Fun Facts about Hornsea!
Thursday 24th Jul, 2025
Did you know that the popular coastal town of Hornsea has an interesting history? As our latest branch serves people living or working in and around Hornsea, we thought we'd share some fun facts with you!
- The name most likely derives from the Old Norse words ‘horn’ (horn), ‘nes’ (headland) and ‘sae’ (sea).
- Hornsea is the start and end point of the Trans-Pennine Trail, a 215 mile coast-to-coast foot, horse and cycle route stretching across England to Southport on the Irish Sea.
- Hornsea Mere, Yorkshire’s largest freshwater lake and RSPB reserve, covers 467 acres and was used as a Royal Naval Seaplane base in World War I.
- A hurricane struck the town in 1732 which not only destroyed the church tower but unroofed 40 buildings, caused the vicarage to collapse and overturned a windmill.
- It is said that the vault of St Nicholas’ Church was used to stash contraband during Hornsea’s colourful smuggling past.
- Bettison’s Folly, a tower built in the 1840s by a local brewer, allowed his manservant to watch for him returning from work to ensure that his dinner was served on time.
- After the railway line, promoted by Hull timber merchant and Hornsea resident Joseph Armitage Wade, opened in 1864, many other Hull businessmen made the town their home.
- By 1894 20 fishermen with 12 boats were based here, crab rather than wet fish being the main catch.
- Brian Rix (1924-2016), actor, producer of the Whitehall farces and disability campaigner (later Baron Rix of Whitehall and Hornsea) lived in the town as a child.
- Hornsea Pottery, a major local employer with 200 workers by the 1960s, produced iconic tableware at one time found in households all over Britain.
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Written by JES – July 2025
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