Kingston upon Hull (usually abbreviated to 'Hull') is on the Humber Estuary and bordered by the rural county of East Yorkshire. The low-lying city stands on both sides of the River Hull at its confluence with the Humber estuary.
The town was established in the 12th century as Wyke upon Hull by the monks of Meaux Abbey. The port's location, 25 miles from the North Sea, was chosen because it gave access to navigable rivers and a prosperous hinterland. Edward I (1272 - 1307) acquired the town from the abbey to provide a secure port for his armies who were fighting the Scots. The town received a royal charter in 1299 and was renamed 'Kings town upon Hull'.
Hull became the foremost port on the east coast of England, exporting wool and woollen cloth and importing wine. The old harbour in Hull was once the focus of the town's considerable trading interests. The narrow, winding thoroughfares along the river were lined with grand merchants' houses.
From medieval times until the 19th century the most important merchant families lived over their counting houses and near their wharves. The houses were splendid examples of the taste of their time and richly displayed the skills of the plasterer and woodcarver. Maister House on the High Street is one of the few buildings surviving from this period. The first commercial dock was built on the River Humber in 1770 and this heralded the gradual decline of the Hull's old harbour. Many of the merchants' houses have disappeared in the last eighty years.
Over the centuries Hull has served as a market town, military staging post, trading centre, fishing and whaling centre and industrial city.
The city was at its most prosperous just before World War I. Much of the city centre was destroyed during World War II, when Hull was the most severely bombed city in the country, apart from London. At the end of the conflict Hull suffered considerable industrial decline but recently the city has enjoyed regeneration and renewal.
Museum Quarter
The celebrated Museum Quarter is located around the High Street in the Old Town area. The museums located here are Wilberforce House Museum, the Hull and East Riding Museum, Streetlife Museum of Transport and the Arctic Corsair. All the museums in the Museum Quarter have free admission.
Ferens Art Gallery Queen Victoria Square, Hull HU1 3RA
Opened in 1927, and restored and extended in 1991, this award-winning gallery displays a variety of works ranging from medieval times to the present day. Highlights include works by Frans Hals, Antonio Canaletto, Stanley Spencer and David Hockney. Ferens Art Gallery information
Burton Constable Hall Skirlaugh, Hull HU11 4LN
The ancestral home of the Constable family, is an Elizabethan house set in parkland. Rooms to visit, 300 acres of parkland by Capability Brown, formal garden, picnic tables and walks by the lakes and park. Burton Constable Hall information
Maritime Museum Queen Victoria Square, Hull HU1 3DX
Located in the impressive former Dock Offices, this museum charts the seafaring history of Hull. Exhibits date back to the Bronze Age but the museum concentrates on the maritime history of Hull from the 19th century onwards. Maritime Museum information
Hull and East Riding Museum 36 High Street, Hull HU1 1NQ
Highlights of the Hull and East Riding Museum include dinosaur bones discovered in the East Riding and an Iron Age log boat known as the Hasholme Boat. There is also a reconstructed Iron Age village and displays on Hull in Roman, Anglo Saxon and Medieval Hull and East Riding Museum information
The Deep Sammys Point, Hull HU1 4DP
The Deep stands at the confluence of the River Hull and Humber estuary. Boasting over 3,500 fishes including 40 sharks, the underwater museum tells the story of the oceans using a mixture of hands-on exhibits, audio-visual presentations and living exhibit The Deep information
Humber Bridge Humber Bridge Board, Ferriby Road, Hessle, Hull HU13 OJG
The magnificent Humber Bridge, spanning the Humber Estuary, is the 5th longest suspension bridge in the world. Its main cable contains 43,000 miles of steel wire, long enough to stretch round the world one and a half times.The Humber Bridge Tourist Infor Humber Bridge information
Humber Bridge Country Park Off A164/A63, Hessle, Hull
A 50 acre Local Nature Reserve set on the north bank of the Humber Estuary close to the Hessle Foreshore. The tree-covered terraces of an old chalk quarry provide spectacular views of the estuary and the towering Humber Bridge. Humber Bridge Country Park information
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65 Paragon Street, Hull Hull HU1 3JP MAP Offering free Wi-Fi and an elegant restaurant, The Portland Hotel is located in Hull’s lively city centre, next to Hull City Hall and within the main business, retail and leisure area of the city. All bedrooms and suites are equipped with Sky TV, DVD p... More Information and Book ... |
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Tower Street, Citadel Way Hull HU9 1TQ MAP This 7th-floor hotel has fantastic views of Hull and the estuary, and is a 2-minute walk from The Deep aquarium. Enjoy comfy beds and a family-friendly Brewers Fayre restaurant. Premier Inn Hull City Centre offers free parking - a height restriction of 2... More Information and Book ... |
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Ferriby Road, Hessle Hull HU13 0JA MAP Offering good value accommodation, Premier Inn Hull West is 6 miles from Hull's centre, with the Princes Quay Shopping Centre and Ferriby Train Station. Some of the comfortable rooms at Premier Inn can accommodate 2 adults and 2 children (under 16 years)... More Information and Book ... |
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6 Coltman Street Hull HU3 2SG MAP Ideally situated, The Vale is 1 mile from Hull's vibrant city centre, a short walk from the Kingston Communications Super Stadium and Hull Paragon Train Station. The comfortable rooms are well furnished, with satellite TV and free Wi-Fi internet access. ... More Information and Book ... |
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Rowley Road, Little Weighton, East Riding of Yorkshire Hull HU20 3XR MAP This historically listed former rectory has its own helicopter landing pad, and dates back to the 17th century. It has a fine food restaurant serving a table d'hôte menu, and is a mile from Little Weighton. Rooms at Rowley Manor benefit from 24-hour roo... More Information and Book ... |
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Hedon Road Hull HU91NU MAP Hotel Farelli offers an award-winning restaurant, and en suite bedrooms with free Wi-Fi. Hull city centre is just 1.5 miles away, and there is free ample secure parking. The rooms at Farelli Hotel have tea/coffee facilities, TVs and hairdryers. Hotel Fa... More Information and Book ... |
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Hedon near Hull HU12 8SX MAP Owl Cottage is a detached, brick built barn conversion cottage in the hamlet of Preston near to Hedon in the East Riding of Yorkshire. Sleeps: 6 Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Changeover Day: Sat Price Guide: £260 - £588 a week.... More Information and Book ... |
Hull , for the historic centre, shopping , theater and more. Or off to the coast to visit Hornsea and Bridlington
Towns Near Hull To Visit - straight line distance:
Cottingham Tourist Information (4.16 miles) Beverley Tourist Information (7.80 miles) Hornsea Tourist Information (13.23 miles) Market Weighton Tourist Information (15.75 miles)