Kingston upon Hull Things to Do

The Arc is Hulls newest tourist attraction. The new centre, formerly titled Humber Centre for Excellence in the Built Environment, promoting the role of good architecture and design in regeneration, and the creation of sustainable communities throughout the Humber Region is now open in a flagship eco-building by Niall McLaughlin Architects, the first purpose built architecture centre in the United Kingdom.
Entry is free and there are continuous exhibitions and events. See the website for details.

NOW CLOSED MAY 2013

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This is the largest parish church in England when floor area is the measurement for comparison. The church dates back to about 1300 and contains what is widely acknowledged to be some of the finest medieval brick-work in the country, particularly in the transepts. Holy Trinity Church is now a Grade I listed building.
William Wilberforce, who led the parliamentary campaign against the slave trade, was baptised in Holy Trinity Church
The organ is a large four manual instrument. The oldest parts of the organ date from 1622 by the builder John Raper. There was further work in 1756 and 1758 by John Snetzler and 1788 by Ryley. Forster and Andrews worked on the organ in 1845, 1854, 1876, 1900 and 1908, with John Compton providing the last restoration in 1938.

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Hull has a golden statue of William of Orange riding a horse, which commemorates his landing in England to become king. Legend has it that ‘King Billy’ gets off his horse and goes for a drink in the King Billy pub when he hears Holy Trinity Church clock strike midnight. The statue is known locally as the King Billy statue.

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The 18th century Trinity House is to the Humber what Londons Trinity House to the Thames. Trinity House symbolizes the maritime greatness and importance of Hull and the writer Daniel Defoe described Trinity House as 'the Glory of the Town'. Trinity House is one the most extensive older secular buildings of Hull with entrances in Posterngate/Trinity House Lane and on the other side of the complex in Princes Dock Road.
Today it is a school for boys who have the intention of becoming seafarers on attaining qualifications and boys come here from across England to study.
Only accessible to the public on special civic open days but a beautiful building to view externally.

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The Land of Green Ginger is a narrow street at the bottom of Whitefriargate in the old town and was formerly known as Old Beverley-street.
There are a variety of commercial and residential buildings along the street's length. The Land of Green Ginger is also where what may be the world's smallest window can be seen. It was used by the gatekeeper of the George Hotel to look out for stagecoaches and customers.
No one is sure where the street got its name from. Spice ginger was stored and sold from the area once but it seems most probable that the designation 'Land of Green Ginger' took place between 1640 and 1735.
As the photo shows this is a pleasing street and has in it , Hulls only surviving coaching inn, The George Hotel.

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One of Hulls most picturesque streets situated in Hulls old town. There must have been many such streets in Hull prior to 1941 but so many were lost in air raids on the city and never re-built.
This famous street is reached through an arch from Trinity Square and runs through to Dagger Lane. It is named after the Prince Regent who became George IV and the houses are Georgian.
There is a small park in the street and this is one of Hulls hidden corners.

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This used to be Hulls open market location but when the market closed some years ago the square was rejuvenated and today is a pleasant place to sit and watch the world go by. The square is dominated by Holy Trinity church but also the ornate market hall and the medieval building that houses the Hands on History museum. In the middle of the square is a statue of Hulls most famous poet, Andrew Marvell.
There is an open air market just once per month now - creative and specialised stalls that sell handmade bags, clothes & jewellery with a vintage or recycled twist, homemade cupcakes and local produce, bespoke baby gifts, vintage home accessories, complementary and alternative gifts, therapies, fragranced soya wax candles, original artworks and much more.
The market is held on the first Friday of each month..

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Every July Hull hosts a Sea Shanty Festival. This is a free event held on the east side of the Marina and features acts associated with the sea. The music is best described as folk music but there are also some fisherman's choirs and in 2005 there was a choir from Holland made up of ladies in traditional costume called Haar op de dijk who I enjoyed immensely.
The event is organised by Shanty Jack ( the man on the right on the photograph) and there are also stalls selling various things associated with the sea and events and exhibitions too.
(Due to funding cuts the festival will be reviewed for 2013).