One of the best things about living in Hull is that we’re surrounded by beautiful, picturesque countryside. With summer here and the holidays ahead, now’s the perfect time to escape and get some fresh air while exploring some incredible scenery. These walks in East Yorkshire are some of the best we’ve found…
‘Little Switzerland’ Humber Bridge Country Park
Ferriby Road, Hessle
Humber Bridge Country Park or, as we know it, Little Switzerland, has lots of beautiful natural parts and bird watching areas to stop and look at. Or, you can follow the various trails and have a fantastic natural woodland walk. There’s lots of carvings on the route and information on the local wildlife to make for an interesting read. You can also stop and eat as there are plenty of places to stop and have a picnic! It’s just next to the Humber Bridge, which you should be able to see whilst walking, and it has very easy access to the car park.
East Park
Holderness Road, Hull
East Park is Hull’s largest park and full of things to do. However, if you’re just looking for a walk, they have 130 acres of parkland that you are free to have a stroll in. Plus, there is also the Star Gardens which have the most spectacular floral displays, and the Sensory Garden Broadwalk with sculptures that make the flowers move. It’s definitely a picturesque park that is full of lots of lovely walks for you.
Welton Dales
Starts just past St Helen’s Church, Cowgate, Welton
The Welton Dale walk is a circular walk around the village, showing all of the beautiful sites it has to offer. Starting in the pretty Welton village, the walk goes through areas of picturesque woodlands and a variety of flora and fauna. You come out of the woodland and come out at the countryside at Wauldby Dam and Turtle Hill, which has lots of natural attractions to see.
Pocklington Canal
Church Road, Melbourne, York – Canal Head, Pocklington, York
This idyllic walk around the canal is known to be a peaceful look at pretty scenery. Especially on a sunny day, the canal and surrounding areas is full of lots of wildlife and animals that you will be able to point out on your walk. There’s a reason it’s protected as Sites of Specific Scientific Interest! It takes you from East Cottingwith to Canal Head, which is a good 9.5 miles walk, but you can choose to go as far as you want.
Beverley Westwoods
Walkington Rd, Beverley
The Westwoods in Beverley are a great place to go for a walk, with lots of beautiful green hills and even a little bit of woodland. It also has a beautiful bit of architecture with the Black Mill, a local landmark. Plus, you always get a little bit of company with the cows that graze freely on the pastures. There are the East and West pastures, but they are all right next to the Beverley Race Course.
Castle Howard
York
As well as being an incredible historic house, Castle Howard also has some of the most beautiful landscapes for you to explore. They have over 1000 acres of parkland with walks that lead you through the woodland, the temples, lakes and fountains that is full of breathtaking views. Castle Howard is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, so it’s definitely somewhere you should look at, and it’s only an hour drive to York to get there.
Danes Dyke Beach
Flamborough – Bridlington
This circular walk in the southern side of the Flamborough headland allows you to admire the unspoilt white sandy beach on the East Yorkshire coast. This beautiful walk also allows you to let your dog have a good run about. You are able to see Bridlington Bay in the distance and the walk will have a little climb through trees before you stay on flat and easy to follow paths.
Flamborough Cliffs
North Marine Road, Flamborough
If you’re looking for a view above the beach, then this is for you. The walk along the Flamborough Cliffs has a stunning view of the sea as you walk along the chalk grassland. It is also a great place for bird-watching, as it is one of the most important seabird colonies in Europe. In the summer, the cliffs are full of auks, gannets, gulls and puffins that will make this a memorable experience.
If You’re Looking For More…
For the avid walkers who would love a chance to hike through some of East Yorkshire’s prettiest trails in a lengthy walk, you should have a go at Yorkshire Wolds Way which takes you all the way from Hessle to Filey, or the Beverley Twenty, which goes from the Humber Bridge car park to the Beverley Minster.