The Humber Bridge took nine years to build and was officially opened in 1981, uniting the historic counties of Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. With nature reserves on both sides of the Humber, it is possible to enjoy both wildlife and panoramic views.
START
From the Waters’ Edge car park, cross the Haven footbridge to the western side of the nature reserve, which offers excellent views of the Humber Bridge, salt marsh and mudflats. Walk past the children’s play area to the Viewing Area Pond, home to mallards and water voles, and turn left along the wide, grassy track which runs
adjacent to a dyke and past several houses to Far Ings Road. Turn right, walk under the bridge, and immediately left to gain the steps to the walkway. You can now enjoy a relaxing stroll across the bridge, taking in views of the Humber.
1 TWO MILES
As you approach the toll booths, turn left down stone steps. Turn right at the road and after 50m cross and walk left, following the Humber Foreshore sign. At the Y-junction, take the steps leading to the foreshore and Black Mill. Sit on the millstones and enjoy a stunning view of the bridge and watch seagulls as they enjoy a free ride on the current as far as Spurn Head!
Three colour waymarked trails start at the mill and lead through Humber Bridge Country Park Local Nature Reserve, which up until 1960 was worked as a chalk quarry. At 1¾ miles, the Cliff Trail (red) is the longer walk, and explores tree-covered chalk cliff terraces, once said to resemble miniature snow-covered Alps, and which gives the area its local name of Little Switzerland. The path climbs along an old quarry terrace where you can take a detour up the 103 steps to the High View Point for a splendid view across the Humber to the Lincolnshire Wolds. The trail passes through woods of ash, some clinging to the chalk cliff ledges with their creeping roots.
Once past the cliff edges, the trail veers right, following a short circular course around two ponds. After this, head up the steep steps and turn right, following the path as it swings left across a grassed picnic area and into a car park where you will find toilets and the tourist information centre (TIC).
2 FOUR MILES
Walk past the TIC to the road and follow this right, as it leads you back to the steps up to the bridge walkway. If the tide is out, you will gain views of the mudflats, the feeding grounds for a myriad of wading birds. Now simply retrace your steps back along Far Ings Road to the Waters’ Edge Country Park, where a network of paths and raised walkways connects the extensive ponds, meadows, woodlands and reedbeds, and is an ideal location to discover the area’s wildlife, with mammals on the site including weasels, stoats, foxes and rabbits.
Useful Information
Grassy track and surfaced footpaths.
By car: Barton-upon-Humber is adjacent to the A15, north of Brigg. The Water’s Edge Country Park is at the end of Maltkiln Road.By public transport:Regular Stagecoach buses operate from Grimsby, Scunthorpe and Brigg. Local transport times are available at: www.northlincs.gov.uk/publictransportBarton is the northern terminus of a branch railway line from Cleethorpes, with Mon-Sat services provided by Northern Rail.
The Honeypot Café,Waters’ Edge Country Park and Visitor Centre
Barton-upon-Humber DN18 5JR
01652 631500
Ordnance Survey Explorer Map 281.
Grid Ref: TA 031233
Tower Street, Hull HU1 4DP
01482 381000
Humber Bridge Tourist Information Centre
North Bank Viewing Area, Ferriby Road, Hessle, Hull HU13 OLN
01482 640852