Beverley and Barmston Drain

Beverley and Barmston Drain is a water management channel running through farmland in northern East Yorkshire, controlling water levels across the region. The system includes overflow traps, weed screens, and gates that manage water flow and prevent flooding.

Authorization for the drainage system came in 1798 to address flooding in salt marshes and wetlands near the Humber estuary. This early engineering project responded to farming needs in a waterlogged region.

Farmers shaped this drainage system through generations of managing water in marshy land. Their practices remain visible in how the waterway and surrounding fields are used and maintained today.

The drain runs through working farmland and is best explored on foot or by bicycle where access is permitted. Visit during drier seasons when the pathways and surrounding areas are more accessible and easier to navigate.

The Waterside monitoring station reveals how dramatically water levels rise and fall in this drainage system. These fluctuations show the delicate balance between farming needs and water management in the area.

Location: East Riding of Yorkshire

GPS coordinates: 53.85310,-0.39990

Latest update: December 12, 2025 16:43