History of Withernsea
Withernsea was first mentioned during Saxon times when it was known as Whithornsea meaning “White thorn by the water” and was reckoned to one or two miles from the sea. Edward III granted the town a charter for 2 weekly markets and an annual fair. The small, slightly northerly settlement of Owthorne eventually joined Withernsea in becoming one town. Owthorne had its own Church of St Peter which was washed away by 1816, but St Nicholas Church, having been in ruins for 250 years, has now been restored and is in use again as Withernsea’s Parish Church. It has always been a farming community with fishing supplementing this in later years.
The Sea
Due to the poor condition of the many vessels trading along the coast and the bad weather, there were many shipwrecks and the townsfolk regularly plundered these stricken vessels. The arrival of the fishing families from Norfolk seemed to bring about a change of attitude and they took to rescuing seamen, which in turn lead to the setting up of the life saving service. From humble beginnings Withernsea now boasts a brand new lifeboat station and Inshore Rescue boat, manned by volunteers, which is in service throughout the year and the RNLI has saved many lives over the years in Withernsea.
The Lighthouse
The Withernsea lighthouse was built in 1894 and was in use until 1976 when modern navigational instruments made it obsolete.
It re-opened in 1989 as a local history museum with special sections dedicated to the history of Withernsea’s lifeboats and Kay Kendall, the Withernsea born actress who dried tragically in 1959.
The Cliffs and Coastline
The East Coast, with its soft boulder clay, has long been eroded by the sea and the Victorian sea walls and Promenade were replaced in the 1990’s and it is hoped they will serve the town as long as their predecessors.
Impact of the Railway
The railway came to Withernsea in 1854 and it was envisaged that the town would become the Brighton of the East Coast. A large hotel was built and a pier. Both were to prove disasters. The hotel was never profitable and became a hospital, only demolished in 1999 after the new purpose built one was erected.
The pier was struck by several boats during its short life and today only the Pier Towers remain, These, designed to replicate Conway Castle.
Withernsea’s heyday as a family seaside resort began a steady decline with the loss of the railway in 1963 but soon encouraged visitors with the first Sunday market along the east Coast. Withernsea received a major face lift having won a grant of £1.5m which provided a new look to Valley Gardens and several areas along the seafront.
