Humber Bridge Country Park

Is it right for my child?

• Trail followers: the council record describes three nature trails through the woods, the meadows and around the cliffs. They are waymarked with hand carved owls, rabbits and frogs.
• Puzzle fans: the Tree Trail has leaf-shaped markers with a coded challenge to solve.
• Orienteering: the record says there are 6 courses of different lengths and difficulty, all suitable for adults and children.
• Sculpture seats: the Phoenix Sculpture Trail winds through the woods with 10 sculptural seats inspired by the reserve’s heritage.
• Bird watchers: the bird feeding station has living willow screens and a viewing tunnel, made by the reserve’s Friends Group.
• Bridge views: the council says the tree covered chalk terraces give dramatic views over the River Humber and the Humber Bridge.
• Toddlers: there is water and there are cliffs, so keep little ones close. The council says swimming and paddling in the ponds are not permitted.

Plan your visit: a parent’s checklist

• Use the Hessle Foreshore entrance with a pushchair or wheelchair. It is the only step-free entrance, and the council says the nature trails start there.
• Park in the Foreshore car park for step-free access. The upper car parks nearer the bridge reach the park by flights of steps.
• Download the leaflets before you go. The council record has the park leaflet, map, Tree Trail sheets and orienteering leaflet, map and course card.
• Pack a picnic. The official pages do not mention a café in the park. The record says there are picnic benches and seats every 100 metres along the surfaced paths.
• Talk about the rules first: keep out of the ponds and leave the newts alone. The July 2020 leaflet also says not to climb the cliffs.

Prices and tickets

The council record lists free admission. It mentions no tickets and no booking for an ordinary visit.

The council’s Hessle Foreshore record says there is free parking for 100 cars along the Foreshore and at the Old Black Mill. The park leaflet, dated July 2020, also calls both the Humber Bridge car park and the Hessle Foreshore car park free.

Pushchairs, babies and toilets

• Step-free route: only the Hessle Foreshore entrance has a flat, level, step-free path. It goes through a wide kissing gate that the council says suits most wheelchairs and modern scooters.
• Other entrances: paths also lead in from Little Switzerland and the Bridge Car Park, but these are not step-free.
• Path surface: the record describes hard, firm and smooth paths throughout, wide enough to walk side by side. It says alternative paths are provided around the steps.
• Slopes: the steepest gradient is 1:12, except one 10 metre stretch at 1:5 on the Cliff Trail in the south-west corner.
• Toilets: the record says there are toilets on the foreshore near the Black Mill and in the upper car park. It gives no opening hours for them.
• Baby changing: the official pages do not mention baby changing facilities.

Food and drink

The official pages do not mention a café in the park. The council record says the Country Park Inn pub is next to the Black Mill on the foreshore. It gives no opening hours or menu for it.

For picnics, the record lists picnic benches and seats every 100 metres along the surfaced paths. It says the picnic tables can take wheelchairs. The 2020 leaflet adds that some meadows are mown for games and picnics.

The official pages differ on fires. The record says to use the steel barbecue stands and never put hot fires on the grass. The July 2020 leaflet says fire lighting is not permitted.

Getting there and parking

The council address is Cliff Road, Hessle Foreshore, Hessle, HU13 0HB. The 2020 leaflet says the park is about 5 miles west of Hull on the A63, or 10 miles from Beverley on the A164.

• Car parks: the record says the reserve has several large car parks.
• Step-free car park: the 2020 leaflet gives HU13 0HB as the postcode for the Hessle Foreshore free car park.
• Train: the record names Hessle station as nearest. It says the walk to the mill via Southfield Road, Redcliff Road and Cliff Road is 0.8 miles, about 15 minutes.
• Bus: the record lists service 350 from Hull to Scunthorpe via the Humber Bridge, about every 30 minutes, Mondays to Saturdays.
• From the bus: get off at Heads Lane, Boothferry Road, and walk down for about 15 minutes. Or get off at the Humber Bridge approach road and take the steps down.

When to visit

The July 2020 leaflet says the park is open every day of the year. The current council record gives no opening hours. It does not mention Christmas or New Year arrangements, so check before you travel.

The council’s wildlife highlights are mostly summer ones. The record says hundreds of butterflies feed on sunny August days. Its improving meadows page asks visitors to come back in spring and summer to see the meadow bloom.

The park does not suggest a visit length.

Additional needs and disability support

The council describes several access features, and the 2020 leaflet says the park is accessible to wheelchair users through the Hessle Foreshore entrance.

Frequently asked questions

Is Humber Bridge Country Park free?

Yes. The council record lists free admission. The Hessle Foreshore record says there is free parking for 100 cars along the Foreshore and at the Old Black Mill.

Can you take a pushchair to Humber Bridge Country Park?

Yes, if you use the Hessle Foreshore entrance, the only step-free one. The council describes hard, smooth paths, with one short 1:5 slope on the Cliff Trail. The entrances from the upper car parks have steps.

Are there toilets at Humber Bridge Country Park?

The council record says there are toilets on the foreshore near the Black Mill and in the upper car park. It gives no opening hours, and the official pages do not mention baby changing.

Is there a playground at Humber Bridge Country Park?

The Country Park record does not list one. The council’s separate Hessle Foreshore record mentions a small children’s play area by the toilets next to the Black Mill.

Can you take dogs to Humber Bridge Country Park?

Yes. The record says to keep your dog under close control and pick up after it. On the neighbouring Hessle Foreshore, the council says dogs must be on a lead at all times.

Is Humber Bridge Country Park open at Christmas?

The July 2020 leaflet says the park is open every day of the year. The current council record gives no hours or Christmas arrangements, so check before you travel.

Checked on 13 November 2026 against the official East Riding Coast and Countryside pages for Humber Bridge Country Park, Hessle Foreshore and improving meadows and woodlands, plus the council’s park leaflet, map and orienteering leaflet. Prices and times can change, so check before you travel.