Hull Tourist Information

The Deep Aquarium

This marine life and sea life history experience is one in a million. Housed in a museum shaped like a ship the kids will love exploring the depths 'literally', as included in this experience is an underwater lift which can take you 10 feet below!

Exhibitions and living sea life are numerous, including the Corals, the Kingdom of Ice exploring Arctic sea life, and the Big Bang taking you back to before life began. Hands on and interactive people queue for ages to get into this attraction which doesn't disappoint. Check out their fantastic website to plan your visit before you go - there's so much to see you need to plan!

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Hull Museums and History

Hull's old town area around High Street is the city's location for the main museum quarter. A cultural feast of museums and Georgian architecture, the museum quarter is a good place to start your city break in Hull.

In the Museum Quarter sits the Hull and East Riding Museum, Streetlife Museum of Transport, Wilberforce House Museum and the Arctic Corsair, Hull's last side fishing vessel (sidewinder) dating from 1960 the Arctic Corsair is moored up on the riverbank near the Transport Museum with guided tours available.

Kids will love Hull's Hands on History Museum on South Church Side housed in the old grammar school dating from 1347. William Wilberforce attended this school, which was also the site for Hull merchants guilds meetings on the first floor of the Tudor building. Today the museum offers a ground floor dedicated to Victorian Britain, with plenty of hands-on exhibits. The Second Floor plays host to 'The Story of Hull and its People' exhibit focusing on the social history of the city alongside an ancient Egypt display. Move to Hull's Marina to tour the Spurn Lighship which once served as navigational aid for ships entering the River Humber.

For comprehensive guides to all of Hull's museums check the weblinks right. The Hull Museums Collection webguide offers a superb introduction to Hull's numerous historical themes including Hull and the Sea, William Wilberforce and Slavery, Transport and How we used to live. For Hull's history of whaling, fishing, ships, boats and other maritime facts and exhibitions visit Hull Maritime Museum, Queen Victoria Square, Hull, HU1 3DX.

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Hull Art Galleries & Hull Theatres

Hull's Ferens Art Gallery has a well established history - the gallery first opened in 1927. This award winning Yorkshire art gallery is one of the regions best. The impressive collection includes a fine selection of old European masters, particularly Dutch works by the likes of Jacob van Ruisdael (1628-82) renowned for his landscapes. Frans Halls' Portrait of a Young Woman is the gallery's particular highlight within Galleries 1 and 2 housing the old masters. Victorian and Edwardian art on display in Galleries 5 and 6 includes gems by artists such as Newlyn School notable Walter Langley and find pieces by Hull's most acclaimed marine artist John Ward (1798-1849) in Gallery 10. For showcases on contemporary 20th century art move to gallery 7. This splendid permanent collection is further enhanced by consistent changing temporary displays, workshops and events.

Hull Museums and Art Gallery, Ferens Art Gallery, Queen Victoria Square, Kingston upon Hull, HU1 3RA. Tel. 01482 613 902.

Hull boasts two premier theatres. Historic Hull New Theatre on Kingston Square first opened its doors in 1939 (a mammoth achievement to open a new theatre during wartime and the credit is largely due to the vision and efforts of Peppino Santangelo who maintained his connections with the theatre until retirement in 1951). Hull New Theatre has consistently changed with the times, yet today retains its links with the past with annual Christmas pantomime a particular favourite alongside musicals, drama and ballet. For forthcoming programme and a comprehensive history of the theatre checkout Hull City Council's Tourist guide. Hull New Theatre, Kingston square, Hull, HU1 3HF. Tel. 01482 226 655.

The Hull Truck Theatre has gone from strength to strength in recent years, and is soon to get a new home - moving from the Methodist Hall on Spring Street to a spanking new much larger modern venue on Ferensway. As well as theatre at the new venue other facilities will include bars, a cafe, educational facilities and a larger main auditorium seating up to 440 people. Read more on Hull Truck's new building due for opening 2009 via their webguide. Hull Truck's programme of drama, music and comedy is cutting edge, and the new building promises to be a hub for Hull's growing exciting programme of festivals, especially the city's jazz festival. Hull Truck Theatre, Spring Street, Hull, HU2 8RW. Box Office Tel. 01482 323 638.

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The Humber Bridge Attraction

Traffic first went over this suspension bridge in 1981. The history of its design and construction is fascinating and outlined in the website below, as well as introducing additional pamphlets and books to those interested in finding out more.

The Humber has a shifting bed and navigable channel, so a suspension bridge was chosen, primarily because it wouldn't block the channel. A tunnel would have proved far too expensive. The bridge took eight long years to build, and really is a stunning piece of engineering.

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Hull Tourist Information Centre & Hull Festivals

Hull Tourist Information Centre, 1 Paragon Street, Hull HU1 3NA. Tel. 01482 223559.

Hull's festival calendar is growing, with particular festival highlights including the Hull Jazz Festival in late July, Sea Fever - Hull's International Sea Shanty Festival in early September and the historic Hull Fair which takes place over several days in mid-October.

For details on Hull's many festivals, and the history of Hull Fair which had evolved into a major entertainment event in the city by the early 1800s checkout the Hull Fair and Hull Tourist webguides.

Hull also holds its celebrated Real Ale & Cider Festival annually now in March at the new Horncastle Building venue on George Street. For details on forthcoming Real Ale Festival events in Hull see the Hull CAMRA webguide link right.

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