Visiting Hull: UK City of Culture
Kingston-upon-Hull — “Hull” to its intimates — is the 10th-largest city in England and the largest city in the East Riding of Yorkshire in the northwest of England. Its fate has always been tied to the sea, through the rise and fall of specific industries. Today, with the fishing industry a shadow of its past self, visiting Hull reveals it as a hub for ferry traffic to the Netherlands and Belgium.
And now, it’s the UK City of Culture for 2017.
In 2013, the Northern Irish city of Derry-Londonderry was the first ever UK City of Culture. This year, Hull beat out Dundee, Leicester, and Swansea Bay for the title. The UK City of Culture designation is so precious that it is only given once every four years — unlike the European Capital of Culture program, running every year since 1985 (this year split between Aarhus and Paphos).
I recently visited Hull to get a sense of the town in the run-up to its year in the spotlight. There were smiling greeters at the train station passing out guides to the city and banners and posters throughout. There were schedules available as well, packed with events.
A huge chunk of the city center was undergoing serious refurbishment — and some of these renovations are still ongoing. The tourist office gave me a photocopy of artists’ versions of a handful of junctures — among these, Trinity Square and Queen Victoria Square look very attractive.
Looking ahead, a big concert and conference hall called Hull Venue is slated to open in 2018.
Visiting Hull: UK City of Culture schedule
The City of Culture year is divided into four conceptual seasons. January through March (“Made in Hull”) will focus on local ideas and art; April through June (“Roots and Routes”) will examine Hull’s place in the world; July through September (“Freedom”) will take on Hull’s place in the emancipation movement in the context of an ongoing fight for social justice; and October through December (“Tell the World”) will look to the future. Take a look at the full schedule for What’s On.
2017 is a great time to visit Hull. We’ve rounded up a few tips on how to get there, what free attractions to check out and the best affordable places to stay.
Getting there
Hull is about 2.5 hours by train from London’s King Cross Station. You can find fares starting at £15 each way on the Hull Trains website. You can also try Megabus for even cheaper fares but a longer journey at four to five hours.
Free museums
Beyond 2017’s City of Culture events, all of Hull’s museums are free. The city’s museums are impressive and wide-ranging in subject matter. Here are three of our favorites that all sit side-by-side:
Situated in the birthplace of William Wilberforce, this museum is where visitors can learn about the history of the transatlantic slave trade. It also focuses on the life of William Wilberforce who campaigned against the slave trade. There is also an exhibit on contemporary slavery.
The Streetlife Transportation Museum
This museum contains a recreation of a 1940s high street as well as galleries devoted to bicycles, cars, and the railway.
The Hull and East Riding Museum
Explore exhibits covering 235 million years of natural history from Ancient Rome to Medieval villages.
Cheap eats
The UK City of Culture website has a great guide to food and drink in Hull. You can find everything from quality pubs and burger shops to fine dining and vegetarian options.
The Whittington & Cat is a cozy hotel with a pub on the first floor. Photo: Booking.com
Budget hotels in Hull
Accommodations in Hull are surprisingly affordable, from four-star hotels in historic buildings to cozy B&Bs. Search over 100 hotels in Hull to make online reservations. Here are two choices that are great for budget travelers:
Just beyond the center of Hull, this budget hotel has chalet-style rooms and a European restaurant. It’s a short walk from the train station and basic double rooms begin around £47.
Located by the Railway Dock Marina, this cute hotel is also a pub. Eight cozy bedrooms are uniquely decorated that all come with flat-screen TVs and private bathrooms. Some rooms have views of the Hull waterfront (ask ahead when you book.) You can expect to pay around £65 per night for a double room.
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