In the northeast of England, UK, lies a coastal town called Kingston upon Hull. The town was founded in the late 12th century by the monks of Meaux Abbey. It was then known simply as Hull, but during the reign of King Edward I in the late 13th century, it was renamed as Kings-town upon Hull. It is situated upon the River Hull; hence the town’s name. The city was targeted by the Germans during World War II and extensive bombings occurred causing massive destruction. Despite it’s past, Kingston upon Hull is now a prosperous town with quite a number of tourist attractions. We’ve listed the top 10 best things to do here especially for you.
1. Hull's Old Town
Transport yourself into the time before the 21st century and discover the many hidden gems of the past. Hull’s Old Town is a place rich in architecture from bygone eras such as the Edwardian buildings and the Gregorian buildings. Immerse yourself in history as you walk through the cobblestone roads and drop by the Ye Olde White Hart and discover the location where the English Civil War was said to be plotted. You can also find the house of the famous William Wilberforce, a famous Englishman who was a leader of the movement to halt the slave trade.
Hull's Old Town
Address: 25 High St, Hull HU1 1PS, UK
Website: Hull’s Old Town
2. The Humber Bridge
The impressive Humber Bridge is one of the longest single-span suspension bridges in the world. Officially opened in 1981 by Queen Elizabeth II, the Humber Bridge connects the East Riding of Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire and hosts the traffic from both regions since then. The Humber Bridge Fun Run and the Humber Bridge Half Marathon are hosted on the bridge every year, attracting participants and crowds from many different countries. The view from the bridge is beautiful and if you’re an avid fan of walking or cycling, you can cross the bridge on foot or cycle through it for a small fee.
The Humber Bridge
Address: Humber Bridge, Hessle HU13, UK
Website: The Humber Bridge
3. Streetlife Museum of Transport
Ever wondered what the public transport was like before you were born? Step into the Streetlife Museum and discover 200 years worth of public transport in Hull. As you step into the 1940s high street, you’ll be greeted with many different public transport vehicles which will put you in awe. Snap loads of pictures when you’re here because you can’t find some of the vehicles anywhere else in the world. The museum has 5 informative galleries and the admission is absolutely free.
Streetlife Museum of Transport
Address: High St, Hull HU1 1PS, UK
Website: Streetlife Museum of Transport
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4. Burton Constable Hall
The Burton Constable Hall has been the home of the Constable family for over 700 years. Its 18th and 19th century interiors are uniquely blended to give a sense of majestic beauty to those who gaze upon it. The 121 hectare (300 acres) estate is a great place to go to with so many things to enjoy and discover. Among its attractions, there is a huge skeleton of a sperm whale on display, which was also mentioned in the famous novel Moby Dick. Visit the interior of the hall and marvel at the gigantic splendor of this place as it encapsulates you with fascinating paintings, fine furniture and over 30 rooms of exquisite beauty. You can also hang out at the huge park and have a picnic while relaxing to its tranquil atmosphere.
Burton Constable Hall
Address: Burton Constable, Skirlaugh, Hull HU11 4LN, UK
Website: Burton Constable Hall
5. Hull & East Riding Museum
With over 235 million years of history in this museum, it is a place filled with ancient artifacts and wonders beyond our time. Come face to face with an ancient woolly mammoth and discover the ancient 2,000 year old boats on display here. The museum is a feat for everyone and there are plenty of things to do and see. They also have ancient dinosaur bones and even a really cool Iron Age sword. The best part of it all, like most of the museums in Hull, the admission is completely free.
Hull & East Riding Museum
Address: 36 High St, Hull HU1 1NQ, UK
Website: Hull & East Riding Museum
6. Hull Minster
The Hull Minster was formerly known as the Holy Trinity Church up until mid May 2017. It is the biggest parish church in England and dates back to the early 14th century. The minster is widely considered to have one of the best medieval brick-work in England and is now listed as a Grade I building. The famous William Wilberforce – mentioned earlier in the article – was baptised in this very place. The impressive medieval architecture can still be seen on the exterior and the interior of the minster. Currently, the minster is being reordered as a public venue for the community for events such as performances and banquets.
Hull Minster
Address: Market Pl, Hull HU1 1RR, UK
Website: Hull Minster
7. The Deep
Dubbed as “the world’s first submarium”, The Deep is in in fact a gigantic public aquarium situated in a beautiful building which is now one of the landmarks of Hull. There are literally thousands of sea creatures ranging from sharks, jellyfish, turtles, frogs, penguins, and so many other animals. If you’re lucky enough, you can even see the divers feeding the animals during their feeding times. The aquarium was voted the best family place to visit in Hull in 2013.
The Deep
Address: Tower St, Hull HU1 4DP, UK
Website: The Deep
8. Queens Gardens
The Queens Gardens was formerly a dock which was turned into a sequence of gardens complete with fountains and such. It is located right in the centre of Kingston upon Hall. You can drop by this place and have a break from your sightseeing activities or simply enjoy the flowers in the gardens. Enjoy the walk down the avenue of trees and have a picnic by the lawn. This is a great place for you to simply chill. The Queens Gardens hosts a variety of popular events in Hull such as the YUM Festival and Freedom Festival.
Queens Gardens
Address: Queens Gardens, Goddard Ave, Hull HU5 2AY, UK
Website: Queens Gardens
9. Ferens Art Gallery
Named after its donor Thomas Ferens, the Ferens Art Gallery is the place to go for the artsy farsty fanatics. There are a multitude of permanent collections and visiting exhibitions in the gallery. The brilliant art work of famous painters, such as Lorenzetti, Frans Hals, Antonio Canaletto, and many more, can be found inside the gallery. Guided tours are also available for you to walk through the exhibitions and learn more about them. Afterwards, you can enjoy a cuppa at the gallery’s popular cafe, Venue Hall.
Ferens Art Gallery
Address: Queen Victoria Square, Carr Ln, Hull HU1 3RA, UK
Website: Ferens Art Gallery
10. Hull Marina
Drop by the the Hull Marina and feast your eyes on the pleasure boats docked in this area. The dock was opened in 1983, which replaces the Railway and Humber Docks. There are plenty of cafes, restaurants, and bars around the corner for you to visit and enjoy the view on a summer’s day. Along the corner, you can also visit the Spurn Lightship – a ship used as a lighthouse. The Spurn Lightship was moved to the Hull Marina and became a museum in 1987.
Hull Marina
Address: Warehouse 13, Kingston St, Hull HU1 2DQ, UK
Website: Hull Marina
Drop down upon Hull
Kingston upon Hull and the area around it is covered with so many things to do. You can literally spend days sightseeing and admiring the grounds of this magnificent town. To top it off, a lot of the museums are free and there are loads of places to be explored. Now all you have to do is pack your bags, book a ticket and zoom off to the wonders of Kingston upon Hull.
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