Here we are to tell you (and boast a little bit) about our hometown – the port city of Hull. The likelihood is most people from outside of Britain will not have a clue where Hull is or what it has to offer. So Hull, well technically it’s Kingston upon Hull, but we’ll let you call it Hull, we do. The name Hull actually comes from the River Hull. It runs through the city and divides it into East and West. It’s located in East Yorkshire which is “up Norff’ on the east coast of England. It’s home to not only us but also home to a number of other wonderful things.
Over the years we, the people of Hull, have constantly been told we live in the worst place in England. Hearing and reading people slate your hometown has been pretty hard to swallow. We’ll be honest someone slagging off Hull is like someone slagging off your mum (or mam in certain parts of the city). It’s alright for us to do it because it belongs to us, but the second you do it – you get our backs up and we won’t stand for it! Us Hullensians have a lot of civic pride!
We’ ve been told that Hull has the lowest secondary education levels, the highest rate of teenage pregnancy, it’s the least romantic place in the UK and even that it’s crap – yes crap! In 2003 it was actually crowned ‘The Crappest Town in the UK’, which is just plain rude. Comments based on facts or figures, we can swallow as they can be worked on (and they have been) but the public opinion ones really get our goat! How many people who voted in one of the polls have actually ever visited this great city? Probably very few, if any. Because if they’d actually visited, they’d know that Hull has a lot going for it. In fact, it easily gives other large English cities a run for their money.
Well, now the tides have turned (being a city with its roots based firmly in maritime heritage – that pun is very much intended). Hull was not only named one of the “Top 10 Cities: The Best Places to Visit in 2016” by Rough Guides but was also the UK City of Culture 2017 which saw regeneration and development across the city which in turn brought further investment and a lasting legacy, reaffirming that it is definitely a city on the up and up.
So what has Hull got that can tempt you to visit, study or even live here? Of course, and yes we are thoroughly biased, there are a million and one things. However, here are just a few tidbits to whet your appetite.
Giz a Croggy (Transport)
It’s pretty easy to get here. We have direct trains to and from London via Hull Trains throughout the day. This allows you to get to and from the capital in just over two and a half hours. Also, if you’re on the ball and book 12 weeks in advance your journey can cost you as little as £30 return. Which we’re sure you’ll agree is a bargain compared to other train routes in England.
It also has motorway links which make getting here by car pretty easy too. Plus the first thing you’ll see of the city is the magnificent single-span suspension bridge – the Humber Bridge. The bridge joins Hull’s neighbour, the town of Hessle to Barton upon Humber on the other side of the Humber Estuary.
There are also daily sailings to and from both Belgium and The Netherlands offered by P&O and from the beginning of October to the last day of March, each year P&O mini cruises are offered on a 2 for 1 basis. This means you can perhaps tick another country off your bucket list for as little as £45 each.
Hull itself doesn’t have an airport but the handy Humberside Airport is a mere 20 miles away just over the Humber Bridge. Offering flights to various places in Europe including Schipol Amsterdam. From there you can then hop on a plane to almost anywhere in the world.
Don’t Twag (Education)
As an alumna of the University of Hull, Vicky cannot recommend it enough. 4 years of fun (often a little bit too much fun) resulted in a 2:1 in Business Management and Marketing. Following A levels it was never in doubt which university Vicky would attend. Even though it would have been easy to live at home (and save a few quid in the process) she didn’t want to miss out on the social side of going to university. With lots of student accommodation close to the university – friends were made and good times were had.
The University of Hull’s campus is beautiful. That definitely makes going to lectures more appealing if you’ve had a heavy night the night before. It also has some great facilities, including the Brynmor Jones library. This is where Vicky spent many hours carrying out research for assignments and revising for exams. Top tip – if you want impressive views over the city, head up to the top floor. On a clear day, you can even see the Humber Bridge. With a wide range of undergraduate courses on offer, the University of Hull is a great choice. Also, don’t forget clearing is also an option if your place is not guaranteed in advance.
If it’s not a formal education you’re looking for, maybe it’s gin school you need. If so, head to Hotham’s award-winning Gin School & Distillery in Hepworth’s Arcade. Here you will learn everything you need to know about ‘mother’s ruin’ from a distilling expert. You also get the opportunity to try their signature gins. Together with creating and distilling your very own bottle of gin to take home and drink at your leisure.
Larkin About (Sport)
Hull is a great sporting city with a Championship (hopefully Premiership again one day) football team – Hull City, more commonly known as The Tigers. They play their games at the magnificent KC Stadium. Founded in 1904, over the years Hull City have risen and fallen through the leagues. Yet, for the most part, have a staunch following who have seen the club through thick and thin.
There are also two Super League Rugby League Teams in the city. Hull FC (West Hull) who also play at the KC Stadium, have the nickname the Airlie Birds and play in black and white. Together with Hull KR (East Hull) who play at the KCOM Craven Park, have the nickname the Robins and play in red and white. There’s nothing better than the atmosphere and friendly rivalry around the city on Derby days.
Boxing is a big thing in the city too. With professional boxers Tommy Coyle and Luke Campbell who won the Olympic Gold medal in the bantamweight division in London in 2012, both hailing from Hull. With a number of boxing clubs across the city, why not grab some gloves and jump in the ring too.
Kaylie, Spanish and Curlslur (Food)
Probably one of the best things to come out of Hull is the pattie – a what? I hear you cry! A pattie – the rare delicacy that you can only find in the fish and chip shops of Hull. It’s basically mashed potato with a few herbs mixed in. It’s shaped like a fish cake (but definitely NOT a fish cake), battered, deep-fried and served with chips. Yes we, the people of Hull, love to eat meals consisting of only potato!
Another thing you can only find in Hull and coincidentally also from a fish and chip shop is – chip spice! Tradition dictates that you put salt and vinegar on your chips in England. Well not in Hull, we coat them in chip spice (paprika salt). You have not tasted heaven until you have had one too many at 2 am and treat yourself to chips (cheesy chips if you’re feeling fancy) with a boatload of chip spice from a local takeaway! It’s so versatile. We use it to coat chicken before we cook it. Vicky’s cousin puts it on salad and we even know someone who put it on their Christmas dinner!
We, of course, have other restaurants not just chippies. Our personal recommendations are the lively cafe-bars of Newland Avenue and the surrounding area, together with Trinity indoor market which is a foodie’s dream come true and the great restaurants in the recently renovated Fruit Market area of the city. From Italian to Spanish and not forgetting Moroccan and Lebonese with a little bit of everything else in between, there is somewhere to tickle everyone’s tastebuds in Hull.
Owt Else? (Other Things)
So have we convinced you? We hope so. And that’s before we’ve even mentioned The Deep which is one of the UK’s most spectacular aquariums, with over 3,500 fish, stunning marine life and plenty of activities for all the family. There’s also the museum quarter which comprises of four museums – Hull & East Riding Museum, Arctic Corsair, Streetlife Museum and the Wilberforce Museum, all of which are free – great if you fancy doing something interesting without having to put your hand in your pocket. Hull also hosts various festivals and live events throughout the year, so if music and fun are your things, check out:
- Pride in Hull
- Freedom Festival
- Humber Street Sesh
And even though we love Hull, it’s also important to note that within 30 minutes one way you are submerged in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside and 30 minutes the other way you can paddle to your heart’s delight or build a sandcastle on one of the many beaches nearby.
So what’s stopping you? Come and see what Hull has to offer for yourself – visit, study, even live! Hull’s bid for the UK City of Culture 2017 was based on Hull ‘coming out of the shadows’ and after a lot of work, it looks like our hometown certainly is! If you’re planning a visit to Hull and need any more tips/advice or recommendations please don’t hesitate to get in touch and we’ll do my best to help. Although you might need to learn our language first (read this for a laugh) 🙂
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