Spurn Point
This is a unique coastal reserve with a long sandy spit stretching three and half miles into the Humber Estuary from the Holderness Coast. Habitats found here include chalk grassland, mature grey sand dunes with sandy beaches on the seaward side and mud flats on the estuary side. This is a mecca for birdwatchers, with many rarities being seen as well as many thousands of migrants and winter visitors.
‘Did you know?’ items:
- Swallows fly south down the peninsula in spring, Why?
- The difference from low water to high water can be as much as 7 meters
- It is from spurn point that Christianity was introduced to Holland
- Spurn NNR forms part of the Humber Estuary SAC , SPA and Ramsar site as well as being designated an SSSI it is also part of the Spurn Heritage Coast.
Why should I visit?
Having grown up with spurn since my first independent visit in 1974, I have seen many changes occur at this dynamic site and also the way in which I view it. My initial reason for visiting the reserve was to bird watch, particularly due to its reputation for attracting rare species. I then developed an affinity with the site and recognized the history steeped in the shifting dune, the force of the sea, and the process of long shore drift. I am now in the privileged position of being able to manage the site, to allow nature to take back the process of moving west into the mouth of the Humber.
The site has a wilderness feel that pushes your comfort zone, whether it is the elements of the weather, sea or sky. The infra structure is very low key and it is possible to wander freely over the site with that constant feeling of discovery and for most of the reserve the only restrictions to access are the dense vegetation and your imagination to explore the reserve. This reserve still remains, in my opinion the best place in Britain to see visible migration of birds travelling south down the peninsula even in spring.
What’s there? – facilities:
Several interpretation boards are located around the reserve. There are toilets found within the public car park at the Blue Bell. Compact information displays can be found within the Blue Bell café and at the Warren. A seasonal café operates at the point near to the RNLI houses.
How to get there:
The reserve is located at the extreme south eastern tip of the Yorkshire Coast. From Hull take the A1033 east towards Withernsea. At Patrington take the B1445 towards Easington village. At Easington brown Tourist signs direct toward you towards Spurn Point.
- Parking is available in the public car park at the Blue Bell or by traveling down the peninsula to the Point, for which there is a charge of £3.00 per car (as of 2008).
Access and conditions:
Access to wheel chairs is severely limited because of the sandy nature of the site. Bird hides are located at the Chalk Bank and there is a sea hide at the Warren. There are a number of way marked footpaths, there is however a risk at hide tides that the mid section of the reserve will become washed over causing the point to become inaccessible. Please check with reserves officers on site and do not ignore the barrier if it is closed. There is a charge for cars traveling down the peninsular to the point. Car Parking is free at the Blue Bell.
For Children:
- Spurn’s beaches are fantastic to seek out fossils and interesting rocks and pebbles from the eroding coast to the north.
- Fact packs are available on site.
- Access to the beaches is very easy and as beaches are on two sites of a curving spit is. It is always possible to obtain some shelter from the breeze by sitting in the lea of the dunes
A Member says....
The feeling of wilderness and the big horizons found here are like no other, there are always things to see, it is a place of constant change.
The full circuit is approximately 7 miles (12km) in distance and takes about four hours to walk around including taking the time to bird watch. Shorter walks can be made from either the Blue Bell Car Park or from the Point.
