North Ferriby offers several points of interest for a stay: Bronze Age boats, historic buildings and paths with views of the Humber Estuary. When planning, it is worth noting the differences locally: the town’s history ranges from a medieval priory to a 20th-century war memorial, while the riverside paths include both a short loop and a longer one-way route.
Ferriby Boats and Local History
The Ferriby Boats are Bronze Age plank-built boats discovered in North Ferriby. They are considered Europe’s oldest watercraft. The discoveries were made in 1937, 1940 and 1963. Together, these dates provide a clear timeline for the boats’ history; however, the discovery years themselves are widely spaced.
All Saints also offers a tangible insight into the area’s architectural history. The present church building was designed by John Loughborough Pearson, R.A., and completed in 1848 after three years of construction. A Grade II listed building, the church has a three-storey west tower with a broach spire. Ferriby House adds to this view of historic architecture: the house dates from approximately 1760 to 1770 and is Grade II* listed.
An earlier chapter in local history begins with Ferriby Priory. The priory of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre was founded around 1150. The North Ferriby War Memorial takes the story into the history of the world wars: the Grade II listed war memorial dates from 1920, with additions for the Second World War made later. It commemorates 24 local servicemen who died in the First World War, as well as twelve who fell in the Second World War. It is designed as a Portland stone cross with an inverted sword carved in relief.
Riverside Walks on the Humber Estuary
The Humber Foreshore Walks offer wide views of the Humber Estuary and opportunities to watch passing boats and wildlife. You can choose between a half-mile circular route and a two-and-a-half-mile one-way route to the Humber Bridge. Both start at the Riverside Walkway car park in North Ferriby. This lets you choose between a shorter loop and a longer route to a destination; the two-and-a-half miles is a one-way distance, not a circular route.
Riverside Walkway is also a public recreational facility that visitors can enjoy. Another route description gives a route from Barton-upon-Humber to North Ferriby: 76 percent of this route is traffic-free, and it can be started at North Ferriby railway station. Wading birds such as oystercatchers and, in winter, curlews can be spotted on the riverside route towards North Ferriby. These winter sightings are a seasonal addition to the other nature and riverside highlights.
Getting There and Planning
North Ferriby can be reached via the A63 from the west or east; from the north, the route is via Swanland. Traffic conditions may affect the specific journey. Once there, you can choose different focuses: explore the historic architecture and commemorative sites, or combine the riverside landscape with one of the designated routes. The distances help distinguish a loop from a one-way route, without specifying a walking time.
Discover more destinations: Nafferton, Bridlington, Skipsea, Boynton, Wansford, Barmston, Patrington, Brandesburton
For the broader travel overview: East Riding Of Yorkshire.
