About Hull and the Region

Think you know Hull?
Think again.

So ... where exactly is Hull?

Never been to Hull before? That’s okay. There’s a first time for everything! Hull – or Kingston upon Hull, to use our full, proper name – sits on the northern shore of the Humber Estuary, a few miles inland from the east coast of England.

We’re part of the East Riding of Yorkshire, which means that our bustling city is a stone’s throw from some of Britain's loveliest countryside as well as expansive coastlines ... the best of all worlds.

This is a place that's inspired achievers from JRR Tolkien to Luke Campbell to extraordinary feats. So whether you’re a fan of arts or sports, or you just want to express yourself, come to Hull and let your light shine.

Daring to be different

Hull's never looked better or felt more vibrant. The entire city centre's been revamped, with spectacular lighting and unique fountains in Queen Victoria Square and an Italian-style plaza surrounding Hull Minster – England’s largest parish church and arguably the most beautiful. OK, we might be a tiny bit biased.

There’s also the revitalised marina and fruit market, which have become the new cultural and social heart of the city. Once a collection of derelict warehouses, they now house art galleries, contemporary bars, music venues and even a chocolatier.

The city's rarely felt so alive and optimistic. In fact, the only people making jokes about Hull now are those who've never been.

A rich and varied heritage

We’re proud of where we’ve come from. Hull's been home to many trailblazers, mavericks and free thinkers throughout its history.

Hull-born MP William Wilberforce devoted his life's work to abolishing slavery in Britain. Today, our Wilberforce Institute carries on his crusade, tackling issues around modern-day slavery.

Pioneering pilot Amy Johnson set flying records throughout the 1930s, becoming a symbol of female empowerment and a Hull heroine. And of course, the poet Philip Larkin was our University Librarian for 30 years.

You'll LOVE us - get to know us

It’s the people that make a place. A smile and a ‘hello’ go a long way. And you'll find both in Hull: according to a 2016 survey, we’re the second friendliest city in the UK. On campus, with neighbours and in the city centre, there's an unpretentious atmosphere and a real community spirit.

It’s a brilliant place to live in other ways, too. A recent study found Hull has the most reasonable rental prices in Britain. So: more money for you to spend on the sights, bites and nights of this lively waterfront city.

LOTS to see, LOADS to do

Hull's become one of the UK’s most talked-about destinations, with Rough Guides placing us in their worldwide 'top 10 cities to visit' in 2016. It’s not hard to see why: there’s so much to do in Hull that you’ll do well to tick everything off in your years studying here.

In the city centre alone, you'll find a brand-new concert venue, the Ferens Art Gallery and five fantastic free museums. That's as well as all the shops you’d expect in a large city, plus cinemas and a trampoline park.

And of course, there’s our famous submarium, The Deep. That attraction is home to an array of marine life, including the award-winning new 'Lagoon of Light' exhibition and the ever-popular Gentoo penguins. So you’ll never be stuck for things to do or places to take your friends and family when they visit.

Oh, did we mention
UK City of Culture?

2017 was Hull’s year in the spotlight. And we weren’t named UK City of Culture for nothing. We may have handed over the baton, but Hull is still the city where culture never sleeps. From Humber Street Gallery to Freedom Festival, we're gearing up for another year of amazing art, incredible installations and jaw-dropping performances.

The University was a principal partner of Hull City of Culture, and we played a huge part in making 2017 such a success. We also evaluated the year in a research project which will make Hull a blueprint for cities considering cultural investment as a tool for urban development.

Next stop: anywhere

Some people might tell you that Hull is at ‘the end of the line’, but they couldn’t be more wrong. It's easy to go get here by road, rail, sea and air – and our transport links mean that Hull can be the start of your journey, not the end.

There’s a direct train service to London that takes less than three hours – handy for trips home or if you feel like exploring the capital. Birmingham's only two and a half hours away, and it’s around an hour to either York or Leeds. Fancy a trip to the beach? Popular seaside resort Bridlington is nearby, so you can go from city to sand inside an hour.

Want to go further afield? There are daily ferry crossings from Hull to Belgium and the Netherlands. And from Humberside Airport you can reach destinations across Europe and – via Schiphol – worldwide.

Yorkshire: God's own country

Of course, Hull’s amazing. But what about the rest of the area? Visit the spectacular Yorkshire Coast for some of Britain’s most beautiful beaches, walks and sunsets. Or head to chic Beverley and check out the quirky independent shops and stylish restaurants.

Whether you’re after heritage, shopping, or an escape to the country, East Yorkshire has the lot.

Visit Hull and East Yorkshire