Things to Do in Hull: The Complete Guide to Days Out

Hull is a city that has always punched above its weight. A place with a fierce independent streak, a rich maritime heritage, and a cultural scene that was supercharged by its year as UK City of Culture in 2017. Yet Hull remains one of the most underrated cities in England, which means visitors get the benefit of world-class attractions without the crowds and prices of bigger cities. Whether you are planning Hull days out with the family, looking for free things to do in Hull, or exploring the city for the first time, this guide covers everything worth seeing and doing.

The Deep: Hull's Iconic Aquarium

No guide to Hull attractions would be complete without The Deep. This striking building on the eastern bank of the River Hull, where it meets the Humber Estuary, is one of the most impressive aquariums in Europe. It holds over 3,500 fish and marine animals, including sharks, rays, penguins, and a colony of green sawfish that are part of a global conservation breeding programme.

The exhibits take you through the story of the world's oceans, from prehistoric seas to the deepest trenches. The main tank is ten metres deep and holds 2.5 million litres of water — standing in the underwater viewing tunnel as sharks glide overhead is an unforgettable experience.

Practical Details for The Deep

The Deep is open daily from 10am. Advance booking online is cheaper than paying on the door. Allow at least two to three hours for a visit, more if you have young children who want to linger at every tank. There is a cafe with views over the estuary, and a gift shop. The building itself, designed by Sir Terry Farrell, is worth seeing from the outside even if you do not go in.

Getting there: The Deep is a 15-minute walk from Hull city centre, across the tidal barrier footbridge. There is a pay and display car park on site.

Hull Museums Quarter: World-Class and Completely Free

Hull's museum quarter is one of the finest collections of free museums in the north of England. Clustered around the Old Town, these museums offer everything from fine art to social history, and every single one is free to enter. For anyone looking for free things to do in Hull, this is the place to start.

Ferens Art Gallery

Reopened after a major refurbishment for City of Culture, the Ferens Art Gallery houses an outstanding collection spanning from medieval religious paintings to contemporary works. The collection includes pieces by Frans Hals, Antonio Canaletto, David Hockney, and the gallery's most famous resident — a stunning portrait by Pietro Lorenzetti. The gallery also hosts regular temporary exhibitions that draw visitors from across the country.

The Ferens sits in Queen Victoria Square, Hull's main civic space, right in the heart of the city centre. It is an essential stop on any Hull city centre guide.

Streetlife Museum of Transport

The Streetlife Museum on High Street brings transport history to life with full-size recreations of Victorian streets, a 1940s wartime scene, and a stunning collection of vintage vehicles, bicycles, and carriages. Children love climbing aboard the old carriages and exploring the street scenes. It is one of the best family-friendly attractions in Hull and completely free.

Hull and East Riding Museum

Next door to the Streetlife Museum, the Hull and East Riding Museum covers the region's history from the Iron Age to the Roman period and beyond. The centrepiece is a full-size reconstruction of an Iron Age settlement and the Hasholme Boat — a remarkably preserved Iron Age logboat found in the marshes near Holme-on-Spalding-Moor. The Roman mosaics, discovered beneath Hull's streets, are exquisite.

Wilberforce House Museum

The birthplace of William Wilberforce, the MP who led the campaign to abolish the slave trade, is now a museum dedicated to his life and the wider story of slavery and abolition. The Georgian townhouse itself is beautiful, and the exhibits are moving and thought-provoking. It is a powerful, important place that reminds visitors of Hull's role in one of history's greatest social justice campaigns.

Arctic Corsair

Moored near the Museums Quarter, the Arctic Corsair is the last surviving sidewinder trawler from Hull's distant-water fishing fleet. Guided tours take you through the cramped quarters where the crew lived and worked during weeks-long voyages to the Arctic fishing grounds in some of the most dangerous conditions imaginable. The Arctic Corsair tells the story of the Triple Trawler Tragedy of 1968, which killed 58 men and changed the fishing industry forever.

Hull Old Town: History at Every Turn

Hull's Old Town is the historic heart of the city, a compact area of narrow lanes, medieval street patterns, and buildings spanning several centuries. A walk through the Old Town is one of the best free things to do in Hull.

Start at the Holy Trinity Church — one of the largest parish churches in England, with a stunning medieval interior. Walk down the cobbled streets of the Land of Green Ginger (yes, that really is its name), past the timber-framed Old White Harte pub where, legend has it, the decision was made to refuse entry to King Charles I in 1642, helping to spark the English Civil War.

Continue to Scale Lane, where the Scale Lane Bridge — the world's first opening footbridge that you can ride — swings across the River Hull. The Old Town is dotted with historic pubs, independent shops, and unexpected architectural gems.

Hull Fruit Market: Creative Quarter

The Fruit Market is Hull's answer to creative quarters found in cities around the world, but it has a distinctly local flavour. This former fruit trading district on the banks of the River Hull has been transformed into a vibrant neighbourhood of independent bars, restaurants, galleries, and creative businesses.

Key venues include Humber Street Gallery, which hosts cutting-edge contemporary art exhibitions, and Stage@TheDock, a stunning timber-framed performance venue on the waterfront. The area comes alive on weekend evenings, with cocktail bars, street food, and live music.

During the day, the Fruit Market is a great place for a coffee and a wander. The street art on the surrounding buildings is impressive, and there are regular markets and pop-up events throughout the year.

Hull Marina and the Waterfront

Hull Marina occupies the old Humber Dock and Railway Dock, and its transformation from working docks to a leisure marina is one of the city's great success stories. The marina is lined with bars and restaurants, and on a sunny day the terrace tables overlooking the yachts and narrowboats are some of the best spots in the city.

The waterfront walk from the marina, past The Deep, and along the Humber foreshore is excellent. You can follow the path all the way to the Humber Bridge on a good day, with views across the estuary to Lincolnshire.

East Park: Hull's Green Lung

East Park is Hull's largest public park and one of its most treasured spaces. Opened in 1887 and recently restored with Heritage Lottery funding, the park covers 120 acres and has something for everyone.

The animal education centre has small animals and birds, including meerkats and wallabies. The boating lake, splash pad, and multiple playgrounds make it one of the best family days out in Hull. There is also a bowling green, tennis courts, and plenty of open space for picnics and ball games.

Rainy Day in Hull? Head Indoors

When the weather turns — and this is East Yorkshire, so it will — Hull has plenty of indoor options. The city's museums are all free and can easily fill a rainy afternoon. The Deep is an obvious choice for wet weather. The Bonus Arena hosts concerts, comedy shows, and events throughout the year. Hull Truck Theatre and Hull New Theatre offer a strong programme of drama, musicals, and pantomime.

For shopping on a rainy day in Hull, Princes Quay Shopping Centre sits dramatically over the water of Prince's Dock, and St Stephen's Shopping Centre next to the railway station has all the major high street names. The independent shops along Humber Street and in the Old Town offer something more interesting.

Family-Friendly Days Out in Hull

Hull is an excellent city for families. Here is a quick rundown of the best family attractions:

• The Deep — sharks, penguins, and 3,500 marine animals
• Streetlife Museum — climb aboard vintage vehicles and explore recreated streets, free entry
• Hull and East Riding Museum — Iron Age settlement, Roman mosaics, free entry
• East Park — playgrounds, splash pad, animal centre, boating lake, free entry
• William Booth Birthplace Museum — the founder of the Salvation Army, free entry
• Hull Ice Arena — public skating sessions throughout the year

Culture and Nightlife in Hull

Hull's cultural scene expanded dramatically during and after City of Culture 2017, and it has continued to grow. The city now has a genuine arts infrastructure that would be the envy of many larger places.

Live music: The Bonus Arena hosts major touring acts, while venues like the Welly Club, the Adelphi, and the Social have long been central to Hull's grassroots music scene. Hull has produced some notable musicians over the years, from the Housemartins and Everything But The Girl to recent indie acts.

Theatre: Hull Truck Theatre, founded by the playwright John Godber, stages original productions and touring shows. Hull New Theatre is the city's main venue for musicals, ballet, and pantomime.

Nightlife: The Old Town has a concentration of pubs and bars, from traditional real ale pubs like Ye Olde Black Boy to modern cocktail bars. The Fruit Market area has a more contemporary scene. Beverley Road and Newland Avenue, in the student quarter, offer a different atmosphere with lively bars and late-night food.

What to See in Hull: A Walking Route

For first-time visitors wondering what to see in Hull, here is a walking route that covers the highlights in around two to three hours:

1. Start at Hull Paragon Station — admire the Victorian station architecture
2. Queen Victoria Square — Ferens Art Gallery and the City Hall
3. Whitefriargate and Parliament Street — Hull's main shopping streets
4. Holy Trinity Church — step inside one of England's largest parish churches
5. Land of Green Ginger — Hull's most famously named street
6. Wilberforce House — birthplace of the abolitionist
7. Museums Quarter — Streetlife Museum and Hull and East Riding Museum
8. Scale Lane Bridge — ride the opening footbridge
9. Humber Street and the Fruit Market — galleries, street art, coffee
10. Hull Marina — finish with a drink overlooking the water

Getting to Hull

Hull is well-connected by road and rail. The M62 motorway links the city to Leeds, Manchester, and Liverpool. Hull Paragon Interchange has regular train services to London King's Cross (around two hours and 40 minutes), Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester, and Scarborough. The P&O ferry terminal at King George Dock runs overnight services to Rotterdam and Zeebrugge.

Within the city, Hull has an extensive bus network, and the compact city centre is easily walkable. The city is also notably flat, making it one of the most cycle-friendly cities in England.

Why Hull Deserves Your Time

Hull is not a city that shouts about itself, but it rewards those who take the time to explore. The museums are genuinely world-class and free. The Old Town has more character per square metre than almost anywhere in the north. The waterfront has been beautifully regenerated. And the people — straightforward, warm, and proudly Hull — make the whole experience. If you have not visited recently, or if you have never been at all, Hull will surprise you. It is one of the most interesting and affordable cities in England, and it deserves to be much better known.