A Wednesday Wander in Holderness

A ‘Wednesday Wander’ in Holderness

A ‘Wednesday Wander’ in Holderness for Cycling UK Louth's Tim Newbery and Cycling UK Lincoln's Mike Housley 18th February 2026

A February half term ‘Wednesday Wander’ in the wilds of Holderness for Tim Newbery and Mike Housley had been planned for weeks but of course at this time of year, subject to the vagaries of the weather. Indications at the beginning of the week were for a cold and strong easterly wind but dry with perhaps some periods of sunshine.

Having ventured across the border into the East Riding of Yorkshire, we departed from New Ellerby along the ‘Hornsea Rail Trail’ at about 11.30 am. We were grateful of the shelter this stretch of our ride would give. Local airports were reporting south easterly winds averaging 25 mph gusting 35 mph.

The route to Hornsea would follow the old Hull to Hornsea railway line, built in 1862 and promoted to provide transportation to and from the agricultural region of Holderness, and to promote Hornsea as a seaside resort. Indeed, Mike remembers family excursions from their home in Hull to Hornsea using the train on this railway line for their summer holidays.

Following on from recent heavy rains the Rail Trail was puddled in places but using our trusty Halfords Subway 8’s, we managed well and enjoyed increasingly sunny skies and birdsong along the route. A flooded section near Goxhill forced a diversion but we were fortuitous in that it afforded a visit of Church of Saint Giles, where we rested and enjoyed apple and raisin oat bars.

The current building is Georgian of origin but Goxhill is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 and the font is certainly Norman. The church is also the traditional burial place of the Constables of Wassand and there’s a prominent tombstone to Marmaduke Constable. Holderness was once owned by Drogo de la Bourerer as a reward from William at the time of conquest, having fought with him at the Battle of Hastings. The Constable family were later to own much of the land from the 12th Century with their main seat at Burton Constable Hall, now a major visitor attraction.

There was also a railway station at Goxhill, one train stopping per week, a Tuesday. Its name was soon changed to Wassland to avoid confusion with Goxhill in Lincolnshire.

Time to carry on and we were looking forward to hot drinks to warm us up at Hornsea. The Leisure Centre staff looked after us well, great views out to sea where waves were crashing onto the sand and shingle beach. Very atmospheric.

Our return route was straight into the fierce wind along the coast to Mappleton, white horses clearly visible out to sea. We had the option of stopping at the Old Post Office Tea Rooms (where we’ve enjoyed fine fayre before) but decided on this occasion to enjoy refreshments at Burton Constable Hall before its closure at 4 pm.

On reaching Cowden and a check on our watches, a decision was made to head inland to Withernwick where club members in the past have visited in 2017, 2018 and 2019 en route to Skipsea Castle, utilising East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s ‘William’s Farm Kitchen Cycle Challenge Ride’. An easy, relaxed pace now with the wind directly behind us.

We rejoined the Rail Trail at Whitedale before heading for welcome refreshment at Burton Constable Hall, arriving a little after 3.30 pm.

A dry and largely sunny day with temperatures up to 6 Degrees Celsius. 20 miles covered with a hard graft into the wind at times.

Tim’s ‘Relive’ video: https://www.relive.com/view/vE6JA4e7AgO