This is Hull

Lots to see, loads to do

Hull's become one of the UK’s most talked-about destinations. It’s not hard to see why: there’s so much to do here that you’ll do well to tick everything off in your years studying in the city.

In the centre of Hull, you'll find a brand-new concert venue, the Ferens Art Gallery and five free museums. There are all the shops you’d expect in a large city, plus cinemas and a trampoline park. And there’s our famous submarium, The Deep: home to sharks, penguins and more than 35,000 fish. So you’ll never be stuck for things to do or places to take your friends and family when they visit.

Oh, and we’re also UK City of Culture. 2017 was Hull’s year in the spotlight, but we hold the title until 2021, which means there’s more cool stuff still to come.

For tastes from around the world, there's Thai House, Marrakech, The Greek, Gusto da Gianni and Lucca all on Princes Ave. Near the marina, you'll find Ambiente, Tapasya, 1884 Wine and Tapas Bar, Butler Whites and Thieving Harry's.

Hitchcock's (in the Old Town) and The Zoo (on Newland Ave) are favourite hangouts for vegetarians and vegans. For burger lovers, Head of Steam, Dope Burger and Shoot the Bull are all must-dos. So is Bob Carver's fish and chips. And his patties.

Also, every Hull student knows you can't graduate without trying our famous chip spice. Rules are rules, and all that.

If you just want to turn up and play for fun, our campus sport programme fits the bill. For something more competitive, we've got around 50 student-run clubs for everything from American football to wheelchair basketball. And if you're looking to excel, our Sporting Excellence Clubs and Talented Athlete Programme can support you.

We also have some of the country's most extensive on-campus sports facilities. Like what? Like 3G pitches, a new £3.5-million football hub, a 12-court sports hall, a strength and conditioning suite, a 120-station fitness facility and three bespoke exercise class spaces.

The Avenues are buzzing with bars like Pave, Larkin's and The Board Room: all stock a tantalising list of draft, craft and trappist beers. Then in town, there's proper ye olde pubs like The Lion and Key, The White Harte, Ye Olde Black Boy and Ye Olde Blue Bell (we really weren’t kidding about the ‘ye olde’ thing). New bars like The Brain Jar, Head of Steam and Furley & Co are well worth a try, too.

Gin and cocktails more your thing? Humber Street Distillery serves more than 100 kinds of gin, plus cocktails and spirits you've never heard of. Closer to home, there's Roots Rum Shack on Newland Ave and Lucca on Princes Ave.

For clubbing, you've got Piper on a Monday, Asylum on a Wednesday, Thursdays at Welly, and Atik at weekends.

The Adelphi club is pretty prestigious. It might look like an unassuming little place, but it hosts big-name bands and up-and-coming artists every other night. Radiohead, Green Day, First Aid Kit, Oasis, The Stone Roses, My Bloody Valentine, Bert Jansch, Jarvis Cocker, The Housemartins and Jesca Hoop have all played there.

The fabled Tuesday Sesh at the Polar Bear showcases emerging bands each week. Pave on Princes Ave runs a weekly jazz jam. Speak Easy regularly puts on regular acoustic open mic events around the Avenues and in town. And keep your ear to the ground for secret gigs from Sofar Sounds …

Then there’s the big festivals - Freedom, Pride in Hull and Humber Street Sesh. Every August, more than 200 acts play across 14 stages spread over the Fruit Market and marina.

Whether you’re a regular theatregoer, or you just enjoy the occasional show, you’ll love Hull Truck and Hull New Theatre. You’ll also have the Uni's own Donald Roy Theatre on your doorstep.

For poets, writers and performers, there's plenty to get involved with. Like the regular plays, shows, readings, book launches, drama groups and stand-up comedy run by bodies like Absolutely Cultured and Back To Ours.

You’ll find fellow art lovers at Ferens Art Gallery, which hosted the Turner Prize and exhibited five of Francis Bacon’s Screaming Popes in 2017. Humber Street Gallery presents contemporary visual art, design, film and photography over three floors. And in nearby Artlink, you can browse an ever-changing collection of local art.

And, of course, we have Freedom festival: a whole weekend dedicated to art, dance, music and theatre.

Not far from the uni, you’ll find the independent boutiques and shops of the Avenues: Little Bird, Bed, Bob Greens and more. And when you need to put your shopping bags down, there are plenty of bars, delis, restaurants and coffee shops nearby.

Searching for vintage one-offs? Try Beasley’s in Hepworth’s Arcade or Chinese Laundry on Saville Street. Down by the waterfront on Humber Street, you’ll discover eclectic independents like Poorboy Boutique, Tessies and 19point4.

For big-name brands, St Stephen’s, Princess Quay and Prospect shopping centres have everything you need in one place. Or if you’re in the mood for a wander, Whitefriargate and the high streets off Queen Victoria Square are some of the best shopping spots in the city.