serve as a storage hub for locals' gear, mentioning a former resident who lived in one but has since moved to Whitby. "He used to sell fossils that he found."

Describing the unique character of the area, he added, "He was quite bohemian, you could say. I think you have to be quirky if you want to live in a hut that you have to climb down an 800 foot cliff to get to."

Mr Llama also highlighted the privacy cherished by some regulars: "Some of the others might not want to chat because it's their little place. They might not want people knowing about it."

The landslips have damaged several fishing huts, prompting action from the community. A couple of lads, keen on fossil hunting, observed fishermen moving huts away from the precarious cliff edge.

These lads also noticed the innovative use of solar panels and a wind turbine on some huts for electricity. "They put a lot of work into them. They're not afraid to get dirty from what I've seen of them."

Additionally, they reported signs of social gatherings on the beach, marred by the unfortunate remnants of litter and fire pits left behind.

The two lads and Mr Llama both highlighted that while the fishing huts draw some attention, the area is actually more famous for its abundance of ammonites and other fossils.

Mr Llama remarked: "The thing with the shacks is a couple of them are just s**t tips so they're not big of an attraction. A couple of people might come down but it's not exactly a thriving place."

"The real attraction for me is the fossils."

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Climbing back up the cliff is even trickier than the descent, with the rope provided proving essential for pulling oneself back to the top. However, if you're not in good shape (not that I'm an athlete or anything), it might be wise to steer clear of this challenging spot.

A local resident from the village atop the cliff mentioned she only knew of one person in the vicinity who owned a hut, with most visitors coming from further afield.

She commented: "You always know who they are because you will see them carrying a door or planks of wood or something down the cliff."

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