Our coastal wanderings....
North Devon, Lincolnshire, South Wales & NE Coast [blog in progress!...]
28/08 - 11/09
North Devon, Lincolnshire, South Wales & NE Coast [blog in progress!...]
28/08 - 11/09
Hull to Bridlington
1.
After a remarkably good drive up the A1, we stop not far over the Humber Bridge at a 5 van site (for four nights) then immediately head off to visit Hedon, an old market town which was once an important port, long since silted up. Founded in the 12th century, most of its medieval buildings were destroyed by the fire of 1656. Luckily, the church survived though and, after retrieving the key from the carpet shop (really!), we duly investigate. It's known as the King of Holderness.
After coffee in the local pub (with everyone else sinking pints) we head off to Paull to see an ancient disused lighthouse on the estuary bank.
Historic Lighthouse ... and even older motorhome
On the way, we pass the mighty BP chemical plant.
That's enough for today.
2.
We walk halfway across the magnificent Humber Bridge and marvel at the engineering.
We were here!
The load in each of the supports is eye watering.
Time to head into the City of Hull or, more correctly, Kingston upon Hull....
...and a really nice city it is, too. The investment during the City of Culture year has certainly been well used. The old town is well preserved and the new, sympathetically designed, museums of the museum quarter are excellent.
It's an important industrial city and modern port and old, new and industrial elements all work together. It seems the city council certainly know what they are doing.
We visit the essential sights which include, of course, the William Wilberforce museum and house. We also inspect his christening log in Hull Minster - which has the oldest bricks in England apparently...
Hull Minster
The man himself
We eat at McCoy's, a bistro style restaurant on Princes Quay...
Architecture, museums, restaurants, culture... It's all here. Time to head back to base.
3.
Some interesting sights but today is mostly about Spurn Head, that sandy spit of land, battered by the sea, that struggles to survive.
We head to Stone Creek first though, a small hamlet on the north of the Humber estuary; isolated and serene, it's also interesting to see the network of drains that keep the flat lands flood-free.
We continue to Patrington, notable for having a large, cathedral style church, the Queen of Holderness, which is the sister church to the similar King of Holderness, visited earlier.
That's impressive for a village...
It's time for the big one (OK, biggish one)... so we head to Kilnsea, pay £5 to park in the visitor centre, have a small (but good!) lunch and then set out to walk 3 miles to the lighthouse on Spurn Head. Brilliant! More info on Spurn Head Here
view from the top.... we have to walk back there..
Of course, we climb the lighthouse when we get there and are glad that we did. £3 each for us oldies.
It's interesting to see the remains of various constructions that the Head has supported... it reminds us that everything is temporary... or ephemeral.. or in a constant mess...
rails to nowhere... the sea's winning.
On the way back to base we find time to see the town centre lighthouse in Withernsea and see the cobbled cottages of Easington.
just when you least expect it... Here comes a bus!
Back to base: feet up, coffee and TV.
4.
It's not exactly on the coast but we can't miss the historic town of Beverley. With it's two notable churches, especially the renowned Beverley Minster. We aren't disappointed; the town is thriving with many major clothing chains as well as independent traders, all in a wonderful setting.
Beverley Minster..
The interior walls have many musicians ... These are important evidence in establishing the musical instruments used used at that time. Note the Bagpipes!
At the other end of town, St. Mary's surprises..
The rabbit sculpture on the right of the vestry entrance is said to be the inspiration for Peter Rabbit by Lewis Caroll.
We complete the day with a final visit to Hull to take a dip into the start of their Freedom Festival. What a great idea; we are moved by a photographic exhibition of modern slavery. William Wilberforce would weep.
The Bird of Freedom... representing an eternal dream of equality. Stirring Stuff.
Moon in Hull Minster... together with wierd musical sounds.. would have preferred Dark Side of the Moon (Pink Floyd if you have to ask..)
Events continue for the next two days (and nights)... unfortunately we'll have moved on by then....
But we did find time to see the high tech tidal barrier..
5,6
We travel to Bridlington in the 'van to continue exploration.
Nice site, Bridlington Caravan & Motorhome Club Site... usual good organisation but it's mostly new. Pity about the bloody wind.
We head out the following day to see the coast south of Bridlington that we didn't cover from Hull. That's Albrough, Mappleton, Hornsea and Skipsea. Of particular note is the severe coastal erosion at Aldbrough and Skipsea where the collapsing cliffs have left roads abruptly disappearing at cliff's edge.
The Aldbrough coast road stops here...
.. and so it does at Skipsea, too.
Hornsea has its own lake (the privately owned Meer) which is 2 miles long and 1 mile wide. We take a motor boat trip around it after a mug of Yorkshire Tea at the cafe. The seafront itself is Sunday-busy but it's a good feeling here.
7.
Bridlington itself is interesting... Although the central seafront has a largish funfair and holiday seaside feel, the suburbs have some really nice housing and it's possible to easily walk northwards to Flamborough Head.
The harbour has a working fishing pier, together with pleasure boats.
The low cliffs towards Flamborough Head attract adventurous types..
The 12th Century priority of St Mary in the Old Town provides a different experience.
There's a very moving representation of 'the fallen' as cardboard figures inside....
8.
A damp blustery start to the day but we (eventually) head out to see the sights around Flamborough Head, visiting South Landing, North Landing, Bempton Cliffs and Thornwick Bay.
We descend from the white chalky cliffs to the small bays at every opportunity, taking lunch at Flamborough Head itself. There are two lighthouses here, one working and one, Old Tower, dating from 1674.
On the way back to the 'van we call in to walk around part of Danes Dyke, created in the Iron or Bronze age (the sages seen unsure - but bronze age artefacts have been found there). The construction, it is said, was intended to isolate the headland; can't quite work that one out, though.
Ready for a cup of Yorkshire Tea - but all we have is Assam.
9.
Sewerby Hall has been restored by Yorkshire Council to its former glory as the home of LLoyd Greames and family with the help of substantial lottery funding. It's really worth the visit, with admirable attention the detail and an enthusiastic staff.
The pigeon in the house gardens clearly has ambitions above its stature..
After a lengthy visit we continue on to Filey, a pleasant town with the adjoining promontory of Filey Brigg.
The flag on this building in Filey is torn straight down the middle....
10.
After calling in the see the attractive Cayton Bay, we spend the day in Scarborough. Neither of us have been here before (as far as we can remember anyway..) and we didn't quite know what to expect; we think it's a really nice place.... apart from a difficult to fathom parking disk system; once fathomed it's extremely logical but it seems to be designed to wind up visitors. It's explained to us by a sympathetic resident who keeps loads of spare (free) discs in her car to give to frustrated tourists like us.
We visit the Castle to start with then follow with the Harbour, Heritage Centre, St Mary's Church - including the grave of Anne Bronte. We lunch here and sample the shops... it's an easy place in which to spend the day.
The Castle Keep ... damaged by the Roundheads
This might be the harbour..
Can't explain why just being here is so awe inspiring.. but it is
Oliver's Mount, above the town: the end of a great day
11.
We don't do that much today because it's supposed to rain most of the day.. but it didn't really..
We drive to Crook Ness and walk down to the beach and a little way along the Cleveland Way. Good fun but damp.
We head for Hayburn Wyke in the damp and we discover the welcoming Hayburn Wyke Inn - with a roaring open-log fire, some wonderful ales and home-cooked food No contest... Lunch Stop!
After that lunch I wimp out of a potentially wet walk and we head back, calling in at the Scarborough Fair collection of well preserved steam fair equipment and old cars, bikes and tractors. They have Tea Dances here accompanied by a mighty Wurlitzer. Crazy.
Home and Curl up.
12.
Last day, rain on the way, let's go out and play..
Hot Rods on the sand at Bridlington.
Home tomorrow, last day, last caravan trip of 2018...
Exceptions apply..
2.
We walk halfway across the magnificent Humber Bridge and marvel at the engineering.
Time to head into the City of Hull or, more correctly, Kingston upon Hull....
...and a really nice city it is, too. The investment during the City of Culture year has certainly been well used. The old town is well preserved and the new, sympathetically designed, museums of the museum quarter are excellent.
It's an important industrial city and modern port and old, new and industrial elements all work together. It seems the city council certainly know what they are doing.
We visit the essential sights which include, of course, the William Wilberforce museum and house. We also inspect his christening log in Hull Minster - which has the oldest bricks in England apparently...
We eat at McCoy's, a bistro style restaurant on Princes Quay...
Architecture, museums, restaurants, culture... It's all here. Time to head back to base.
3.
Some interesting sights but today is mostly about Spurn Head, that sandy spit of land, battered by the sea, that struggles to survive.
We head to Stone Creek first though, a small hamlet on the north of the Humber estuary; isolated and serene, it's also interesting to see the network of drains that keep the flat lands flood-free.
We continue to Patrington, notable for having a large, cathedral style church, the Queen of Holderness, which is the sister church to the similar King of Holderness, visited earlier.
It's time for the big one (OK, biggish one)... so we head to Kilnsea, pay £5 to park in the visitor centre, have a small (but good!) lunch and then set out to walk 3 miles to the lighthouse on Spurn Head. Brilliant! More info on Spurn Head Here
view from the top.... we have to walk back there..
Of course, we climb the lighthouse when we get there and are glad that we did. £3 each for us oldies.
It's interesting to see the remains of various constructions that the Head has supported... it reminds us that everything is temporary... or ephemeral.. or in a constant mess...
On the way back to base we find time to see the town centre lighthouse in Withernsea and see the cobbled cottages of Easington.
Back to base: feet up, coffee and TV.
4.
It's not exactly on the coast but we can't miss the historic town of Beverley. With it's two notable churches, especially the renowned Beverley Minster. We aren't disappointed; the town is thriving with many major clothing chains as well as independent traders, all in a wonderful setting.
Beverley Minster..
At the other end of town, St. Mary's surprises..
The rabbit sculpture on the right of the vestry entrance is said to be the inspiration for Peter Rabbit by Lewis Caroll.
We complete the day with a final visit to Hull to take a dip into the start of their Freedom Festival. What a great idea; we are moved by a photographic exhibition of modern slavery. William Wilberforce would weep.
The Bird of Freedom... representing an eternal dream of equality. Stirring Stuff.
Moon in Hull Minster... together with wierd musical sounds.. would have preferred Dark Side of the Moon (Pink Floyd if you have to ask..)
Events continue for the next two days (and nights)... unfortunately we'll have moved on by then....
But we did find time to see the high tech tidal barrier..
5,6
We travel to Bridlington in the 'van to continue exploration.
Nice site, Bridlington Caravan & Motorhome Club Site... usual good organisation but it's mostly new. Pity about the bloody wind.
We head out the following day to see the coast south of Bridlington that we didn't cover from Hull. That's Albrough, Mappleton, Hornsea and Skipsea. Of particular note is the severe coastal erosion at Aldbrough and Skipsea where the collapsing cliffs have left roads abruptly disappearing at cliff's edge.
The Aldbrough coast road stops here...
.. and so it does at Skipsea, too.
Hornsea has its own lake (the privately owned Meer) which is 2 miles long and 1 mile wide. We take a motor boat trip around it after a mug of Yorkshire Tea at the cafe. The seafront itself is Sunday-busy but it's a good feeling here.
7.
Bridlington itself is interesting... Although the central seafront has a largish funfair and holiday seaside feel, the suburbs have some really nice housing and it's possible to easily walk northwards to Flamborough Head.
The harbour has a working fishing pier, together with pleasure boats.
The low cliffs towards Flamborough Head attract adventurous types..
The 12th Century priority of St Mary in the Old Town provides a different experience.
There's a very moving representation of 'the fallen' as cardboard figures inside....
8.
A damp blustery start to the day but we (eventually) head out to see the sights around Flamborough Head, visiting South Landing, North Landing, Bempton Cliffs and Thornwick Bay.
We descend from the white chalky cliffs to the small bays at every opportunity, taking lunch at Flamborough Head itself. There are two lighthouses here, one working and one, Old Tower, dating from 1674.
Chalk Cliffs at the Head
Old Tower lighthouse from 1674
Caves at South Landing
Nesting seabirds at the RSPB site, Bempton Cliffs.
On the way back to the 'van we call in to walk around part of Danes Dyke, created in the Iron or Bronze age (the sages seen unsure - but bronze age artefacts have been found there). The construction, it is said, was intended to isolate the headland; can't quite work that one out, though.
Ready for a cup of Yorkshire Tea - but all we have is Assam.
9.
Sewerby Hall has been restored by Yorkshire Council to its former glory as the home of LLoyd Greames and family with the help of substantial lottery funding. It's really worth the visit, with admirable attention the detail and an enthusiastic staff.
The pigeon in the house gardens clearly has ambitions above its stature..
After a lengthy visit we continue on to Filey, a pleasant town with the adjoining promontory of Filey Brigg.
The flag on this building in Filey is torn straight down the middle....
10.
After calling in the see the attractive Cayton Bay, we spend the day in Scarborough. Neither of us have been here before (as far as we can remember anyway..) and we didn't quite know what to expect; we think it's a really nice place.... apart from a difficult to fathom parking disk system; once fathomed it's extremely logical but it seems to be designed to wind up visitors. It's explained to us by a sympathetic resident who keeps loads of spare (free) discs in her car to give to frustrated tourists like us.
We visit the Castle to start with then follow with the Harbour, Heritage Centre, St Mary's Church - including the grave of Anne Bronte. We lunch here and sample the shops... it's an easy place in which to spend the day.
11.
We don't do that much today because it's supposed to rain most of the day.. but it didn't really..
We drive to Crook Ness and walk down to the beach and a little way along the Cleveland Way. Good fun but damp.
We head for Hayburn Wyke in the damp and we discover the welcoming Hayburn Wyke Inn - with a roaring open-log fire, some wonderful ales and home-cooked food No contest... Lunch Stop!
After that lunch I wimp out of a potentially wet walk and we head back, calling in at the Scarborough Fair collection of well preserved steam fair equipment and old cars, bikes and tractors. They have Tea Dances here accompanied by a mighty Wurlitzer. Crazy.
Home and Curl up.
12.
Last day, rain on the way, let's go out and play..
Hot Rods on the sand at Bridlington.
Home tomorrow, last day, last caravan trip of 2018...
Exceptions apply..
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