Beverley Beck is the historic waterway that once made the town of Beverley one of most prosperous in England.
Through links with the Low Countries and other parts of mainland Europe, Beverley was at the centre of a number of trades, with perhaps the most prosperous of the lot the tanning industry.
The Beck was first mentioned in the late 13th century in historical records, and continued to the main route for the import of goods into Beverley well into the first half of the 20th century.
Much of the stone used to build Beverley Minster and St Mary’s Church was carried to the town along the Beck.
A thriving ship-building industry once flourished here too, with the lock system allowing large boats to be built inland and sailed down the River Hull to Hull or further inland.
Other industries which flourished due to the Beck included milling, brewing and a host of agricultural industries.
Today, little is left of the warehouse, tanneries or shipyards that lined the banks of the Beck, but a walk towards the River Hull from Beckside still reveals glimpses of Beverley’s rich industrial history.
By Scott McHugh