Hornsea is a small seaside resort town and civil parish in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England at the eastern end of the Trans Pennine Trail. According to the 2001 UK Census Hornsea parish had a population of 8,243. It is well known for its former pottery factory, which closed in 2000, Hornsea Pottery. Along with exhibits of fascinating local history, the largest display of Hornsea Pottery in the world can be seen at the Hornsea Museum, which is located in Newbegin, the main street of Hornsea. opposite stands the unique 'Folly', currently its future is in doubt, built by local business man Bettison in the 19th century, it contains the only fully working retractable flag pole in the country[citation needed]. It has many coastal defences such as sea walls, groynes and beach nourishment. Despite these defences, Hornsea's primarily cliff-based shoreline is eroding at one of the fastest-known rates in Europe. Like the larger resorts in the area, (such as Withernsea, Bridlington, Filey and Scarborough), the town has a promenade with shops selling fish and chips, ice cream, bucket and spade sets and other traditional seaside paraphernalia. Like many seaside resorts of yesteryear its facilities have been allowed to deteriorate. Hornsea Mere, a large lake and bird sanctuary, lies near the town and is popular for sailing. Hornsea Mere is a natural lake (not manmade) which was created by glacial movement during the Ice Age. From 1854 to 1964 Hornsea had a railway station on the Hull and Hornsea Railway which connected it to Hull. This line was opened by Joseph Armitage Wade, whose house once stood where Hornsea School and Language College stands today. A cottage close to the school was once visited regularly by Lawrence of Arabia; and Winston Churchill visited, and was photographed in, another house nearby. Another famous visitor to the town was the Victorian novelist Charlotte Brontë. After the railway was recommended for closure by Dr Richard Beeching (see British Rail) in his report The Reshaping of British Railways, the trackbed became the final lap of the Trans Pennine Trail. The old railway line is now a well-maintained walking and cycling (bicycles only) trail. It is a very pleasant trail with appropriate stopping points for picnic lunches. On the southern edge of Hornsea (near the site of Hornsea Pottery, closed 2000) is a large shopping centre known as Hornsea Freeport, which was the first shopping centre of its kind in this part of the north-east, adapting the original UK theme park set up by Hornsea Pottery in its heyday.