What is Hull Known For? A City With More Than You Think

[Admin]

What is Hull Known For?
Had a mate from London visiting last month and he straight up asked me "what's Hull actually famous for?" Took me a second because there's actually loads.
William Wilberforce — born in Hull, led the movement to abolish the slave trade. One of the most important figures in British history and he's ours.
The Humber Bridge — when it opened in 1981 it was the longest single span suspension bridge in the world. Still one of the great engineering achievements.
The Deep — one of the best aquariums in Europe. Proper impressive building as well sitting right on the waterfront.
UK City of Culture 2017 — Hull won it and genuinely transformed the city centre. Changed how the rest of the country sees us.
Hull City AFC — FA Cup finalists 2014, three Premier League campaigns. More than most clubs ever achieve.
Reckitt — global company worth billions started right here in Hull. Dettol, Nurofen, Durex all made by a Hull firm.
Loads more but that's a start. What would you add?

 

[springbank_lad]

Great shout on Wilberforce mate. Most people outside Hull have no idea he was from here. Should be way more celebrated nationally than he is.
I'd add the fishing industry as well. Hull was one of the biggest fishing ports in the world at its peak. The Triple Trawler Disaster in 1968 hit this city hard and the women who marched to change safety laws after that were incredible. Proper Hull story that one.

 

[MarkHCFC]

Never forget Hull was a massive trading port for centuries as well. The old town down by the river is seriously underrated people walk straight past it but there's 700 years of history right there. The Land of Green Ginger street alone gets people talking just because of the name.
And yeah City of Culture 2017 genuinely surprised people. Saw proper world class stuff happening in Hull that year. Changed a few minds about this city.

 

[MKMFaithful]

Random fact that always gets people. Hull is the only city in the UK that never joined the BT phone network. Still has its own independent provider called KCOM. And the phone boxes aren't red like everywhere else in the country they're cream coloured. Every visitor does a double take when they see one. Absolutely unique to Hull that.

 

[Admin]

If you enjoyed this thread you might want to check out our full Kingston Upon Hull history discussion as well. Loads more in there about the fishing industry, Wilberforce and how the city developed over the centuries.
Kingston Upon Hull History – How Our City Was Built