HORNSEA

There is a long straight stretch of coast heading north-west from Withernsea, passing through several small communities, after which we come to the small seaside resort of Hornsea. Despite the town’s best efforts to keep the sea at bay, it suffers from severe coastal erosion, with one of the fastest eroding shorelines in Europe. The town used to be known for its pottery, but sadly the pottery works is now closed, but examples of Hornsea pottery can be seen in the Folk Museum.  Across the way from the museum is the Bettison Folly, dating from the 19th century and adorned with local “treacle bricks”. Another attraction in the town is the Designer Village of Hornsea Freeport. Just inland from the town itself is Hornsea Mere, the largest inland natural body of water in Yorkshire, with facilities for anglers and boating enthusiasts including a Sailing Club. The Meer is a Special Protection Area due to its shallow waters being an ideal environment for a variety of swamp and fen plants. The Meer also attracts many birds. A short distance to the north of Hornsea is Skipsea, where a grassy mound near the church is all that remains of a Norman castle which belonged to Drogo de Bevrere, who married a relative of William The Conqueror.

Hornsea is the eastern terminus of a long-distance trail for walkers, cyclists and horse riders called the Trans Pennine Trail.  The trail ends on the west coast at Southport.

Map of the area.

Hornsea beach - geograph.org.uk - 1059683. Photo by Peter Church, via Wikimedia Commons.