The best road cycling routes around Withernsea

You can't go much further south on the Holderness peninsula than Easington (if you do, you'll get wet). The church dates to the Norman period, with a 12th-century north aisle and 13th-century south aisle. There are a 14th-century clerestory and west tower, and a 15th-century chancel. Set into the wall of the north aisle is a lovely Early English doorway that may have been brought here from Birstall (Burstall) Priory, perhaps when that monastery sank into the Humber River due to erosion. Some of the north nave windows are made using Saxon grave slabs and evidence of the Saxon carvings can easily be seen.

Kilnsea Wetlands is intended to provide refuge for passage and wintering roosting waders that leave the adjacent Humber mudflats at high tide to roost. Plenty of birdwatchers around, although some of the pools were dry when I visited in November.

The new Withernsea pier: technological feat and popular success Despite some damage during its construction, the 1,196-feet-long pier was completed by August 1877. Built entirely out of iron, except for the brick entrance and wooden decking, the pier used the new technology of screw piles, which were driven deep into the ground. Seating was provided along the full length of the pier and a saloon and hall for entertainment was situated at the pier head. The entrance to the pier consisted of two castellated towers, rumoured to be based on Conwy Castle in Wales. Storm damage and tragic loss of life On 28 October 1880, a devastating storm erupted which caused damage to many of Yorkshire’s piers. Withernsea Pier suffered twice when it was hit by two storm-damaged vessels. T The second vessel to hit the pier was the brig Saffron, which tore a 200-foot hole through its centre before coming to rest nearby. The Saffron had been part of a flotilla of ships which had set out from the Humber, journeying northwards. Around Flamborough Head, the wind increased rapidly to a storm force gale. The fleet was at the mercy of the elements. The pier had only just been repaired when it was damaged again on 28 March 1882, the pier head being destroyed along with the saloon above it. The pier was not repaired, but the remaining sections continued in use. The series of disasters was relentless, and on 20 October 1890, the Grimsby fishing smack Genesta hit the pier, destroying over half its length and leaving just over 300 feet remaining. Two years later even this was destroyed, when another vessel, the Henry Parr (formerly the Dido) rammed into it at the height of another storm. The remains of Withernsea pier: a landmark and memorial The history of the pier at Withernsea is both tragic and yet in some ways inspiring. The two entrance towers have survived all the devastation around them. They are a well-loved landmark in the town, even if many visitors are totally unaware that they once formed a part of a pier. They also act as a memorial to those sailors who perished in the seas around it.

Information board and photographs depicting some of Withernsea‘s Past

From here you can enjoy a beautiful view of the calm waters. Not far away is the beach of the same name which has been a hotspot for unexploded RAF bombs, which fell from the rapidly eroding cliffs.

Hornsea Mere is Yorkshire's largest freshwater lake. It was used as a base for the Royal Naval Air Service and then, latterly, for the Royal Air Force during the First World War.

A sculpture of four of the plotters, including Guy Fawkes, erected to mark the defeat of the Gunpowder Plot in 1605, commemorating East Yorkshire's links to the Gunpowder Plot. Two of the conspirators, brothers John (Jack) and Christopher (Kit) Wright, were born in the village.

Although the Meridian crosses several roads on its short journey across East Yorkshire, only two B-roads are known to be marked. The plaque dates from 2000.