48 hours in Hull and East Yorkshire – Kingfisher Visitor Guides

By Phil Ascough

Imagine travelling north through Lincolnshire to find yourself on the Humber Bridge, the iconic suspension bridge spanning the Humber where you can see, as Larkin might have said, forever. It certainly feels that way as you enter Hull, especially if you time it well enough to see the sunrise over the mouth of the river.

Day one

The first day of a two-day visit gives you a good chance to experience the city, a vibrant place underpinned by strong cultural commitment and incredibly friendly people. It’s worth lingering at Hessle to admire the Bridge, as impressive now as the day it opened in 1981, and to wander down to Hessle foreshore, maybe with a walk through the Humber Bridge Country Park, known locally as ‘Little Switzerland’ or ‘Little Swiss’ and an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Admire the Humber Bridge

After making your way to the city centre, visit the distinctive Fruit Market next to Hull Marina, home to an eclectic mix of art galleries, music venues and restaurants and, if you arrive in late summer, the legendary Humber Street Sesh festival.

Nearby is Hull’s Museums Quarter, with all sorts of wonderful things to look at and to do. Hull is renowned for its fun, friendly nightlife, and a visit to the Princes Avenue and Newland Avenue area offers plenty of options for laid-back food, drink and entertainment. The numerous bars, restaurants and takeaways attract a diverse mix of people and give the area an exciting, cosmopolitan vibe, perfect for a good night out.

Hull is renowned for its fun, friendly nightlife, and a visit to the Princes Avenue and Newland Avenue area offers plenty of options for high-tempo or laid-back food, drink and entertainment

Day two

No trip to East Yorkshire would be complete without visiting Beverley, a pretty market town with an awe-inspiring Minster. The cobbled streets house many high street names interspersed with a quirky selection of smaller independent shops, an antique arcade and the Saturday market, and when you’ve finished exploring The Georgian Quarter with its listed buildings and 15th-century North Bar, take your pick of independent pavement cafes and coffee shops to soak up the constant hustle and bustle.

Enjoy a drive up the east coast to Bridlington, perhaps stopping off at Danes Dyke beach or Bempton for spectacular seascapes and a glimpse of rare wildlife. Sewerby Hall, a Grade 1-listed Georgian country house, is well worth a visit while you’re there – sit and enjoy the endless expanse of gardens, sea and utter calm while opportunity affords.

: See the wonderful wildlife at Bempton Cliffs

: Don’t miss seeing the spectacular Beverley Minster

From Bridlington, head back inland and explore some of the beautiful towns and villages nestled amongst the rolling hills and valleys of the Yorkshire Wolds, which present some of the most beautiful countryside in the world, sweeping 80 miles from Hessle to Filey. Pocklington and Bishop Wilton are particularly worth a visit for the stunning views alone.

The idyllic village of Warter reveals the inspiration behind David Hockney’s largest painting, Bigger Trees Near Warter. Garrowby Hill, the highest point of the Yorkshire Wolds, is the subject of his 1998 painting of the same name. Exhausted, enlivened, it’s time to head back home. All that’s left to do is catch the sunset over the Humber and plan your next visit.