Skip to main content

Why we love Hull

Fancy a pint in an ancient pub that hosted highway men or civil war instigators? How about coming face-to-face with creatures from the deep? Hull offers visitors a trip through time and worlds, always with a warm welcome. UK City of Culture in 2017, and most recently one of National Geographic’s ‘Best of the World 2026’ locations, get to know the friendly locals who are proud to show off their home. 

Expect hip hangouts, grub grabbing, and indie shopping at the trendy Fruit Market. Delve into its maritime past, and get your culture fix at the many galleries, museums and festivals. Take a guided walk, be it a blue fish tour (how many can you count?) or film and TV set-spotting along its star-studded streets. With the rolling hills of East Yorkshire a stone’s throw away, a visit to Hull and East Yorkshire offers something for all.

Things to do in Hull

Press Escape while tabbing through the list to skip to the next section

This district’s old-school charm has made it a favourite of filmmakers.

Visit Hull’s Old Town

Photo by: Visit Hull & East Yorkshire/Tom Arran

Location: Kingston upon Hull, England

View through a window onto a cobblestone street with two people walking, surrounded by historic brick and pastel buildings.
Hull’s Old Town

Come face-to-face with seven species of shark and spot the cute Gentoo penguins who call The Deep home.

Enjoy some fishy fun at The Deep

Photo by: Visit Hull & East Yorkshire/Tom Arran

Location: Kingston upon Hull, England

A girl stands looking at a tank with jellyfish
The Deep

Looking for a pitstop? Grab a bite, drink and shop beneath the arches of this thriving Victorian arcade, packed with independent stores.

Shop at Paragon Arcade’s indie stores

Photo by: Visit Hull & East Yorkshire/Tom Arran

Location: Kingston upon Hull, England

Two men sit with take away drinks in front of a shop
Paragon Arcade

A vibrant hub on the fringes of Hull Marina, in the bustling Cultural Quarter, you’ll find indie shops, art, culture, and foodie hotspots galore.

Explore the Fruit Market and Humber Street

Photo by: Visit Hull & East Yorkshire/Tom Arran

Location: Kingston upon Hull, England

A man and a woman walk along a shopping street with bags
Fruit Market and Humber street

Can you keep count of the 180 steps to the top of Hull Minster on the Tower Tour? See the city from a new perspective and uncover 700 years of history.

Take a tour of Hull Minster

Photo by: VisitBritain/The TravelBook

Location: Kingston upon Hull, England

Looking up inside to the intricate ornate ceiling of an old church.
Hull Minster

Situated between Hull and York, on the edge of the Yorkshire Wolds, these serene gardens and lakes are home to waterlilies, carp, a wide variety of birds – and homemade cakes in the cafe.

Find peace at Burnby Hall Gardens

Photo by: Burnby Hall Gardens & Museum/Peter Rogers

Location: Pocklington, England

Large pond with water lilies, surrounded by lush trees, and a white building in the background under a clear blue sky.
Burnby Hall Gardens

Poised with a map, embark on a self-guided adventure to uncover Hull’s rich heritage of over 30 blue plaques highlighting significance hotspots in the city.

Follow the Blue Plaque Trail

Photo by: Visit Hull & East Yorkshire/Tom Arran

Location: Kingston upon Hull, England

Two people walking a small dog along a paved waterfront with a historic ship and residential buildings in the background.
Blue Plaque Trail

Taste the hops of the city on a self-guided trail round the pubs. Swing (or sway) by some of Hull’s oldest pubs, microbreweries with local ales, and lively venues.

Follow the Ale Trail

Photo by: VisitBritain/The TravelBook

Location: Kingston upon Hull, England

Main shopping street of a cute English Town
Ale Trail

With over 30 years of experience guiding tours around Hull, these tours will give you a feel for the city’s vibrant sights and hidden spots – and point you in the direction of the best watering holes.

Embark on a guided walking tour

Photo by: VisitBritain/Robin Creative Media

Location: Kingston upon Hull, England

Aerial view of an expansive cityscape with a park and high-rise buildings
Tour Hull

Pack a flask and head into nature as you discover vibrant market towns, ancient villages and wildlife along this 79-mile (127 km) route that starts west of Hull, at Hessle, and ends in Filey.

Explore the Yorkshire Wolds Way

Photo by: VHEY/Jack Gray Photography

Location: Huggate, England

Countryside path with wooden gate, direction signs for Yorkshire Wolds Way, grassy hills, and scattered trees in soft sunlight.
Yorkshire Wolds Way

This district’s old-school charm has made it a favourite of filmmakers.

Visit Hull’s Old Town

Photo by: Visit Hull & East Yorkshire/Tom Arran

Location: Kingston upon Hull, England

View through a window onto a cobblestone street with two people walking, surrounded by historic brick and pastel buildings.
Hull’s Old Town

Come face-to-face with seven species of shark and spot the cute Gentoo penguins who call The Deep home.

Enjoy some fishy fun at The Deep

Photo by: Visit Hull & East Yorkshire/Tom Arran

Location: Kingston upon Hull, England

A girl stands looking at a tank with jellyfish
The Deep

Looking for a pitstop? Grab a bite, drink and shop beneath the arches of this thriving Victorian arcade, packed with independent stores.

Shop at Paragon Arcade’s indie stores

Photo by: Visit Hull & East Yorkshire/Tom Arran

Location: Kingston upon Hull, England

Two men sit with take away drinks in front of a shop
Paragon Arcade

A vibrant hub on the fringes of Hull Marina, in the bustling Cultural Quarter, you’ll find indie shops, art, culture, and foodie hotspots galore.

Explore the Fruit Market and Humber Street

Photo by: Visit Hull & East Yorkshire/Tom Arran

Location: Kingston upon Hull, England

A man and a woman walk along a shopping street with bags
Fruit Market and Humber street

Can you keep count of the 180 steps to the top of Hull Minster on the Tower Tour? See the city from a new perspective and uncover 700 years of history.

Take a tour of Hull Minster

Photo by: VisitBritain/The TravelBook

Location: Kingston upon Hull, England

Looking up inside to the intricate ornate ceiling of an old church.
Hull Minster

Situated between Hull and York, on the edge of the Yorkshire Wolds, these serene gardens and lakes are home to waterlilies, carp, a wide variety of birds – and homemade cakes in the cafe.

Find peace at Burnby Hall Gardens

Photo by: Burnby Hall Gardens & Museum/Peter Rogers

Location: Pocklington, England

Large pond with water lilies, surrounded by lush trees, and a white building in the background under a clear blue sky.
Burnby Hall Gardens

Poised with a map, embark on a self-guided adventure to uncover Hull’s rich heritage of over 30 blue plaques highlighting significance hotspots in the city.

Follow the Blue Plaque Trail

Photo by: Visit Hull & East Yorkshire/Tom Arran

Location: Kingston upon Hull, England

Two people walking a small dog along a paved waterfront with a historic ship and residential buildings in the background.
Blue Plaque Trail

Taste the hops of the city on a self-guided trail round the pubs. Swing (or sway) by some of Hull’s oldest pubs, microbreweries with local ales, and lively venues.

Follow the Ale Trail

Photo by: VisitBritain/The TravelBook

Location: Kingston upon Hull, England

Main shopping street of a cute English Town
Ale Trail

With over 30 years of experience guiding tours around Hull, these tours will give you a feel for the city’s vibrant sights and hidden spots – and point you in the direction of the best watering holes.

Embark on a guided walking tour

Photo by: VisitBritain/Robin Creative Media

Location: Kingston upon Hull, England

Aerial view of an expansive cityscape with a park and high-rise buildings
Tour Hull

Pack a flask and head into nature as you discover vibrant market towns, ancient villages and wildlife along this 79-mile (127 km) route that starts west of Hull, at Hessle, and ends in Filey.

Explore the Yorkshire Wolds Way

Photo by: VHEY/Jack Gray Photography

Location: Huggate, England

Countryside path with wooden gate, direction signs for Yorkshire Wolds Way, grassy hills, and scattered trees in soft sunlight.
Yorkshire Wolds Way

Places to stay in Hull

City Centre 

Hull’s city centre is alive with cultural experiences, top sightseeing and plenty of options for an overnight stay. Find well-known hotel brands alongside serviced apartments and value for money options. 

Hull Waterside and Marina 

Located just south of the city centre, the Waterside and Marina is an oasis in Hull. Uncover its 200 years of history and stay on the edge of the water, with bustling restaurants and bars only a stone’s throw away. 

East Yorkshire 

Escape out into the countryside with a stay in East Yorkshire. From luxurious lodges with hot tubs, to holiday parks perfect for the family, and grand hotels, there’s something for everyone in this picturesque part of the county. 

Explore nearby

  • A hotbed for shopping and the arts, you’ll find lots to explore in Leeds.

    Photo by: VisitBritain/Thomas Heaton

    Location: Harewood, England

    A formal garden with statues and low hedges in front of a stately house
  • Rugged yet beautiful, wild yet welcoming – the North York Moors National Park is full of surprises.

    Photo by: VisitBritain/Sam Barker

    Location: Whitby, England

    Man holding a lobster trap on a pier in the sunshine
  • Small and mighty York is the medieval walled city that really packs a punch.

    Photo by: VisitBritain/Sam Barker

    Location: York, England

    Woman walking through a narrow historic street in a city
  • Proof that perfection can’t be rushed, the Yorkshire Dales was millions of years in the making.

    Photo by: VisitBritain/Matt Cant

    Location: Muker, England

    Cyclist riding on road through green dales
  • Big and small-screen gems keep on coming in Yorkshire and the Humber, star of “Wuthering Heights”.

    Photo by: Visit North Yorkshire / Tom Arber

    Location: Whitby, England

    A man and woman walking towards a heritage Abbey building
  • From accessible adventures across the Yorkshire Coast and east Yorkshire to the North York Moors' historic sites, you’ll find a wealth of experiences in Yorkshire.

    Photo by: VisitBritain/Purple Goat/Isobel Greenhalgh

    Location: Low Dalby, England

    A woman using a hand bike with staff from the cycle hub

Getting to Hull

Hull is served by Humberside Airport which connects to destinations such as Amsterdam, Finland, Scotland and southern England. You can arrange transport from the airport direct to Hull. From London, you can travel to Hull by train from London King’s Cross to Hull Station. Journey times average around 3 hours 15 minutes, other direct trains to Hull from nearby cities include Leeds, Manchester and York. There are daily crossings between Hull and Rotterdam with P&O Ferries, sailing time takes around 12 hours. 

  • By bike

    All across the city and East Yorkshire you can find cycle routes. Download Hull cycle maps and see Cycle Hull for bike hire information. Follow the Yorkshire Wolds Cycle Route which begins in Beverly, located north of the city. 

  • By foot

    The city is mainly flat which makes it a great area to explore on foot. Opt to follow one or more of its 12 Hull walking routes that take you through urban and greener spaces. 

  • By bus

    When arriving by car, the Park & Ride is a convenient and easy way to get into the city. There are regular bus services run by East Yorkshire Buses that cover Hull city centre, East Yorkshire and options to go to Scarborough, Bridlington and York. 

Want to know more?

Head to Visit Hull for insider tips from those in the know.

  • Hull, known officially as Kingston upon Hull, is a city located in the county of East Riding of Yorkshire. It’s approximately an hour’s train journey from the city of York and is bordered by the Humber Estuary. 

  • Hull is well known for its maritime heritage and is home to The Deep, an award-winning aquarium which houses over 5,000 animals. It also has plenty of history in its cobbled Old Town which offers several museums, and a famous Fish Trail which features a total of 41 fish for walkers to spot. Hull is also notable for its unique cream-coloured telephone boxes which add to the location’s character.

  • Hull Pride typically takes place in late July and is scheduled to take place on Saturday 25 July in 2026. The occasion and parade is an opportunity to celebrate individuality and the LGBTQIA+ community. This year marks the event’s 25th anniversary in Hull.

  • The Deep aquarium is close to Hull’s main train station located only approximately a 20-minute walk away. The key attraction offers plenty to keep families entertained, from penguins to stingrays. It also features Europe’s deepest underwater viewing tunnel as well as a Bubble Lift which allows guests to explore their 10-metre deep Endless Ocean tank.