The car park stands on the site of houses built as military accommodation, once used by the lifeboatmen of the RNLI. Because of its remote situation, the Humber lifeboat is the only one in Britain with a full-time crew. The old lighthouse was built in 1852 and was used at one time as a magazine for storing explosives.
The first lifeboat was stationed on Spurn Head in 1810, and over the years many daring rescues have taken place. The lifeboat house was built in 1923 to accommodate a new Watson-type lifeboat, and Coxswain Robert Cross — who operated the lifeboat at this time — was awarded the George Medal, two RNLI gold medals, three silver medals, and two bronze medals for gallantry at sea during his 31 years of service.
During summer, part of Spurn Head is fenced off to protect the nesting grounds of the Little Tern. This ground-nesting bird produces nests of two to three eggs which are well camouflaged, making it easy for unwary walkers to tread on and destroy them. Behind the beach is an area overrun by sea buckthorn, offering a haven for migrating birds.
Just offshore lie the Binks, Inner Binks, and Middle Binks sandbanks. On a stormy night in 1915 the rowing lifeboat went to the assistance of the SS Florence, which had run aground on Middle Binks; the lifeboat went aground too some distance from the ship, so Coxswain Cross walked over the sandbanks taking a line to the ship. In the darkness he was engulfed by waves, but at the second attempt succeeded in getting a line to the ship and rescuing eight seamen (receiving one of his three RNLI silver medals for his courage and bravery).
A light was first erected on Spurn Head to guide shipping in 1428, looked after by a hermit who took tolls from passing ships. In 1676 another light was built on Spurn Head, which by then was extended southwards, and Trinity House replaced the lighthouse with newer versions in 1771, 1816, and 1831.
Close to the lighthouse stood the engine sheds of the Spurn Head Railway. The line ran between the hamlet of Kilnsea and Spurn Head and was built during World War One; as well as regular engines, the line was used by a veteran racing car converted by an army engineer to fit on the track, and there was also a bogie with a sail that operated on the line when there was a favourable breeze.
Note: The walk can be extended to a longer nine-mile (14.5 km) trek by setting off from Kilnsea to Spurn Head and returning on the same path. (Download the route here)
Acknowledgment: Text derived from the Out and Out Series; Discovering the Countryside on Foot. Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia.
