All the UK Towns and Cities
Search over 60 thousand pages of pub history and London history by surname, street name or pub.
Kingston upon Hull, commonly referred to as Hull, is a city, which is located in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England, and is situated on the northern bank of the Humber Estuary.
Hull is known for its maritime history, including its fishing industry and its historic connection to whaling and shipping. It is also the birthplace of the abolitionist William Wilberforce, who led the campaign to abolish the slave trade. Hull was granted city status by King Edward I in 1299.
Hull is home to Holy Trinity Church, which is often referred to as Hull Minster, with parts of the building dating back to the 14th century. While it is not technically a cathedral in terms of being the seat of a bishop, it is the largest parish church in England by floor area and is often regarded as Hull's "town church." It features impressive medieval architecture and is known for its distinctive asymmetrical tower.
While it was not officially designated as a cathedral until 2017, it has a long history dating back to the late 13th century. Hull Minster serves as the seat of the Bishop of Hull and is an important religious and cultural landmark in the city.
Hull has an airport called Humberside Airport. While it is not located directly within the city of Hull itself, it serves the wider region, including Hull and the surrounding areas. Humberside Airport is situated near the town of Kirmington, approximately 15 miles (24 kilometers) southwest of Hull city center.
Humberside Airport offers both domestic and international flights, with destinations including Amsterdam, Aberdeen, and Jersey, among others. It provides a convenient air travel option for residents of Hull and the surrounding region.
Hull has a railway station known as Hull Paragon Interchange. It is the main railway station serving the city and is located in the city center, near the bus station and city center shopping areas. Hull Paragon Interchange provides connections to various destinations across the UK, including London, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, and York, among others. It is operated by TransPennine Express and Hull Trains, offering both regional and intercity rail services.
Hull, like many other port cities in Britain during the era of the transatlantic slave trade, had connections to slavery. Hull's involvement in the slave trade primarily revolved around its role as a port, facilitating the transportation of goods and supplies to and from other ports involved in the slave trade, such as those in West Africa, the Caribbean, and the Americas.
While Hull itself did not have significant direct involvement in the transportation of enslaved people, it profited indirectly from the trade through industries such as shipbuilding, provisioning, and trade in goods produced by enslaved labor, such as sugar, tobacco, and cotton.
Additionally, some individuals and families in Hull were involved in financing or investing in ventures related to the slave trade, including the purchase of shares in slave ships or investments in plantations.
In recent years, there has been increased awareness and acknowledgment of Hull's historical ties to slavery, leading to efforts to confront and address this aspect of the city's history through educational initiatives, public memorials, and discussions about reparative justice.
Hull has a network of waterways and canals that have played a significant role in the city's history and development. The River Hull runs through the city and has been a vital waterway for trade and transportation for centuries. Additionally, Hull is connected to the Humber Estuary, which flows into the North Sea and serves as an important maritime route for shipping.
In addition to natural waterways, Hull also has several man-made canals, including the Beverley and Barmston Drain and the Market Weighton Canal. These canals were historically used for transporting goods and materials to and from the city's docks and industrial areas.
Overall, Hull's waterways and canals have been crucial to its economy and identity as a port city, facilitating trade, transportation, and industry throughout its history.
It is one of the busiest ports in the United Kingdom, located on the north bank of the Humber Estuary. The Port of Hull has a long history dating back centuries and has played a crucial role in the city's development and economy.
The port handles various types of cargo, including containerized goods, bulk cargo, and Ro-Ro (roll-on/roll-off) freight. It also serves as a passenger terminal for ferry services to destinations such as Rotterdam and Zeebrugge.
The Port of Hull continues to be a vital hub for trade, transportation, and industry, contributing significantly to the local and regional economy.