A constantly shifting peninsula, just 50 metres wide in places: Spurn Point shows how much the coast shapes the character of East Riding Of Yorkshire. The stretch of land, more than three miles long, between the North Sea and the Humber Estuary is continually changing. Its National Nature Reserve encompasses beaches, mudflats, salt marshes, dunes, grassland, open water and lagoons.
Coast, cliffs and birdlife
Bird migration is a defining feature of Spurn. The footpaths are generally open at all times unless bad weather closes the area. Alongside the visitor centre, there are birdwatching hides, toilets, refreshments and an electric-car charging point. Tides and weather affect access, so check conditions before your visit. The lighthouse also tells the story of the coast: built in 1895, it guided ships along the coast for more than 90 years before being decommissioned in 1985. Access to it is regulated separately.
Further north, around half a million seabirds gather to breed on the chalk cliffs above the North Sea at RSPB Bempton Cliffs between March and August. Numbers and timing can vary from year to year. The RSPB recommends travelling on foot or by bicycle; bike racks are available outside the visitor centre. At Flamborough Cliffs, you can look out for nesting puffins from mid-May to mid-July. The King Charles III England Coast Path also runs through the nature reserve there. The area is designated Heritage Coast, SAC, SSSI and SPA, and is home to one of Europe’s most significant seabird colonies. These periods offer two different ways to experience seabird life, without implying that the same sightings can be expected every year.
Away from the cliffs, the landscape offers different perspectives. Hornsea Mere, west of Hornsea, is the largest freshwater lake in Yorkshire. It is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Protection Area for birds. Birdwatching, rowing, sailing, boat trips and fishing are among the activities available there; what is possible may depend on the provider and the weather. The Yorkshire Wolds offer a different landscape: wide open spaces, views and diverse wildlife define the area. You can explore it on foot, by bicycle, by car or on horseback.
History in stone and architecture
The history of building is reflected in a great variety of forms. Attached to the still-active, cathedral-like Minster church in Howden are the elaborately decorated ruins of a 14th-century choir and chapter house. Bridlington Priory was founded in 1113 as a house of Augustinian canons. After the dissolution of the monasteries during the Reformation, most of the buildings were destroyed; only the nave survived. Today’s Beverley Minster was built between 1220 and 1425. Tours are offered there under the names “Exploring Beverley Minster” and “Roof Tours”; check availability before your trip.
The Rudston Monolith is the largest single standing stone in England. It is dated to the late Neolithic or early Bronze Age. Burton Agnes Manor House combines a rare, well-preserved Norman undercroft with a 15th-century roof and a medieval manor-house interior. Check access arrangements before your trip. Burton Agnes Hall, meanwhile, combines Elizabethan and Jacobean architecture and displays an art collection ranging from Old Masters to contemporary art. The gardens include thousands of plant species, a yew maze and large outdoor games; garden features such as these may vary seasonally.
Sledmere House offers another architectural point of comparison: Sir Robert Smirke designed the house with a symmetrical layout and imposing façade; inside, it features elegant furnishings and works of art. At the Rare Breed Farm Park near Sledmere House, the focus is on rare and endangered animal breeds and information about their care. For a different perspective on landscape and history, the three-kilometre Tree Trail circular route at Danes Dyke starts at the information board by the car park. An ancient bank-and-ditch system runs through the nature reserve and gave it its name. Danes Dyke was designated a Local Nature Reserve in 2002 for its value to wildlife and its importance to the local community.
Traditions and when to visit
The Flamborough Longsword Dancers bring together a centuries-old sword dance and a local tradition: the group performs in the village and on the headland every Boxing Day. The steps are thought to represent the mending of fishing nets, though this remains a possible explanation. Check performance details for the year you wish to visit. The Kiplingcotes Derby is also a recurring event with a long history. It is considered the oldest flat race in the United Kingdom, with records dating back to 1519. It traditionally takes place on the third Thursday in March; check event details for the relevant year.
The time of year can therefore influence which wildlife sightings or traditions take centre stage during your stay.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Kirkburn, Wansford, South Cave, North Ferriby, Melbourne, Howden, Hessle, Goole, Brough, Bridlington, Beverley, Arnold, Walkintgon, Blacktoft, Hedon, Coniston, Carnaby, Driffield, Cottingham, Aldbrough, Rowley, Nafferton, Brandesburton, Withernsea, Patrington, Pocklington, Rudston, Hull, Ulrome, Thwing, Skirpenbeck, Withernwick, Barmston, Flamborough, Hornsea, Preston, North Newbald, Market Weighton, Swanland, Eastrington, Hutton Cranswick, Bubwith, Paull, Rise, Stamford Bridge, Skipsea, Boynton, Barmby Moor, Tickton, Beeford, Wold Newton, Everingham.
To the overarching travel guide: Yorkshire And The Humber.
