There was a time when Hull had an undeserved reputation for being “the end of the line” and a place with little to attract visitors. But all that is in the past. The city jumped into the national spotlight when it became the UK City of Culture in 2017. And now it has a further accolade: National Geographic has included it in its list of The Best Places in the World to Travel to in 2026, describing it as “an English port town with a defiant spirit”. Here are 5 reasons to visit Hull…
Contents
1. A Rich Maritime Heritage
Hull’s maritime history is the one thing everyone knows about. Not just fishing and whaling, but big shipping companies too, bringing prosperity to the city in the 18th century. The industry has largely declined now, leaving only the passenger ferries and a few container vessels. But many of the old warehouses and docks buildings along the Humber Estuary have been renovated and converted into flats, bars and restaurants.
Today visitors can walk around the modern and bustling Marina, where the old Spurn Lightship has been turned into a museum, and follow the Fish Trail, a series of 41 pieces of pavement art that meander around the old town. And in the summer of 2026 the Hull Maritime Museum, housed in the ornate Victorian building that was once the headquarters of the Hull Dock Company, is due to reopen, providing an opportunity to learn more about Hull’s maritime heritage.
2. Buildings Old And New
It is undoubtedly true that bomb damage during the war did Hull no favours, leading to a flurry of rebuilding in functional but unattractive 20th century styles. But there is still lots of interesting architecture to be seen. Hull’s old town has historic houses and passageways, pubs and churches (including the 13th century Holy Trinity, rebranded as Hull Minster in 2017) . And there are grand civic buildings from the early 20th century, including the City Hall and the Ferens Art Gallery.
If you look closely, you will see remnants of old buildings wherever you go: old windows, stone carvings and ornate pillars sitting above modern offices and shop fronts. Look at the street names too: names such as Dagger Lane and Whitefriargate give clues to a bygone era. And don’t miss the Land of Green Ginger – once voted Best Street Name Ever by Classic FM’s Tim Lihoreau!
There are also welcome glimpses of modern regeneration. The Prince’s Quay Shopping Centre, opened in 1991, was built to an unusual design, standing on stilts in the old Prince’s Dock. And the ultra-modern St Stephen’s Centre, built on a brownfield site in the city centre, incorporates shops and restaurants as well as the Hull Truck Theatre.
3. Famous People Of Hull
For many people, culture in Hull is synonymous with the poet Philip Larkin. Although not a native of Hull (he was born in Coventry), he lived and worked there for thirty years and is closely associated with the city. In 2010 a “Larkin with Toads” trail was created with 40 glass fibre toads in and around the city (these were a reference to the poems Toads and Toads Revisited). Many of the toads were later auctioned off, but some can still be seen. More recently, a Larkin Trail has been created, linking together places in and around the city associated with the poet.
But there are other famous people associated with Hull. The poet Andrew Marvell was an MP for the city in the 17th century. And Hull is the birthplace of William Wilberforce, who was instrumental in the abolition of slavery, and of the aviator Amy Johnson. And adherents of popular culture will also cite Maureen Lipman, Tom Courtenay, The Housemartins… and many, many more.
4. Museums, Theatre And Festivals
The Museums Quarter is much more than just the Maritime Museum. You can discover archaeology at the Hull and East Riding Museum, explore the history of transport in the Streetlife Museum and learn about slavery in Wilberforce House. The Ferens Art Gallery has a regular programme of exhibitions: an exhibition featuring David Hockney (himself from East Yorkshire) led to a proposal for a new gallery devoted to Hockney’s works. And there is The Deep, a massive underwater aquarium (“the world’s only submarium”).
Apart from more conventional productions elswhere in the city, contemporary and experimental drama is on offer at the Hull Truck Theatre. And Hull has festivals too. Since 2007 the annual Freedom Festival has provided music, comedy and storytelling. Then there is the Jazz Festival and the Humber Mouth Literature Festival, and more planned for the future.
5. Gateway To East Yorkshire
Hull is also a great base for exploring East Yorkshire, with its quiet rolling countryside. Explore the peaceful Yorkshire Wolds, timeless villages and the historic market town of Beverley. You can also travel further afield to York and the Yorkshire Dales, or across the Humber Bridge to Lincoln.
