Withernsea Beach

About Withernsea Beach

Withernsea is a quiet resort on the fast-eroding Holderness coast with a long sand and shingle beach backed by sea defences. A local sea glass jewellery maker says most of her glass comes from here, and locals believe much of it washes out of an old glass dump at the north end of the town. Longshore drift also brings material down the coast from further north.

Sea glass at Withernsea Beach

Blue is the colour people mention most, along with clear and green glass, smoothed vintage pottery and occasional red. Search the tide line among the pebbles, walking north from the Pier Towers access to the end of the sea defences; an outgoing tide makes pieces easier to spot.

Visiting Withernsea Beach

Getting there

Walk north from the Pier Towers beach access towards the end of the sea defences.

Safety

Check the tide times before you go and head out on a falling tide, so you're never cut off. Keep away from the bottom of cliffs, wear sturdy shoes on rocks, and only take sea glass and other man-made rubbish: pebbles, sand and shells should stay on the beach.