Hull has been reborn as the cultural and historic showpiece of East Yorkshire. The city has undergone major redevelopment over recent years and the waterfront is now dominated by beautifully restored historic buildings. As the perfect base to explore the rest of the region, Hull has memorable sights in all directions.
City of cultivating culture
Revitalised Hull was chosen as the UK City of Culture 2017, thanks to its wide range of arts activities and opportunities. Look for the Fishy Trail of nautical sculptures through the city or browse the old masters in the classic Ferens Art Gallery.
In the hometown of celebrated poet Philip Larkin, you can follow a trail that covers his life and writings, or enjoy acclaimed modern drama at Hull’s Truck Theatre. For a huge programme of annual arts festivals and events too, head for the Humber Street Sesh Music Festival in August and Hull Dance Festival in June.
Head deep into the ocean
The Deep, a striking modern building housing Hull’s state-of-the-art aquarium, dominates the north shore of the Humber. It's one of the world’s best aquatic collections and houses more than 3,500 creatures in massive tanks, the largest of which contains more than half a million gallons of water.
You can walk through a glass viewing-tunnel and see all the fish swimming above your head. The Deep’s highlights include several shark species, feeding time for the rays, fish that glow in the dark and a display of scary piranhas.
The Humber Bridge
The impressive suspension bridge across the Humber is just to the west of Hull. It is the seventh longest single-span suspension bridge in the world and was the longest when it opened in 1981.
As you drive across the wide river ponder the fact that the supporting towers are so high that they are more than an inch closer at the top than the bottom due to the curvature of the earth.
Exploring Hull's history
The Old Town area includes the fine 17th-century home of anti-slavery campaigner William Wilberforce, which is now a museum. It is surrounded by the period houses of wealthy Georgian merchants and friendly old sailors’ pubs.
There’s plenty of history around the rest of the city too. Look out for Hull’s rather grand Maritime Museum, England’s largest parish church and a popular Museum of Transport through the ages, which includes a collection of old buses and early bicycles.
Beautiful Beverley and beyond
A short drive north you can find a perfect retreat from the bustle of Hull. Elegant Beverley is built around its fine Minster church whose spire dominates the views for miles around.
You’ll be able to wander cobbled streets with upmarket shops and cafes, pass through the intact 15th-century city gate, or spend a day at the race course on the edge of town. And on Saturday enjoy browsing the stalls as the town centre is taken over by a large traditional market.
The rolling chalk hills to the north of Hull are a sparsely populated rural area known as the Yorkshire Wolds. If you’ve got a hire car it’s a great landscape for a relaxed drive. The skies are big and the views inspiring. You’ll find pretty villages with tea shops in the folds of the countryside or stop to explore old market towns like Driffield and Pocklington.
