What to do in Hull before your ferry: 9 ways to spend a day in Yorkshire’s maritime city
- teamthomastravels
- May 16
- 4 min read
Hull (or Kingston upon Hull to use its full name) is characterful northern city famous for its maritime history and once crowned UK City of Culture in 2017. With a P&O Ferries terminal offering overnight sailings to Rotterdam, Hull makes a brilliant stopover before heading across the North Sea. From a charming Old Town and the impressive Minster to an attractive marina full of independent restaurants, free museums and a rich maritime and political history, you'll easily fill a day or two.
Here are 9 top things to do in Hull before your ferry sets sail to Rotterdam:
1. Start in the Old Town
Begin your visit wandering the cobbled lanes and alleys of Hull’s Old Town. While Hull took an absolute hammering in WWII (they were the 2nd worst damaged city by bombing after London), its Old Town has largely survived. This part of the city feels like a step back in time, with historic warehouses, quaint pubs, and elegant Stuart and Georgian buildings, and has been used for period filming locations so many times that the city gained the nickname Hullywood.
2. Dive into The Deep
One of Hull’s most iconic attractions, The Deep is a must-visit, especially if you’re traveling with children. Built inside a striking futuristic building on the banks of the Humber Estuary, it’s one of the best aquariums in the world: over 3500 sea creatures including sharks, rays, turtles, penguins and plenty of interactive exhibits to keep everyone entertained.
3. Don’t Miss Hull Minster
Step inside Hull Minster, England’s largest parish church and an architectural masterpiece with over 700 years of history. Formerly known as the Holy Trinity Church, it’s peaceful, awe-inspiring, and absolutely massive. It's hard to believe that it isn't a cathedral! Look up to admire the soaring vaulted ceiling and intricate stained glass windows, or take a moment to enjoy the calm of the nave. The Minster is still very much part of daily life in Hull too, with regular concerts, exhibitions, and community events bringing people through its doors all year round.
Heading to Rotterdam? Read our other blogs!
4. Discover local legend, William Wilberforce
Hull is the birthplace of William Wilberforce, the famous abolitionist and the city's MP. His home has been turned into Wilberforce House Museum, part of Hull Museums, and it’s completely free to visit. Wilberforce House is a moving, thought-provoking museum that tells the story of slavery, resistance, and reform. There is also an impressive memorial with a statue of Wilberforce outside Hull College.
5. Explore vintage vehicles at Streetlife Museum
Right next door to the Wilberforce House Museum is Hull's Streetlife Museum, dedicated to transport. It's another freebie and explores 200 years of transportation, from horse drawn carriages to steam powered cars. You can walk down a reconstructed 1940's high street, see Britain's oldest surviving tramcar and an intriguing rhino shaped wheelbarrow.
6. Meet a mammoth at the Archaeology Museum
There's a reason why this district is called the Museums Quarter. Just a few doors further along High Street from Wilberforce House and Streetlife Museum is Hull & East Riding Museum of Archaeology. There's so much to see across thousands of years of history, from woolly mammoths to Roman mosaics, Iron Age hoards to "Henry's Gun", a Tudor cannon thought to belong to Henry VIII. There are even fossils that you can touch! Again, this museum is totally free to visit.
Exploring more of Yorkshire/the North?
7. Get Your Art Fix at Ferens Art Gallery
Another free gem (well done Hull!), the Ferens Art Gallery is well worth a visit. With one of the best art collections in the North and exciting temporary exhibitions, Ferens had a £4.5 million makeover in order to host the Turner Prize in 2017 as part of the UK City of Culture programme. Visitors can enjoy 700 years worth of artworks including those by Canaletto and Yorkshire's own David Hockney.
8. Dine by the Marina
Head to Humber Street, Hull’s buzzing waterfront area, for dinner. This former fruit market is now home to cool restaurants and bars, many with alfresco seating, along with independent shops and indie galleries. We’re eyeing up Bert's Pizza & Gelato (two of Emma's favourite foods!) and Ambiente Tapas for next time!
9. End with a Pint by the Water
Finish your day with a drink overlooking the Humber Estuary at the Minerva Hotel. The views are especially lovely at sunset - grab a picnic table outside or lean on the estuary wall to watch the river lapping below.
Missing something?
With such a rich seafaring history you might be wondering where Hull's Maritime Museum is - it's currently closed for renovation and will hopefully be welcoming visitors again in 2026.
How to get to Hull:
Hull is in the East Riding of Yorkshire, in the north of England. The city sits on the north bank of the Humber Estuary, close to the North Sea.
By car: Hull sits at the end of the M62, making it easily accessible by road from Leeds (around 1.5 hours), York (just over an hour), and Sheffield or Manchester (around 2 hours depending on traffic). There’s no Clean Air Zone to worry about, but if you're coming in over the mighty Humber Bridge (once the longest suspension bridge in the world), there is a small toll to pay for passenger vehicles (currently £1.50 for cars and small vans, £4 for larger vans and minibuses). Motorbikes are free!
By train: Hull Paragon Interchange is the city’s main rail station, with direct services to Leeds (1 hour) and York (1 hour). You can also depart from London Kings Cross and change at Doncaster (around 2.5 hours). Trains are reasonably frequent, especially to and from Leeds and Doncaster.
By air: Humberside Airport is the closest (around 30 minutes by car), though Leeds Bradford Airport and Doncaster Sheffield (when it reopens next year) are also options for international travellers.
For more information, visit the official Visit Hull website.
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