Evidence of Hull's long history and its place as one of Britain's great maritime centres beckons the visitor instinctively towards the waterfront and the Old Town. Here historic architecture, quiet narrow lanes, old pubs, colourful barges at anchor, preserved warehouses, formal gardens and wide views of the impressive Humber waterway, provide many hours of interest. Two historic docks form the city's elegant yacht harbour while echoes of the trading days of sail are to be found in the Town Docks Museum with its galleries on fishing, whaling and shipping. Horse carriages combine with vintage cars in the Transport Museum. Nearby Wilberforce House, birthplace of Hull's most famous son, tells the story of the slave trade and his successful campaign of abolition.

Big city shopping is a real pleasure in traffic free streets which are the setting for live, open air entertainment during the spring and summer months. Art Galleries, City Hall with its concerts and organ recitals, the New Theatre and Spring Street Theatre - home of the famous Hull Truck Company - discos, restaurants and other entertainment plus northern England's first Olympic standard Ice Arena, offer the visitor a varied, value for money stay in one of the country's most distinctive places.