Out & About in Hull

For many visitors, Hull is an undiscovered gem on the East coast of England. During its history, it has been a market town, military supply port and fishing and whaling centre. With a residential population of 257,000, it was in its time the busiest port in Europe.

One of its most famous sons was William Wilberforce, the MP for Hull who, in the eighteenth century played a prominent role in the abolition of slavery in Britain. It has been the base for one of Great Britain's greatest poets, Philip Larkin and was also the home of Amy Johnson, the first person to fly a solo aircraft from England to Australia.

In recent years, Hull has seen a major regeneration of the city, including a popular Marina. Travelling into the city along the M62, by car or train, you cannot fail to be impressed by the majesty of the Humber Bridge, which connects the North and South banks of the Humber. Over the Humber Bridge; Lincoln is only forty six miles away. Hull is also less than forty miles away from the historic city of York, and sixty miles to Leeds. The roll on roll on ferry allows excellent access to continental Europe via Rotterdam and Zeebrugge.

Shopping

Hull is a university town and it is said that more people stay on in Hull after graduation than any other town in the United Kingdom. The city has undergone a transformation in recent years following substantial investment following the decline of the fishing industry. It now boasts two major shopping developments in Princes Quay and St. Stephens, with a further two in development. Several of the main roads also boast good independent shops.

Arts and Entertainment

One of the major attractions in Hull in recent years is the Deep, the world's first submarium. The award winning design of the Deep attracts many visitors each year, attracted by its glass lift which allows travel below water to view marine life. The Ferens Art Gallery also attracts many visitors each year. It houses a number of European Old Masters, as well as paintings by contemporary British artists. Opposite the Ferens Art Gallery is the Maritime Museum which illustrates the city's fishing and whaling history. In the old town, there is the museum quarter which houses Wilberforce House and the Streetlife and Transport Museum.

Hull has well established theatres, such as the New Theatre and the world renowned Hull Truck Theatre which has recently moved to a new 440 seat theatre adjoining the St Stephen's Shopping Centre. Hull Truck is an independent theatre which regularly features new plays by playwright John Godber. Several festivals take place during the course of the year which include, the Humber Mouth Literary Festival and the Sea Fever Festival.

Many people travel into the city from other major cities for its nightlife. Hull has excellent bars and clubs including the legendary Spiders Club which has hosted several generations of club goers. There are several areas in the city centre including the Old Town which are lively places with plenty of bars and several excellent clubs. The Avenues area of Hull near the University, and the nearby Beverley Road area all have excellent reputations for retaurants and bars, and its day long cafe culture. The city centre also has a good choice of restaurants.

Music plays a large part in the local community and probably the best known venue is the Adelphi, which has seen Oasis, the Stone Roses, Green Day and Radiohead amongst its previous performers. The Ice Arena and City Hall are also popular venues with a large number of pubs and clubs also hosting music events. The Springhead in Anlaby; Sharkeys in George Street and Ringside on Beverley Road, are all popular venues to hear live music.

Hotels and Travel

Hull is a sporting city with a Premiership team and two premiership rugby clubs and a professional Ice Hockey team. This attracts many people into the area. There are a number of excellent hotels, including the Royal Hotel in the city centre; the Ramada Hotel in Willerby, the Holiday Inn, which is linked to the St. Stephens' Shopping Centre, and the Campanile Hotel which is close to the city centre.

The railway station is in the city centre, next to the Royal Hotel. Hull has a park and ride system, but the bus station adjoins the train station as part of a new transport centre. Buses operate regularly throughout the day, but there are also a number of car parks in and around the city centre.

Hull has set its sights on being a top ten city and with the regeneration in the area; it may well already be there.