Things to do in Hull
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The Deep
Hull's biggest tourist attraction is The Deep, a vast aquarium housed in a colossal, an- gular building that appears to lunge above the muddy waters of the Humber like a giant shark's head. Inside it's just as dramatic, with echoing commentaries and computer-generated interactive displays that guide you through the formation of the oceans and the evolution of sea life. The largest aquarium is 10m deep, filled with sharks, stingrays and colourful coral fishes, with moray eels draped over rocks like scarves of iridescent slime. A glass elevator plies up and down inside the tank, though you'll get a better view by taking the stairs. Don't miss the cafe on the very top floor…
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Wilberforce House
Next door to the Streetlife Transport Museum, attractive, Georgian Wilberforce House (1639) was the birthplace in 1759 of the antislavery crusader William Wilberforce. It covers the history of slavery and the campaign against it - a major renovation saw its closure through 2006 but it reopened early in 2007.
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King William III Statue
Near the Art Nouveau gents toilets is the King William III Statue. It was erected in 1734 in honour of William of Orange, who besides being king also has the distinction of introducing England to gin, which he brought from his native Holland. The statue's proximity to the toilet is pure coincidence.
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Venn
Modern British cuisine in all its cool, posh guises hits Hull and - guess what? - sticks nicely. This trendy brasserie serves fancy sandwiches, pizzas and salads, while the more upmarket upstairs restaurant goes to town with dishes like leg and saddle of local rabbit with Parma ham…gorgeous.
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Holy Trinity Church
At the heart of the Old Town, Holy Trinity Church is a magnificent 15th-century building with a striking central tower, and a long, tall, unified interior worthy of a cathedral. It features huge areas of windows, built to keep the weight of the walls down as the soil here is unstable.
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Streetlife Transport Museum
The well-preserved High St has some eclectic museums. The Streetlife Transport Museum has re-created 1930s streets, all sorts of historic vehicles to get on and off, and a pleasant garden.
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Maritime Museum
The dusty-feeling but interesting Maritime Museum, in the former dock offices (1871), celebrates Hull's long maritime traditions, and includes some daunting whale skeletons.
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Art Nouveau Gents Toilets
Moving to some more prosaic architectural treasures, southeast of the church are some famous rare Art Nouveau gents toilets that have been relieving the pressure since 1902.
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Lamp
One of the more modern watering holes in town, with DJs, cocktails, a plush atmosphere and all the other devices to attract the beautiful kids.
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Hull Truck Theatre
Home to acclaimed playwright John Godber, who made his name with gritty comedies Bouncers and Up'n'Under (he is one of the most-performed playwrights in the English-speaking world), Hull Truck presents a lively program of drama, comedy and Sunday jazz. It's just northwest of the Old Town.
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Museums
Hull has a remarkable collection of city-run museums . All share the same phone number and opening hours and are free unless otherwise stated.
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Hull & East Riding Museum
The Hull & East Riding Museum traces local history from Roman times to the present, with new Anglo-Saxon, medieval and geology galleries.
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Welly Club
The East Riding's top nightclub offers two venues – the mainstream Welly:One (which hosts Shuffle, the regular Saturday night dance club) and the more alternative Welly:Two (more house, techno, drum and bass). First Friday of the month is the famed Déjà vu house night, while Thursday is indie rock.
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Cerruti
Hull's best Italian restaurant is an attractive spot that specialises - unsurprisingly - in seafood.
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Hull New Theatre
A traditional regional theatre hosting popular drama, concerts and musicals.
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Arctic Corsair
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Spurn Lightship
Built in 1927, Hull's lighthouse-ship once served as a navigation mark for ships entering the notorious Humber estuary. Now safely retired in the marina undergoing renovation, it's not yet open to public.
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Old Town
Hull's Old Town, whose grand public buildings retain a sense of the prosperity the town once knew, occupies the thumb of land between the River Hull to the east and Princes Quay to the west. The most impressive legacy is the Guildhall, a huge neoclassical building that dates from 1916 and houses acres of polished marble, and oak and walnut panelling, plus a small collection of sculpture and art. Phone to arrange a free guided tour.
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Museum Quarter
Hull has several city-run museums concentrated in an area promoted as the Museum Quarter. All share the same contact details and opening hours, and all are free.
The fascinating Streetlife Museum contains re-created street scenes from Georgian and Victorian times and from the 1930s, with all sorts of historic vehicles to explore, from stagecoaches to bicycles to buses and trams. Behind the museum, marooned in the mud of the River Hull, is the Arctic Corsair. Tours of this Atlantic trawler, a veteran of the 1970s 'Cod Wars', demonstrate the hardships of fishing north of the Arctic Circle.
Nearby you'll find the Hull & East Riding Museum (local history and archaeology), and
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Minerva
If you're more into pubbing than clubbing, try a pint of Black Sheep at this lovely, 200-year-old pub down by the waterfront; on a sunny day you can sit outdoors and watch the ships go by.
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Maritime Museum
Housed in the former dock offices (1871), the Maritime Museum celebrates Hull's long association with the sea.
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Hitchcock's Vegetarian Restaurant
The word 'quirky' could have been invented to describe this place – an atmospheric maze of small rooms, and an all-you-can-eat vegetarian buffet whose theme – Thai, Indian, Spanish, whatever – is chosen by the first person to book that evening. But hey – the food is excellent and the welcome is warm. Bookings necessary.
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