Spurn National Nature Reserve
Location
Spurn Head, south of Kilnsea
HU12 0UH
Hull
East Riding of Yorkshire
OS Map Reference
TA 419 149
Know before you go
Size327 hectares
Grazing animals
Hebridean sheep and longhorn cattle
Walking trails
Footpaths are open all the time (unless bad weather closes the nature reserve).
Access
For safety reasons the nature reserve may on occasion be closed to the public in bad weather.
Dogs
No dogs permitted
When to visit
Opening times
The reserve is open at all times (unless bad weather poses a risk to visitors). Please see Spurn Discovery Centre for opening times of the centre.
Best time to visit
March to November
About the reserve
Spurn Point is Yorkshire's very own Lands End - an iconic and constantly moving peninsula which curves between the North Sea and the Humber Estuary. At over three miles long but as little as 50 metres wide, this landscape is unique and ever-changing.
Spurn has an extensive human history, leaving a legacy of fascinating but derelict buildings and hidden structures. But Spurn remains, and will always be, an utterly wild place. Always at the mercy of the elements, no two days at Spurn are ever the same.
Plan your visit
Nestled in among the ever-changing landscape, Spurn Discovery Centre is the perfect base to begin your adventure. With toilets, cafe, education hub, events and more, visit the Discovery Centre page to plan your visit.
Tide times
Jutting out into the mouth of the Humber, Spurn is very much exposed to the elements. Visitors should be aware that there is a 1km 'washover' section of sand which is sometimes covered by water at high tide, effectively cutting the end of the peninsula off from the mainland, creating Yorkshire's first 'island'!
Strong currents and soft sand underfoot mean that it can be very dangerous to cross the washover section at high tide (marked 'Danger' on the map below). Dates and times where tide heights are known to create dangerous conditions are listed under the ‘do not cross’ times below.
Visitors should be aware that weather conditions can also have an impact on tide height, and we strongly advise checking the weather forecast and tide times ahead of your visit as well as any flood alerts that may be in place.
If water is present on the washover area during high tide, no attempt should be made to cross until the water has receded.
n the scrub around the base of the lighthouse, and along into Chalk Bank, you may notice what look like tents stretched between branches, which are in fact the overwintering silk tents of the brown tail moth caterpillar. Whilst for many these caterpillars are harmless, they can cause itchy allergic skin reactions or respiratory issues for those with asthma or hay fever – so please don’t touch the caterpillars or the tents.
Spurn Point's history
Spurn Point's history spans from ancient times as a natural spit of sand and shingle, creating the medieval port of Ravenspurn, to a vital strategic military base (Napoleonic, WWI, WWII) with barracks, gun emplacements, and tunnels, featuring lighthouses and a lifeboat station. Its dynamic nature led to breaches, notably in 2013, making access difficult but preserving its unique ecosystem and historical ruins as a nature reserve.
Natural Formation & Early History
- Geological Origins:
Formed by longshore drift moving sediment from the eroded Holderness coast, creating a spit at the Humber Estuary's mouth.
- Ravenspurn:
A significant medieval port and landing site for royalty, including Henry of Bolingbroke (Henry IV) in 1399 and Edward IV in 1471.
Strategic Military Importance
Napoleonic Wars: Home to a battery and barracks established around 1805.
World Wars: Used for coastal defence, featuring artillery batteries, military railways (some parts still visible), barracks, tunnels, and gun emplacements.
Maritime & Lifeboat Services
Lighthouses:
A historic lighthouse built in 1895 guided ships until decommissioned in 1985; a second, lower lighthouse existed earlier.
Established in 1810 due to frequent shipwrecks, it was one of the UK's few full-time paid stations.
Modern Era
2013 Tidal Surge:
A massive surge breached the point, washing away the access road and turning Spurn into an island, making it accessible only by foot.
Nature Reserve:
Managed by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, it's now a vital haven for migratory birds and rare wildlife, with ruins of its past visible.
Key Features Today
Remains of military structures (tunnels, gun emplacements, railway).
Spurn Lighthouse (restored and open).
Fragile ecosystem and birdwatching.