Overview
East Hull has many accolades to its name for it has the biggest park in Hull and one of the most spectacular aquariums. But, more than that, each segment of East Hull has something remarkable to uncover. There are affordable homes in sought after locations like Garden Village and the iconic Holderness Road with its restaurants, shops, cafés, pubs, and all-important necessities for its close community of residents.
Outstanding local primary schools are next to affordable starter homes for growing families, commuters, and retirees. East Hull has a golf course, rugby stadium, a zoo in its 120-acre park, and although you’d have no reason to venture outside its parameters, it has train stations less than 20 minutes away and a ferry travel service.
East Hull is all-encompassing with its iconic attractions, city pleasures, natural greenery and the sea air from its estuary that flows into the North Sea.
History of East Hull
Two thousand years ago, the area of Garden Village was a swampy ground of tidal flats that only became liveable after the building of the flood banks. After William the conqueror led persistent attacks in the north of England, a description of Southcoates in the 1086 Domesday Survey simply stated 'wasteland.'
However, things changed when Hull became a medieval port of significant prominence, known for its wool that passed into the hands of King Edward I in 1293, who named the area 'King’s town.' The wool was delivered as far and wide as the European countries now known as Belgium and Holland.
A strip of land was left on either side of Holderness Road for villagers to allow their animals to graze the land, and elm trees were planted to mark its border. English Soldier Sir William Constable had a farm built near modern-day Elm Avenue and a lane constructed from Holderness Road to his farm.
Reckitt and Sons was a leading British manufacturer of household goods and in 1908 opened ‘Garden Village,' a housing estate off Holderness Road for its employees. By 1914, 180 trams travelled along 20 miles of track throughout Hull, spreading new homes and wealth along its main roads.
Property Types in East Hull
The majority of homes sold in the east Hull area have been terraced, which would suggest it's most popular with first-time buyers, young families, and investors. Detached properties in the southern part of east Hull are slightly more expensive as there is a breathtaking view over the Humber Estuary. For example, there are exquisite 6 bedroom properties on Harbour Way, while Victoria Dock has its 3 bedroomed detached homes and modern 3 storey semi-detached homes in this sought-after location. Holderness Road is buzzing with shops, restaurants and local amenities running along its fringes, and there are many 3 and 4 bedroom Edwardian terraced houses here with large rooms and high ceilings.
Garden Village has modern village housing built since the 1900s, and now the area has ideal starter properties of 2 bedroom semi-detached homes for families. A former care home has been renovated with 14 studio apartments, each with modern kitchens and en-suites. Durham Street has large and spacious 3 bedroom terraced houses close to local schools and the Mount Pleasant Retail Park. Meanwhile, Preston Road has some brand new Scandinavian designed energy-efficient contemporary 4 bedroomed family homes, which are spacious and light with large windows.
Schools and Colleges in East Hull
East Hull has some exceptional schooling to offer, with three local primary schools having an ‘Outstanding’ rating from recent Ofsted inspections, and each school outperforming the national average. The Marvell College secondary school also offers its pupils BTECs and Cambridge Nationals, and the highly respected University of Hull is under 20 minutes away.
Nursery and Pre Schools
- Westcott Tots - Outstanding
- Gillshill Pelican Pre-School - Outstanding
- Happy Kidz - Good
- Westside Day Nursery - Good
- St Aidans Pre-School - Good
Primary Schools
- Craven Primary Academy - Outstanding
- Gillshill Primary School - Outstanding
- Spring Cottage Primary School - Outstanding
- Bellfield Primary School - Good
- Wansbeck Primary School - Good
Secondary Schools
- The Marvell College - Good
- Malet Lambert School - Good
- Aspire Academy - Good
- Oakfield School - Good
- Archbishop Sentamu Academy - Requires Improvement
Independent Schools
- Tranby School
- Hessie Mount School
- Froebel House School
- Hymers College
Local Universities and Colleges
- Hull College
- Wilberforce College
- University of Hull
Things to do in East Hull
Hull College Craven Park Stadium
Home to Hull Kingston Rovers rugby league, and a host of large theatre and musical performances is Hull College Craven Park Stadium. The stadium can seat 10,000 spectators, and the Harry Poole Bar at the northern stand part of the grounds offers drinks and refreshments. Recent musical entertainment at the stadium includes Tom Jones, and there are fireworks nights with street food as you watch the skies lighting up above east Hull. Other events include ‘Rumble on the Humber’ seeing Olympic gold medalist Luke Campbell taking on Tommy Coyle.
Loglands Nature Reserve
Loglands is an idyllic nature reserve with gravelled pathways and small lakes, popular with walkers, bike riders, and nature lovers, situated behind the Sutton Park Golf Club. The site has large spaced out picnic areas, meadows, and woodland, with breathtaking colours in the Autumn season. There is a set footpath, but you can venture off the track and climb the trees too. There are various butterflies to look out for, like the gatekeeper, speckled wood, and meadow brown.
Star Gardens, Veterans Corner, and Lake at East Park
There are many hidden gems to discover at East Park, such as the stunning Star Gardens, so named after the star shape they took on. The Veterans Corner of the park allows you to sit in quiet reflection and take in the steel memorial dedicated to the veterans. The large lake came about when Thomas Ferens, a former member of parliament, gifted the 16-acre boating lake in 1913. Once busy with rowing boats, the lake is now a popular fishing spot, packed with perch, carp, pike, eels, and bream.
Hull Karting
Off Poorhouse Lane, you can experience the thrill of motor racing at Hull Karting with one of the biggest fully floodlit circuits in the country. The ultra-modern 400m track will challenge the most experienced drivers, but all levels are welcome. Be amazed by spine-tingling bends, sharp turns, and challenging ramps. Compete against your friends in groups, where each competes to be the first to traverse the chequered flag and win the race. All drivers take a 10-minute practice and training session to get to grips with their kart.
Victoria Dock Walk
The Victoria Dock was formally opened in 1850 and named in honour of Queen Victoria. Enthusiastic walkers can start at Hedon Road and walk past Victoria Dock taking in attractions like The Deep aquarium, until reaching Hull City Centre’s pavements and no risk of sloppy, muddy paths! If you complete the entire walk, you will arrive outside The Minerva Pub for a refreshing pint and plenty of outdoor seating outside. The Minerva Pier overlooks the River Hull and has beach telescopes to follow the sailing ships.
Top 3 Things to do With Children in East Hull
The Deep
The Deep aquarium is one of the world’s most sensational aquariums in this eye-catching, fin-shaped building. This aquarium, designed by world-class architect Sir Terry Farrell is home to an estimated 3,500 fish, including the UK’s only green sawfish, alongside sharks, penguins, and turtles. Visitors are taken upstairs via an elevator before slowly descending through aquariums and exhibitions. The biggest tank has a capacity of 2.5 million litres and a tunnel allowing visitors a glimpse into the depths. The visit wouldn’t be complete without a coffee and a visit to the glass observation platform looking out over the Humber estuary.
East Park
East Park is one of Hull’s greatest offerings and largest parks at 120 acres. There are more activities than you could dream of here, including a children’s playground refurbished with brand new equipment, swan boat hire for a pedal around Ferens boating lake, and a Splash Boat ride, one of only two Wicksteed splash boats left in the country. Not forgetting the Animal Education Centre, a free zoo that features animals and birds from around the globe, and there are outdoor musical instruments to try out too. The refurbished water play area includes 43 water jets and different play features.
Crazy Kids Soft Play
In Southcoates Lane, there is entertainment for infants, toddlers, and children at the Crazy Kids Soft Play. There are enjoyable indoor games and equipment to keep children occupied for hours here, including slide chutes, ball pools, rollers, nets, and toys. There is a colossal three storey play frame and a separate area for the younger children. Parents or guardians will appreciate the free Wi-fi and a hot food and drinks menu as they watch their little ones go off on their adventures.
Local Beaches in East Hull
Spurn Heritage Coast
The Heritage Coast is recognised as a Nature Reserve by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust as the area is a visiting point for thousands of birds migrating in autumn and spring. There is a visitor centre and an observatory for bird watchers to keep an eye on their behaviour here. The coast is East Yorkshire's answer to Lands End, with a peninsula curving between the Humber Estuary and the North Sea.
Easington Beach
Down the coast past Withernsea beach is Easington, a remote stretch of sand enclosed by cliffs and dunes. When the tide is out, you’ll find this beach most popular with dog walkers that can spend a few hours strolling up and down the shore. The beach is quiet, doesn’t attract too many tourists, and is ideal for those wanting a peaceful walk listening to the sounds of nature.
Withernsea Bay Beach
Withernsea’s main sandy beach stretches for miles in each direction so you can smell the fresh sea air and watch the fabulous sunsets. A newly redeveloped promenade hosts several fish and chips shops, cafés, and pubs. Many people come here to sail and windsurf, and the lifeboat rescue service is stationed here.
Tunstall Beach
This beach is full of surprises in the many rock pools dotted around, and birds of prey are frequent visitors, including hawks, owls, and kestrels. When searching for rocks and pebbles, take a closer look, and you may find a fossil from extinct oysters named ‘the devil’s toenails’. They vary in size and will keep you occupied for hours trying to find them.
Shopping and Leisure in East Hull
Shopping
The east side of Hull is loaded with all the big name supermarkets like Asda Hull on Savoy Road situated next to Heron Foods. There is a NISA convenience store, a Sainsbury’s local, and one of the best Polish shops in Hull, Kubus Polski Sklep. The thriving Holderness Road has a Morrisons, Tesco Express and Iceland foods.
Independent shops like Soap From The Heart has unmissable gift ideas, and Angel Inspirational Crafts has every craft material for embroidery, embossing and art. Plenty of charity shops like The Dove House Hospice has clothing, books and more. The Kingston Retail Park is where you’ll find Select Fashion women's clothing and Matalan for discounted bargains.
Restaurants
Holderness Road is a true initiation into the best cafés, takeaways, and restaurants this side of east Hull. If Asian cuisine is your speciality, take your pick from Chilli Restaurant, Eurasian, and the Maharajah Restaurant, with vividly detailed menus of divine and authentic Indian food. Chyrelle’s Kitchen and CJ’z English & Continental Cafés are well-known for their value for money delicious British breakfasts with generous portions. For some of the best chicken wings and burgers in the city, Burgerology & Shakes is a must visit, and the Efe Tapas Bar Restaurant and Takeaway have by far the most authentic Mediterranean food around. Chesters Fish & Chips has some of the best chips in Hull and a click & collect service, and Sharon’s Plaice on Savoy Road has amazing fish fritters.
Pubs and Nightclubs
The Royal Charter has the best selection of ales and gins, contemporary, spacious outdoor seating next to a kids play area, and good old fashioned pub grub to boot. On Holderness Road, you have Apollo and Mill family pubs that also offer affordable, tasty mixed grills, ice-cold beer, and cater for children, too. The Barham Hotel is a friendly pub with Saturday night entertainment, bingo, raffle, and singers, whereas The Ravenser pub offers a traditional British pub experience with a lounge area. For more social occasions, New Trinity Club is a social club with darts, snooker, and pool among live music performances, and the Sportsman Bar on Hedon Road has good beer and live bands every weekend with no entry fee.
Cinema and Theatre
You are spoilt for choice when it comes to cinemas as there is the nearby Cineworld Cinema Hull situated among the restaurants and a bowling alley next door. The Reel Cinema Hull has several screens and is located within St Stephen’s shopping arcade. Overlooking the Humber estuary is the Vue Cinema Hull with plenty of space and VIP seats to make your film night feel special. On Church Street, Magic Carpet Theatre is a company of professional performers that specialise in puppetry, clown, and slapstick performances. The Crowns Theatre at Hull College Craven Park puts on performances each year like Cinderella, which include stunning costumes, sets and amazing effects.
Gym and Health
Whatever your fitness goals are, there are plenty of options to motivate you with countless independent gyms with great reviews. Choose Muscle World Gym with its great atmosphere and For Fitness Hull for its choice of equipment and welcoming staff. The Everlast Fitness Club Hull has a swimming pool, sauna, and spa for whether you’re up for some aqua aerobics or lane swimming. The Woodford Leisure Centre has recently updated itself to include modern squash courts, a 6-laned swimming pool, and state of the art virtual fitness studio with weights and resistance training. If gyms aren’t your style, there are many clubs to choose from, like the Aspire Gymnastics Club, Braveheart, and East Hull Boxing Club, as well as Bushido Ryu Martial Arts.
Golf Clubs
The Sutton Park Golf Course is where you can enjoy east Hull’s first-rate parkland course in this mature woodland of 18 holes covering 2,310 yards. For an opportunity to practice your swing, the Country Golf Driving Range has a practice green accompanied by a clubhouse suitable for the amateur to professional level golfers with no membership necessary. Three miles away on Longdales Lane is the impressive Ganstead Park Golf Club. Over the years, the course has become known as the most appealing in the eastern part of Yorkshire. It is easy to navigate with clearly defined fairways on a generously sized green among majestic trees and sculptured lakes.
Other Entertainment
Bluebell Skate Park is the largest outdoor skate park in Hull. It holds two main bowls, a standard small and a huge bowl, uniquely shaped like no other, with super-smooth surfaces ideal for amateurs or professionals. The Freedom Centre Hull has a café, library, hair salon and gym, and hosts several community clubs such as Clubbercise, a full-body workout to hit dance songs from the 90s to the present day. Tennis at Pelican Park has four tennis courts that have received charity funding to make sure they are maintained and kept to a high standard.
Travel Connections
The local buses can take you all around Hull and the nearby villages of Hedon and Bilton, while the Hull Paragon Interchange lets you travel all over the UK. The A roads are easily accessed and can take you to the east coast, northern cities, and major motorways. East Hull is fortunate enough to have a ferry and Humberside airport nearby.
Train
The Hull Paragon Interchange is less than 20 minutes away and takes you to major cities and towns. The trains travel to York, Sheffield, Manchester Piccadilly, London Kings Cross, and the towns of Scarborough on the coast, and Doncaster.
Road
The Yorkshire coast is easily accessible, with the A1033 taking you to Withernsea and the A165 to Scarborough. The A1079 that links Hull to York is reachable within 15 minutes, and once in York, you have access to the A64 to Leeds and the A19 to Doncaster. Once in Doncaster, you can access major motorways like the A1.
Air
The nearest airport is Humberside Airport, less than 45 minutes away to catch European flights. The Doncaster Sheffield Airport, just over one hour away, connects to popular locations all over Europe and Florida. Teeside International Airport is around two hours by car and services destinations within the UK and Europe.
Ferry
P&O Ferries Hull is right on east Hull’s doorstep and crosses daily to Holland. It’s a 12-hour journey to access the sights of Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
Bus
The 4 Bilton Grange bus has 63 stops and terminates at the nearby village of Bilton, while stopping all over Hull at Sculcoates, Drypool, Garden Village, East Park and Sutton Ings. The 3 Hull bus also takes you around east Hull. The 78 and 79 go to the nearby town of Hedon and the 75 EastRider goes to Withernsea.
Quirky facts!
- P&O Ferries Hull carried more than 10 million passengers and 2 million units of goods every year.
- The Hull College Craven Park Stadium allowed fans to personally sign a brick with their name on display outside the stadium.
- East Park opened in 1887, the day the country commemorated Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee.
- Bluebell Skatepark is Hull’s largest outdoor skatepark. • Anti-slavery campaigner William Wilberforce was a patron of Drypool Parish.
- Boiled sweets were invented in Hull
- Amy Johnson, the first female pilot to fly alone from Britain to Australia, was born in Hull on 1 July 1903
- During the Second World War, Hull became the most bombed city after 90% of its buildings was destroyed. Bullet holes can still be seen on some buildings throughout the city
- Hull is sometimes known as 'the most poetic city in England' as poets Philip Larkin and Andrew Marvell both lived in the city
- Hull is home to the largest Yorkshire Pudding Factory in the UK - Aunt Bessie’s - producing 500m frozen Yorkshire puddings every year
Images of East Hull
