Spurn National Nature Reserve

It is well worth the journey to this fascinating, curving spit of land, which stretches for three-and-a-half miles across the mouth of the mighty River Humber. Our National Nature Reserve at Spurn Point has good facilities with car parks, a visitor centre, tea room and numerous hides. It has wonderful views, sand dunes and bracing walks.

Formed 10,000 years ago after the retreat of the ice cap, the peninsula is made up of debris washed down, by the action of wind and water, from the soft clay cliffs to the north. It is constantly being eroded and re-formed. Its fragile nature means that, to a great extent, it is inhabited by wildlife that thrives on or exploits the changing conditions; marram grass, for example. There is much botanical interest. Sea buckthorn dominates; lyme-grass, marram, sea-holly and sea rocket are among the hundreds of species recorded. On the Humber mud, cord-grass is found.

As a place to observe and study birds and their migration, Spurn is incomparable. It is truly a birdwatcher's paradise. As well as migrants there are large numbers of wintering and passage waders and wildfowl and the ever-present likelihood of rarities.  Roe deer, hares and foxes roam the land, and seals and harbour porpoise are sometimes seen on the coastal stretches.  It is also important nationally for many species of insects.  Butterflies of note include brimstone, green-veined white, orange-tip, green-hairstreak, common blue, gatekeeper and wall and meadow brown all breeding residents.  In summer the warm air also brings out dragonflies and damselflies.

There is much more to Spurn; its geomorphological importance, for example, and a long and fascinating history rivalling that of any other site in England. The Trust works with nature to allow the peninsula to move naturally, and, so far as is possible, encourage its rebuilding on the estuary side. Practical conservation work includes the cutting back of invasive sea buckthorn and grazing with Hebridean sheep to prevent its regeneration and to encourage a diverse plant life.

Spurn was purchased by the Trust in 1960 and was designated a National Nature Reserve (NNR) in 1996, 17.5 hectares of farmland are outside the NNR. The Trust reserves of Welwick Saltmarsh and Hodgson's Fields are only a few miles from Spurn.

Please remember that no dogs are allowed on this reserve. This prevents disturbance to sensitive coastal and wading birds.

The Spurn Bird Observatory based on the reserve maintains a comprehensive detailed list of all bird species sighted, from common residents to rare passage migrants - for more information please see their website.

Spurn admission prices:

• Access to Spurn Point by vehicle is chargeable; pedestrian and cyclist access is free
• visitors wishing to access the Point by car pay a £3 charge
• YWT members wishing to access the Point by car can do so for free on production of a valid YWT membership card
• Coaches and mini-buses must pre-book, please contact YWT in advance
• Please note vehicle access is dependent on site conditions

Directions

Spurn is 25 miles south-east of Hull. If approaching from Hull take the A1033 Withernsea road and take a right fork in Patrington on to the B1445, to Easington. From here unclassified roads lead to Kilnsea and Spurn. The Trust owns the road that runs along the peninsula from the entrance gate.