About

On Hessle foreshore, in the shadow of the north tower of the Humber Bridge, stands Hessle Whiting Mill, a unique example of an early nineteenth century whiting windmill. The mill forms part of the Humber Bridge Country Park’s Chalk Walk heritage trail.

Inside the mill

Take a look inside the newly renovated Hessle Mill, see our displays on when the mill and quarry were in use. Please note, due to the size of the mill, a limited number of people can enter at a time. Please be prepared to queue.

The Chalk Walk

Follow the Chalk Walk heritage trail to learn about the natural, industrial and social history of the Humber Bridge Country Park, a former chalk quarry that once supplied the whiting mill with chalk. Known locally as Little Switzerland, the Country Park has been a popular family destination for generations. It is also a designated Local Nature Reserve welcoming more than 100,000 visitors per year.

The Chalk Walk begins close to the main Humber Bridge car park and follows a path through the oldest area of the Country Park. The trail continues on the Humber Foreshore inside the whiting mill’s tower on five levels. Inside the tower you can learn about the history of the mill, including how it worked, how whiting was made and who worked there. On the upper floors you can listen to memories and stories about Little Switzerland and Hessle Foreshore on our audio listening stations. You will also have a chance to 'meet' the mill’s Victorian owner and the wife of an Edwardian quarryman.

Watch the video on the Quarry to Country Park page

Visiting with children

The Humber Bridge Country Park is perfect for families. There is a small play area near the Hessle Mill on the foreshore, and the Country Park nature reserve offers multiple nature walks, picnic and barbecue areas.

Public transport

By train: The nearest stop is Hessle railway station. Then walk or cycle to the mill via Southfield Road, Redcliff Road and Cliff Road (0.8 miles or approximately 15 minutes walk)

By Bus: Service 350 (East Yorkshire Buses / Stagecoach) from Hull to Scunthorpe via the Humber Bridge, approximately every 30 minutes, Mondays-Saturdays. Either alight at Heads Lane, Boothferry Road and walk down (abut 15 minutes) or alight at the Humber Bridge approach road and walk down the steps to the County Park.

Parking

There is free parking both at the top of the Country Park, where you will find pedestrian access to the Humber Bridge, and to the rear of the mill. The car park by The Country Park Inn is Pay and Display.

Bikes

Bikes are welcome to travel along the coastal path or over the Humber Bridge, but are not permitted inside the county park nature reserve itself. Please use the bicycle racks provided.

Location accessibility

As part of the creation of the Chalk Walk, accessibility and footpaths around the Mill and nearby car park have been improved. Access to the Country Park and Chalk Walk can be gained through the underpasses to the west of the mill. Please note that access to the upper floors of the mill is by stairs only.