Hull & East Yorkshire

To the south and east of York lie the East Riding of Yorkshire and its commercial focus, the city of Kingston upon Hull (commonly shortened to Hull). The East Riding is a rich agricultural district which is relatively flat in the Vale of York and along the north bank of the river Humber. At the coast, the scenery varies from the chalk cliffs at Flamborough Head in the north to low cliffs and then the long sand spit of Spurn Head at the mouth of the Humber in the south.

On the route as you leave York behind, the scenery changes back to farmland, but passing through some of York's dormitory commuter villages. The best known is Stamford Bridge, famous as the site of the battle that immediately preceded the Norman invasion at Hastings in 1066. The route arrives at the small town of Pocklington, and its nearby Buddhist Centre, before it reaches Market Weighton mid-way between York and Hull.

Taking the line of least resistance through the limestone slopes of the Yorkshire Wolds, the route heads for the administrative centre of Beverley via the charmingly named Cherry Burton. Beverley is the jewel in the crown of East Riding towns, with its famous 13th century Minster and its medieval Percy Tomb. It is still a bustling market town, with lots of small specialist shops, pubs and restaurant, and worth a pause or even an overnight stop (there is a youth hostel).

Just a short and flat ride away is Hull, now Beverley's very much bigger brother and a city in its own right. Although still a thirving port (though the activity has moved downstream away from the city centre docks), the fishing industry is now a mere shadow of its former self.

Hull is a busy industrial and commercial centre. Even so, the city still retains much of its former character, especially around the old docks. This combined with its large shopping area and its lively nightlife make Hull a rival to Beverley for your overnight stop in this area.

The route out to the south of Hull takes in some the city's wealthier suburbs and then emerges at the north end of the Humber Bridge. When it was completed in 1981, the Bridge was the world's longest single span suspension bridge, with a main span of 1410m. It is a toll bridge for motorists, but cyclists can cross free of charge. At its mid point you pass into Lincolnshire.

Sources: Memory