Staying at Spurn

Spurn Bird Observatory is situated at the northern end of Spurn Peninsula, half a mile from Kilnsea. There is an hourly East Yorkshire (East Yorkshire Travel Centre, Ferensway Bus Station, Hull - tel. No.; 01482 222222) bus service between Hull and Easington (four miles to the north) on weekdays and Saturdays between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Naturalists wishing to stay at the Observatory should apply to the Warden, Kew Villa, Kilnsea, via Patrington, Hull, East Yorshire, HU12 0UG, stating the dates on the nights that they wish to stay, with possible alternatives and enclosing a s.a.e. Alternatively you can telephone and leave a message on the answer phone ( 01964 650479) or email the warden at friendsofspurn@hotmail.com. Visitors stay at their own risk.

The charge is £7 per night (only £5 to members of Friends of Spurn) payable to “Spurn Bird Observatory Trust” via the Warden. Visitor under 16 years of age can only be accepted if accompanied by a responsible adult

Cooking facilities are available at the Observatory with crockery, cutlery and kitchen utensils provided. Food may be bought in Easington (half-day closing Tuesday) or in Withernsea (10 miles to the north), where a full range of shops and services (including banks) are available

Blankets are provided on the beds, but sheets and pillow slips (or sleeping bags and pillow slips), towels and soap must be brought. Rooms MUST be kept clean and tidy and breakages made good. Please respect other Observatory residents and keep noise to a minimum at night time. Camping, caravans and sleeping in cars are not allowed and under no circumstances may dogs be brought onto the reserve.

Visitors wishing to take part in ringing should first get permission from the Warden and should hold a current BTO permit (A or C) or be supervised by a permit holder with whom the responsibility for accuracy rests. Traps must not be driven unless there is a registered ringer present. Only rings provided by the Observatory are to be used. Visitors are not entitled to publish records or photographs made whilst using the facilities of the Observatory without first obtaining permission from the committee.

Rights of ownership of the peninsula are vested in Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Ltd. Visitors to the Observatory are expected to observe the regulations issued for the guidance of the public. These include the avoidance of certain marked areas in the breeding season and bans against fires, tents, uprooting of plants, shooting etc. Membership of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union and/or the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Ltd. carries no right of entry to Observatory premises, traps etc. except by arrangement with officials of the Observatory or with the Warden. Other properties on the peninsula are also let and cannot be visited except by arrangement with the tenants

To join “ Friends of Spurn Bird Observatory”, you can obtain a membership form from the visitor centre or from the Warden, or by writing to the Membership Secretary, 114 Everill Gate Lane, Broomhill, Barnsley, S73 0YJ