The sand and shingle beach of Spurn Head in Yorkshire is like no other in Britain. Spurn Head is a narrow, though seemingly endless, beach that is nestled in the mouth of the Humber Estuary. Indeed, this curving beach is only 50 metres wide at some points!
The beach is the product of over 10000 years’ worth of erosion and sea drift and is utterly unique.
The sandy shoreline is ideal for building sandcastles as well as general mucking about. However, certain beach activities, such as kite-surfing, are not allowed as they could disturb the local wildlife.
The sea is fab for a wade, but it is not recommended for swimming due to the strong currents.
If you’d like to stretch your legs, you can follow the long stretch of beach for an invigorating walk. The bracing sea air and spectacular views make for an unforgettable day out.
Though, you should check tide times before gallivanting about Spurn Head as your could get cut off from the mainland and thin stretches of the beach can be entirely engulfed by the sea.
A number of trails are dotted about the peninsula so you can journey across a variety of terrains. These can vary from algae-slick rocks, grassy dunes, mudflats to soft sandy shores.
To learn more about Spurn Head’s extensive natural and human history, hop on the Spurn Safari tour, which is a hit with kids.
Venture slightly from the beach and you’ll find the looming Spurn Lighthouse. It is over a century old and is the last lighthouse still standing here. Lighthouses have guarded over Spurn Head since 1427, though the previous 8 lighthouses succumbed to the merciless elements and are nothing more than derelict structures nowadays. Brave the climb up and you’ll be rewarded with magnificent views for miles on end.
Spurn Head is not only a beach but also a nature reserve, teeming with thousands of birds and insects, who migrate here throughout the year. Hole up with some binoculars in one of the many hides and watch as birds flit about. On the ground below, there are a great many fossils hiding away that are just waiting to be found too!
No two days are the same at Spurn Head, with ever-changing weather and wildlife. This wild and rugged landscape is just begging for you to snap some pictures and go exploring, so what are you waiting for!
If a paddle and a frolic in some sand is what you’re after, we recommend a stop by Tunstall Beach. It is about an hours drive from Spurn Head but is a pleasantly quiet spot with great expanses of sandy shoreline.
Dogs are not permitted at the beach, though are allowed by the Discovery Centre and certain parts of the peninsula. This is because Spurn Head Beach is an Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSS!) and a nature reserve.
There is:
- A Discovery Centre (open daily from 9am -5pm) which is fully accessible to pushchair and wheelchair
users
- A café with outdoor and indoor seating (open daily from 10am-4pm)
- Toilets (with disabled access and baby changing facilities)
- A giftshop, which sells handy tools such as binoculars
- The Spurn Lighthouse (entry up the tower from £2 to £4)
- A bike hire service to explore the peninsula
There is a car park with 77 spaces, including 4 disabled bays. Parking is free for Wildlife Trust members and costs £5 for all day parking for non-members.
You must use the parking provided as cars are not allowed past a certain point to protect the wildlife here. Though entry to the reserve itself if free.
To get the most out of your trip, you should aim to visit Spurn Head between the months of March and November.
Spurn Head Beach stretches on for over 3.5 miles.
It is open all day, every day. However, it may occasionally be shut by the Wildlife Trust in cases of bad weather.
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