National Character Area 41

Humber Estuary - Key Facts & Data

Landscape and nature conservation designations section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

The long spit of land at the mouth of the Humber Estuary is recognised as Spurn Head Heritage Coast, covering 342ha (1 per cent of NCA) (Natural England, 2011).

Relationship with the coast

The adjacent coastline is covered by the following Shoreline Management Plans:

  • Flamborough Head to Gibralter Point

The adjacent coastline includes the following Marine Plan – Marine Character Areas (MCAs):

  • Humber Waters
  • Holderness Coastal Waters
  • East Midlands Coastal Waters




Designated nature conservation sites

The NCA includes the following statutory nature conservation designations (Natural England, Special Protection Areas; Special Area of Conservation; Ramsars; National Nature Reserves; Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Local Nature Reserves, 2021):

Please note: (i) Designated areas may overlap (ii) all figures are cut to Mean High Water Line, designations that span coastal/marine areas below this line will not be included.

Condition of designated sites
All designated sites within England are covered by Sites of Scientific Interest (SSSI) units. The condition to these SSSI units within the NCA are as follows (Natural England, Sites of Special Scientific Interest Units, 2021; 2023):



Landscape and nature conservation designations map for NCA41

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Landform, geology and soils section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Elevation

This NCA comprises the land on both sides of the wide Humber Estuary, where it flows into the North Sea. It is mostly only a few metres above sea level, rising to a maximum of 65m (Natural England, 2010).

Landform and process

The area is flat and low-lying, with some small areas of higher land on both sides where the chalk ridge, that forms the Yorkshire Wolds to the north and the Lincolnshire Wolds to the south, cuts across the estuary. The NCA contains
the open water of the estuary, which has high suspended sediment loads that feed a dynamic and rapidly changing system of accreting and eroding intertidal and subtidal mudflats, sandflats, saltmarsh and reed beds (Humber Estuary Countryside Character Description).

Bedrock geology

The underlying bedrock is mainly Cretaceous chalk which forms the ridges of the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire Wolds. These run north south, cutting across the flow of the estuary. However, the chalk is only rarely exposed within the NCA. A breakdown of solid geology as a proportion of total land area is as follows: 86 per cent chalk; 9 per cent mudstone; 2 per cent mudstone, limestone interbedded and 1 per cent ironstone (British Geological Survey, 2006).

Superficial deposits

There is a constantly changing and dynamic system of accretion and erosion along the coastline, creating intertidal and subtidal mudflats, sandflats, saltmarsh, reed beds within the estuary, and changing deposits and erosion of sand and sand dunes along the North Sea coast. Spurn is an outstanding example of a dynamic spit system, very unusual, if not unique in Europe, in that the massive supply of sediment resulting from the erosion of the Holderness coast to the north has enabled it to extend across the mouth of a macro-tidal estuary. There exists an exceptionally long historical map record and written accounts extending back to the 7th century. This record indicates that the spit continuously shifts its location in response to dynamic coastal processes, especially the ongoing erosion of the Holderness coast. A short stretch of cliff and foreshore at South Ferriby reveals exposures of Pleistocene sediments – boulder clays interbedded with silts and gravels. Resting on these are sandy chalk gravels of probable fluvio-glacial origin, and interpretation of the succession of these sediments is key to understanding the Late Pleistocene history of the region. Farmland within the character area is mostly reclaimed salt marsh consisting of silts, clays and sand (Humber Estuary Natural Area Profile, Humber Estuary Countryside Character Description).

Designated geological sites

The NCA includes the following geological sites (Natural England, Geological and Mixed Sites of Special Scientific Interest, 2021):

wdt_ID NCA_ID NAME NCAAreaHa Interest type Area (ha) 2021 Percent of NCA (2021) Count
2361NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND COASTAL PLAIN37,669.6Geological6.80.01
2371NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND COASTAL PLAIN37,669.6Mixed1,029.52.75
2382NORTHUMBERLAND SANDSTONE HILLS72,694.6Geological45.40.14
2393CHEVIOT FRINGE51,591.3Geological17.10.02
2404CHEVIOTS36,487.9Geological165.00.52
2414CHEVIOTS36,487.9Mixed3,488.99.61
2425BORDER MOORS AND FORESTS127,155.9Geological85.70.18
2435BORDER MOORS AND FORESTS127,155.9Mixed35.80.01
2446SOLWAY BASIN98,350.4Geological7.20.02
2456SOLWAY BASIN98,350.4Mixed5,569.25.74

Soils and Agriculture Classification

Much of the agricultural land has been reclaimed from the estuary, especially to the north. Generally, the agricultural land is of good quality, with some areas of more fertile soils where there are glacial and alluvial drift deposits. The best quality land, grades 1 and 2, is largely on the north side of the estuary, on the reclaimed land, whilst the poorest quality, grade 4, is to be found on Spurn Point (Natural England, 2010).

The main grades of agricultural land in the NCA are broken down as follows (as a proportion of total land area) (Natural England, Provisional Agricultural Land Classification, 2019):


Landform, geology and soils map for NCA41

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Key waterbodies and catchments section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Major rivers/canals

The following major rivers/canals (by length) have been identified in this NCA (Natural England, data informing the 2014 National Character Area Profiles, 2010):

wdt_ID REF_CODE NAME_1 Name Length (km) SumOfShape_Length
11NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND COASTAL PLAINRiver Aln7.67,587.2
21NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND COASTAL PLAINRiver Coquet5.55,516.0
31NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND COASTAL PLAINWhiteadder Water2.92,904.9
410NORTH PENNINESBlack Burn11.911,853.4
510NORTH PENNINESCroglin Water10.010,042.3
610NORTH PENNINESCrowdundle Beck4.34,337.4
710NORTH PENNINESDevil's Water20.520,464.6
810NORTH PENNINESHarwood Beck9.79,740.2
910NORTH PENNINESRiver Allen4.94,889.0
1010NORTH PENNINESRiver Derwent15.315,268.4

Please note: other significant rivers (by volume) may also occur. Tidal stretches of rivers are not included, which may include some major rivers.

The Humber Estuary flows from west to east, and is the culmination of many large rivers that together drain some 20 per cent of the land area of England into the North Sea. Other watercourses have been constructed to drain the area, or to provide navigable routes for the transfer of goods.

Water quality

Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) are areas designated as being at risk from agricultural nitrate pollution. These can impact surface water (waterbodies and waterways located above ground) and groundwater (water bodies and waterways located below ground).

Waterbodies such as lakes can also be designated as “eutrophic waters” if the enrichment of the waterbody by nitrate pollution causes accelerated growth of algae, impacting the quality of the water and the balance of organisms within it.

The following NVZs are located within the NCA (Environment Agency, Nitrate Vulnerable Zones Designations, 2021):

Water framework directive

River basin management plans cover river basin districts and describe the challenges that threaten the water environment and how these challenges can be managed and funded. The plans include the classification of water quality of surface waters and ground waters.



Click on the Water Framework Directive layers on the below map to view the corresponding river names.

Key waterbodies and catchments map for NCA41

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Trees and woodlands section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Total woodland cover

Ancient woodland is any area that has been wooded continuously since at least 1600 AD. National Forest Inventory (NFI) woodland includes all forests and woodlands (0.5 hectares and over). The total woodland cover within the NCA is as follows (Forestry Commission, National Forest Inventory, 2020; 2023; Natural England, Ancient Woodland, 2021; 2024; this does not consider Natural England’s ‘Ancient Woodland – Revised (England) – Completed Counties’ data as this is being updated in tranches and no full dataset is yet available):

Distribution and size of woodland and trees in the landscape

Woodland cover is sparse and confined to just a few small woodlands on higher land on the south side of the estuary, and a few young plantations on the north side, reflecting the relatively recent reclamation of much of the land adjoining the estuary (Humber Estuary Countryside Character Description).

Woodland types

A statistical breakdown of the area and type of woodland found across the NCA is detailed below (Forestry Commission, National Forest Inventory, 2020; 2023):

Area and proportion of ancient woodland and planted ancient woodland sites (PAWS) within the NCA (Natural England, Ancient Woodland, 2021; 2024):


Trees and woodlands map for NCA41

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Boundary features and patterns

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated.

Boundary features

Field boundaries are predominantly formed by dykes and drains, sometimes combined with flood embankments, with just a few hedgerows on higher land (Humber Estuary Countryside Character Area Description, Countryside Quality Counts, 2003).

Field patterns

Fields are generally large and rectilinear, especially in the reclaimed areas on the north side (Humber Estuary Countryside Character Area Description, Countryside Quality Counts, 2003).

Agriculture section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

The following tables provide the most recently available statistics from Defra on agriculture within the NCA.

Farm type

The following farm types are located within this NCA (Defra, Structure of the agricultural industry in England and the UK at June, 2025):

Farm size

The following table outlines the sizes of farms within the NCA (Defra, Structure of the agricultural industry in England and the UK at June, 2025):

Farm ownership

The following table outlines the ownership of farms within the NCA (Defra, Structure of the agricultural industry in England and the UK at June, 2025):

Land use

The following table outlines the types of agricultural land use within the NCA (Defra, Structure of the agricultural industry in England and the UK at June, 2025):

Livestock numbers

The following livestock are farmed within the NCA (Defra, Structure of the agricultural industry in England and the UK at June, 2025):

Farm labour

The following table outlines the types of farm labour within the NCA (Defra, Structure of the agricultural industry in England and the UK at June, 2025):

Please note: (i) Some of the Census data are estimated by Defra so may not present a precise assessment of agriculture within this area (ii) Data refers to commercial holdings only (iii) Data includes land outside of the NCA where it belongs to holdings whose centre point is recorded as being within the NCA.



Note that the below map only shows agri-environment scheme coverage, and not other schemes.

Agriculture map for NCA41

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Key habitats and species section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Habitat distribution/coverage

The Estuary comprises a dynamic and changing system of accreting and eroding intertidal and subtidal mudflats, sandflats and other estuarine features. The estuary is of international importance for its coastal lagoons, fixed, shifting and stable dunes, mudflats and sand flats.

The Estuary supports a full range of saline conditions from the open coast to the limit of saline intrusion along the tidal stretches of the rivers Ouse and Trent.

The Spurn Point peninsula is subject to the processes of erosion and accretion, with exposed sandy shores facing the North Sea to the east, and mudflats and saltmarsh on the sheltered east side.

The disused clay pits at Barton now support open water habitats along with reedbeds and other wetland habitats. There are extensive intertidal reedbeds at the confluence of the Trent and Ouse.

Wetland habitats are developing at Alkborough Flats, where the flood defences were realigned to increase the capacity of the Estuary in extreme flood events. There are a number of other smaller managed realignment sites in the NCA which are developing a range of intertidal habitats and provide compensation for losses due to coastal squeeze arising from increased sea levels, or as compensation for specific developments (Humber Estuary Natural Area Profile).

Key Habitats

The NCA contains the following areas of key main habitats, as mapped by the national Priority Habitat Inventory (Natural England, Priority Habitats Inventory, 2021; 2024; Natural England, Wood Pasture and Parkland, 2020). Note: lakes and ponds were not included in 2021 data:






Key habitats and species map for NCA41

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Settlement and development patterns section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Settlement patterns

The area is dominated by the large conurbation of Kingston upon Hull on the north bank and the town and extensive industrial areas of Immingham and Immingham Docks on the south bank. These built up areas contrast with the sparsely populated rural areas especially on the relatively recently reclaimed land on the north bank, where there are scattered hamlets and small towns such as Easington and Kilnsea on slightly higher, drier land. The settlements of Hessle (on the north side) and Barton (on the south side) are linked by the Humber Bridge (Humber Estuary Countryside Character Area Description, Countryside Quality Counts, 2003).

Main settlements

The main towns within the NCA are: Kingston upon Hull, Immingham and Barton. The total estimated population for this NCA (derived from ONS 2001 census data) is: 274,567 (Humber Estuary Countryside Character Area Description, Countryside Quality Counts, 2003).

Local vernacular and building materials

The most obvious structures within the NCA are the Humber Bridge and the extensive industrial installations near Hull and around Immingham. Those traditional buildings that do occur are built of soft red brick with red pantiles, sometimes including cobbles near the coast. Nearby Beverley, and Barton on the south bank, were the home of the early English brick making industry. Along the coast there are distinctive structures including lighthouses, concrete sea defences and the Vessel Traffic Services tower on Spurn Point (Humber Estuary Countryside Character Area Description, Countryside Quality Counts, 2003).

Settlement and development patterns map for NCA41

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Key historic sites and features section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Origin of historic features

There is evidence of the Humber being used as a key communication route since the Bronze Age, with for example, a boat excavated at Ferriby that Now suitable for coastal as well as inland transportation. Early settlements were located on slightly higher drier land, using the marshes for fishing, fowling and summer grazing. There is evidence of drainage undertaken in Roman times, but the main activity occurred from the 17th century, with Dutch engineers assisting with cutting drainage channels and installing sluice and pumping systems. The practice of warping – flooding areas with tidal waters carrying fertile alluvial silt – brought low lying areas into cultivation, and warping drains still remain as a feature in the landscape. Hull expanded as a port from the 12th century, with major expansion in 19th century, along with other major ports developing on the south bank. Several features linked to coastal defence remain, with late 19th century coastal artillery battery and minefield control centre at Paull Point, First World War acoustic mirror near Kilnsea Grange, and Second World War gun sites facing the Humber. There is a lighthouse and a traffic control tower on Spurn Point (Countryside Quality Counts Draft Historic Profile, Countryside Character Area Description).

Designated historic assets

The NCA includes the following designated historic assets (Historic England, National Heritage List for England, 2021; 2024):

Listed buildings

The NCA includes the following listed buildings (Historic England, National Heritage List for England, 2021; 2024):

Heritage at Risk Register

The NCA includes the following designated historic assets listed within the Heritage at Risk Register (Historic England, Heritage at Risk Register, 2021; 2023):



Key historic sites and features map for NCA41

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Recreation and access section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Public access

The following areas of public access for recreation are located within this NCA (Natural England, 2021; National Trust, 2021):


Please note: Public access areas may overlap.

The following linear routes or public access for recreation are located within this NCA (Natural England, 2021; Sustrans; 2021):

Recreation and access map for NCA41

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Experiential qualities

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated.

Tranquillity

Based on the CPRE map of tranquillity (2006) the least tranquil areas are, unsurprisingly, the city of Hull on the north bank, and Immingham and the industrial areas on the south bank, while the agricultural land on the north side, some stretches of the estuary and Spurn Point are all very tranquil.

A breakdown of tranquillity values for this NCA are detailed in the table below (CPRE, Tranquillity Map, 2006):

Dark skies

Light pollution is a generic term referring to artificial light that shines where it is neither wanted nor needed, and can impact on people’s experience of the countryside within the NCAs. CPRE host an interactive map, depicting the light pollution and dark skies within the NCA.

Intrusion

The 2007 Intrusion Map (CPRE) shows the extent to which rural landscapes are ‘intruded on’ from urban development, noise (primarily traffic noise), and other sources of visual and auditory intrusion. This shows that that the city of Hull and the roads and industrial complexes around it are the most disturbed.

A breakdown of intrusion values for this NCA is detailed in the table below (CPRE, Intrusion Map, 2007):

Notable trends from the 1960s to 2007 are the increase in disturbed areas, which are the urban areas and industrial complexes around Grimsby, Immingham and the south bank. Dark night skies are affected by the urban areas, but also particularly by the large scale lighting of the industrial complexes, which make them into intrusive yet striking features when viewed across the waters of the Estuary.