Hull has undoubtedly gone up in people’s estimation. Independent research into the impact of UK City of Culture activity in 2017 found three-quarters of visitors said their perception of the city had changed for the better.
One person who is determined to help continue this trend is tourism professional Georgia Allenby.
“That’s what’s cool about Hull,” she says. “People come not expecting much. Then they’re blown away by it, especially the Old Town, and come back again.”
Passionate about her home city, Georgia runs a small city apartment hotel, Hideout Hotel, where guests regularly ask the team to recommend itineraries for them.
“We try to showcase the whole city,” she says. “We need to look at the bigger picture. City of Culture was amazing for us because it made people in the tourism industry and the media think about Hull.
“I actually love that our city is at the end of the road. Anyone in Hull is here because they want to be. The only people who pass through are people on the ferry, but these days, people stay in Hull the night before or after their ferry journey.”
Georgia says some of her favourite things about the city are “the independent coffee shops, the friendly community feel and the old architecture”. And she’s happy to pass on some of her personal recommendations.
SOAK UP THE FREE CULTURE: “I always recommend visits to the museums and galleries – our guests love the fact that these are free – and take time to enjoy the beautiful architecture, the water fountains in Queen Victoria Square, the marina, High Street, Humber Street, Paragon Arcade and Hepworth’s Arcade.”
CATCH A LIVE GIG: “The music scene in Hull is pretty cool, so we recommend gigs at Fruit and Polar Bear for indie music, as well as Zebedee’s Yard.”
GET INSTA-READY: “We always pinpoint good photo spots for our guests – Prince St; Scale Lane footbridge; England’s smallest window; Hull’s trademark cream telephone boxes … and the one painted gold in honour of Olympic boxer Luke Campbell; Paragon Arcade and Hepworth’s Arcade; the new outdoor graffiti and street art area of the city, Bankside Gallery. We also have rooms with views of Hull Minster.”
BIKE IT… “Another thing we encourage people to do while they’re here is cycle through the city. We have two bikes for hire. Bankside Gallery is a popular spot that guests like cycling to.”
…OR WALK IT: “Take a walk along the waterfront, stop at Victoria Pier for ice cream, or follow the pavement Fish Trail.”
- Georgia Allenby is director of Hideout Hotel and design and marketing manager of her family’s business, Allenby Commercial.
- A detailed list of accommodation options in Hull can be found here.
