Holderness: Sutton-on-Hull

The fourth stage of the Holderness series didn't involve any public transport. I just took the Hornsea Railway trail near home and walked along it to Sutton and Castlehill Aquagreen. It was cloudy and a bit drizzly to start with, but when I got to Sutton it was a beautiful sunny and calm morning. After the drainage of the marshy lands by the river, up to the early 20th century, low-lying fields stretched from the river Hull to Sutton. These were usually flooded in the winter due to poor drainage, but provided excellent summer pastures, which included Sutton Ings and Summergangs just south of Sutton. The city of Hull eastwards growth meant that it reached Sutton and the village ended up being part of the city in 1929, although still maintains a traditional village feel, with green spaces, plentiful mature trees, gardens and ancient footpaths such as Sutton Trod. It is a conservation area with several listed buildings, including Grade I listed St James' Church (top shot). Sutton-in-Holderness or Sutton-in-Hull is an ancient village named in the Domesday book, but in human use since Mesolithic times. It sits on a low hill, a rise of glacial till, 10 m over the sea level, which would have made it an ideal spot for a settlement, on dry ground rising over the tidal marshes, meadows and carrs (Sutton is surrounded by North Carr, East Carr, West Carr, now built up, and Risholme Carr), with easy reach for hunting and fishing. There is also historic evidence of the presence of wells providing fresh water.

The railway trail within Hull is a wonderful green corridor.

Twenty-four crows had something to resolve, they cawed and displayed atop some trees near Brackley Park.

Squirrels were busy burying food along the trail.

The section by Rockford fields and beyond has Turkey oaks, now glowing golden.

Just near Sutton, there is a well-wooded railway cutting, where I spot Goldcrest, Coal Tit, and Great Spotted Woodpecker amongst others.

Coal Tit.

Goldcrest.

Great Spotted Woodpecker

The railway bridge under Wawne Road, at Sutton. I leave the trail sortly after to visit Sutton.

The Old School, now Sutton and Wawne museum.

Adjoining cottages give a village feel to Church street.

Blackbird.

A surprise Red Admiral sat on a tree trunk on the church grounds.

Now onto the next part of the walk today. I follow the railway trail northeast and I'm soon in the outskirts of Hull. A set of fields, East and North Carr are still on the city boundary just south of Holderness drain. There has been some work done as part of the Holderness Drain Flood Alleviation Scheme led by the Environmental Agency on East Carr, with the Suttoncross Drain being realigned and enlarged, which enhances the ability of the land to retain water, enhancing flood defence and wildlife. Site access has also been improved.

 Suttoncross Drain realignment site looking northwest.

Moorhen and bullrush at the site.

A Grey Heron by the Holderness Drain.

Jackdaw at the Castlehill mound.

I sit on one of the new benches around Castle Hill mound to have my lunch. Half way through, whilst I watch a kestrel hovering in the distance, a sudden shower forces me to get my umbrella out. First time I have a picnic under an umbrella! I will have to pay a visit to this area in the summer.

Greenfinch.