Beverley Beck was origially a tidal tributary of the River Hull nand was an important commercial port carrying goods between Beverley and the River Hull and Humber. Commercial traffic eventually dwindled and had finished by the 1970s. Now the Beck is the preserve of fishermen and a few small pleasure craft.
On a sunny day, it makes a pleasant “walk.”:http://walkingtheriding.eastriding.gov.uk/find-walks/beverley-area/?entryid30=45144
Starting from the Beckhead just off the main B1230 road from the centre of Beverley, there are well made footpaths on both sides of the beck.
At first it is lined with attractive housing. “Beverley Barge Preservation Society”:http://www.syntanbarge.org.uk/ have their base at Crane Wharf and their three preserved barges, Syntan, Sun and Mermaid are moored here.
Below the A1174 bridge the Beck becomes a tree lined sleepy backwater popular with fishermen. On the south side is Figham Common, one of Beverley’s common pastures, which has been used by the Freemen of Beverley since the C13th to graze their livestock. Cows and sheep can still be seen grazing here.
Beverley Beck Boating Association have their base near Grovehill Lock, and pleasure craft as well as canal narrowboats are moored here. Near it, behind the lock keepers cottage is one of the docks used by shipbuilders, responsible for building and repair of the local keel barges
The lock controls access to the River Hull. There is a choice of continuing the walk further along the River Hull, or crossing over on the lock gate and walking back to the Beckhead. It’s about 1.5 miles round trip and on a sunny day makes a very pleasant and easy walk. It is wheelchar and pushchair friendly although crossing the lock gate may present problems.
