Caravanning at Kilnsea

Ever since I learned to drive, over 30 years ago, I have visited Kilnsea and Spurn Point at the mouth of the River Humber. This is a wild and windswept part of the North Sea coastline prone to coastal erosion and flooding.

Spurn Point and the peninsula is a three-mile spit of sand extending out into the Humber estuary formed by the sea depositing sand eroded from the clay cliffs to the north. The peninsula is constantly moving, but sea defences built around the first World War have prevented the natural movement of sand from taking place. These defences have now been abandoned and the sea is once again starting to take control.

A panoramic view of the breach on Spurn Peninsular.

In December 2013, a tidal surge caused a three-quarter mile breach to form in the peninsula when the tide washed over the dunes and deposited sand in the salt marshes of the river estuary. The flooding spread inland affecting the village of Kilnsea, which was evacuated until the storm subsided.

One of the most seriously affected areas was the Sandy Beaches Caravan Park. This small park is situated on the clay cliffs along the coastline and is subject to constant erosion. Several metres of land is lost to the sea every year, and the rows of caravans have to be continually moved back from the edge.

Rear of Sandy Beaches Caravan Park.

On the night of the tidal surge, the part of the caravan park nearest to the sea was overwhelmed as rocks and debris was washed up by the tides. Many caravans were written off as a result, and the park was in a sorry state.

Since then, the maintenance team at the park have done a great job, and the park is fully open for business.

Sandy Beaches (Photo credit: Alan Rowley Photos)

About 25 years ago, we stayed in a caravan at Sandy Beaches. The kids were toddlers and we were fit enough to walk miles each day along the Spurn road and down to the local pub, the Crown and Anchor. Since then, the kids have families of their own, and age is catching up with Sandra and I, so we thought the time was right for us to book another short break at Sandy Beaches, which we have in August.

In the last week or so, I have visited Kilnsea twice. On the first occasion, there was a sea fret and the temperature was 10°C cooler than it was five miles inland. However, as it was 28°C in nearby Hull, the 18°C temperatures at the coast was very pleasant. The stiff breeze blew up a spray which was a welcome relief from the hot weather we had endured throughout July.

Enjoying a drink outside the Crown and Anchor.

The second time we visited, the sea fret was gone and it was a glorious day. We booked and paid for the caravan and went to the Crown and Anchor for lunch. The pub is situated right on the edge of the Humber and offers great views across the estuary to Grimsby and Cleethorpes. The window seats in the pub are excellent for watching the tides and the traffic on the river. Watching the evening ferry making its way down the Humber, and around Spurn Point, has always been one of my favourite pastimes.

So, with our holiday not too far away, it’s time to think about what we need to take with us and prepare a box of groceries for our first caravan holiday in over 20 years. I wonder what we will make of the experience.

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