In Kingston Upon Hull, a remarkable thread of culture stretches from the sea to art and the city’s history. The Hull Maritime Museum tells the story of Hull’s 800-year relationship with the sea; alongside it, museums, galleries and historic sites reveal other facets of the city. Those who enjoy making connections will find a range of ways to explore: through maritime collections, the history of transport, or the people and events that have shaped Hull.
Maritime History and Art
The collections of the Hull Maritime Museum are officially recognised as being of national importance. At the Ferens Art Gallery, the maritime theme takes a different form: its maritime art collection conveys the connection between the local community and the world across the water. At the same time, the gallery’s art spans the Middle Ages to the present day. This makes it possible to pair a look at maritime motifs with a broad panorama of art through the ages.
The Spurn Lightship, a floating museum in Hull Marina and part of the National Historic Fleet, tells another chapter of maritime history. Explanations and exhibitions tell its full story. Hull Minster also offers a look far back into history: construction began in 1285, and the Minster’s history stretches back more than 700 years. A seasonally operated tower tour leads to the highest publicly accessible point in Kingston Upon Hull. As opening arrangements may vary by season, it is best to check tour availability before your visit.
City History in Galleries and Archives
Wilberforce House was the birthplace of William Wilberforce. Eight galleries explore the history of the transatlantic slave trade and its consequences. The adjoining Georgian galleries display arts and crafts from Hull and the East Riding, including silverware, clocks and furniture. The Hull and East Riding Museum of Archaeology extends the timeline far back into prehistory: its exhibitions trace the region’s natural and human history from the Triassic period to the English Civil War. The exhibits include a life-size woolly mammoth.
Changes in everyday life are brought to life too: the transport galleries at the Streetlife Museum trace the history of human transport, from horse-drawn carriages and early bicycles to the development of the automobile. There is also a covered street depicting Hull in the 1940s. Those interested in the history of the city and its residents will find a collection of archives brought together at the Hull History Centre. Free exhibitions highlight these collections; the exhibition programme may change.
Paths, Parks and Outdoor Discoveries
For exploring on foot, Hull has an established network of scenic and urban walking trails for people of all ages and with different abilities. Two themed trails offer their own distinctive focus: the Fish Trail invites you to seek out 41 fish in the city centre. The Ale Trail passes the George Hotel, Hull’s oldest surviving licensed pub. Each trail gives your exploration a different focus, without requiring a set itinerary.
Green spaces also reveal different sides of the city. Queen’s Gardens occupies the site of the former Queen’s Dock and connects the Hull Maritime Museum with the North End Shipyard. At East Park, Ferens Boating Lake provides a habitat for wildlife as well as opportunities for boating and fishing. The model boat pond there is said to be the only sailing facility of its kind in northern England. Noddle Hill Nature Reserve has walking trails and a scenic fishing lake; it also offers relaxed family walks throughout the year.
Culture and Visitor Information
Overlooking the Humber Estuary, The Deep is home to an aquarium in Hull that offers formal and informal educational programmes about conservation. Hull Truck Theatre produces new plays, family performances and accessible theatre offerings; individual productions change. The theatre and aquarium thus complement the historic collections with further themes and ways to explore.
Specific directions can be useful for finding your way around: the Hull History Centre is a ten-minute walk from Paragon Interchange. The Hull Museums sites are within walking distance of one another, and admission is free at all sites. You can put together museum visits according to your own interests, while the different focus of each venue shapes what you see.
Discover more destinations: Sutton-On-Hull, South Yorkshire, Leeds, Doncaster, West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, York, Bradford.
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