Destination of the month

this month

On the 21st January, the Royal Academy of Arts in London opens its biggest ever exhibition of a living artist David Hockney RA: A Bigger Picture. Around 80% of the work on display depicts the beauty of the Yorkshire Wolds, where this artist also has a seasonal home. 2012 is a perfect time of to experience the area that has inspired this prolific artist.

Hockney often paints the same scenery in different seasons, using the different colours and light to create images that appear similar but are actually very different.

Hockney exhibition »

things to do

RSPB Bempton Cliffs and bird sanctuary: a family favourite, and easily the best place in England to see, hear and smell seabirds! More than 200,000 nesting birds including puffins, guillemots and kittewakes make the cliffs seem alive as they nestle onto the tiny ledges. And all this alongside one of the most breathtaking stretches of coastline in the UK.

Bridlington beaches: Bridlington North Bay is an award-winning Blue Flag sand and shingle beach surrounded by wide promenades set against the impressive backdrop of Flamborough cliffs. Bridlington South Bay is a gorgeous stretch of sandy beach running from the harbour as far as the eye can see. It offers water sports, sunbathing and calm, welcoming water.

Spurn Point: a beautiful stretch of sand reaching out across the entrance to the Humber. The point is teaming with wildlife offering an ideal place for bird watching, sea fishing, walking or just a day out with the family.

Wold market towns: the market towns offer vibrant shopping experiences, with many individual shops specialising in art, clothing and gifts, alongside a number of famous high street names. Enjoy bustling street markets throughout the week and experience the area's famous farmers markets.

Bridlington Spa: this spectacular venue has been the town’s centrepiece for over a century and has benefited from a £15million redevelopment in recent years. The Spa has hosted many of the world’s top performers alongside major events and gatherings.

city life

Hull offers a wonderful shopping experience with three shopping centres in the heart of the city: St Stephen’s Shopping Centre, Princes Quay Shopping Centre and the Prospect Centre. These boast major high streets names alongside restaurants and cinemas. The city also has indoor shopping streets that are home to a range of boutique stores.

Hull is also home to a fascinating old town. Cobbled streets lead visitors on a voyage of discovery including ancient pubs, superb museums and unique art trails. The Seven Seas Fish Trail explores the old town and marina, entertaining at the same time as educating people on the industry that made Hull powerful.

The city is also home to the world’s only submarium – The Deep! This spectacular aquarium is home to thousands of underwater species as well as having its own tropical zone.

Hull Truck Theatre offers a vibrant, year-round program of award-winning entertainment: groundbreaking dramas, stand-up comedy and family fun – all located within the companies impressive new home in the city. One of the only Top 10 theatres in the country outside of London according to one of our national newspapers.

Hull’s unique Museums Quarter - consisting of Wilberforce House, the Hull and East Riding Museum, Streetlife and the Arctic Corsair trawler. Entry into all of Hull’s seven museums and the Ferens Art Gallery is free!

The city also has a newly developed cosmopolitan area in the avenues where visitors can experience a range of cafes, bars and restaurants serving food from across the world.

something to see

Woldgate Woods just outside of Bridlington is home to much of the scenery that has inspired artist David Hockney.

Flamborough Head boasts amazing views of the coastline stretching for many miles both North and South.

The coastline has been a favourite visitor destination for over 100 years, offering golden sandy beaches and traditional entertainment including donkey rides, ice cream parlours and inviting water!

The Big Skies Bike Rides are a series of brand new cycle rides in the Yorkshire Wolds that take just a day to complete and have created especially for families. The rides are based around the region’s picturesque market towns and villages, offering a variety of wonderful experiences including cycling around the seaside town of Bridlington, or exploring the rolling hills around Market Weighton. The maps for the rides can be collected free from Tourist Information Centres, or downloaded from VisitHullandEastYorkshire.com

The Yorkshire Wolds Cycle Route is a 145-mile, five-day route that circumnavigates the beautiful East Yorkshire Wolds. Starting from the bustling market town of Beverley, the route heads north-west across the Vale of York before turning east and meeting the coastline at the towering chalk cliffs of Bempton. The route then heads back through the picturesque east Wolds villages, returning to Beverley. The route encounters grand stately homes, abandoned medieval villages, ancient churches and some of the best scenery on offer in the UK!

more things to do

Burton Agnes Hall: Burton Agnes Hall is a house of immense charm and character. Its wonderful landscaped gardens stretch as far as the eye can see, and the house offers hours of exploration through the different architecture that has influenced the house through the centuries.

Walk the Yorkshire Wolds Way: the Wolds Way is a 72-mile route stretching from the banks of the Humber to the towering cliffs of Filey Brigg. The walk offers views of some of the most impressive and inspiring countryside that England has.

Hornsea Mere: the Mere is a tranquil freshwater lake that offers a whole array of water sports alongside a varied and vast wildlife habitat that attracts bird watchers from around the country to admire its rare feathered visitors.

Beverley Minster – a dominating building that is renowned for the grace of its Gothic style. It contains elements of three styles: Early English, Decorated and Perpendicular. The site where Beverley Minster stands has been used by the church for over 1,300 years; many who visit the church today experience a sense of quiet and spiritual peace within its walls.

Sewerby Hall and Gardens: the hall boasts a unique museum dedicated to the famous female pilot, Amy Johnson, who was born in Hull. Sewerby Hall is located on the famous chalk cliffs of East Yorkshire, and offers spectacular views of Flamborough and Bridlington.

culture

Hull boasts a rich and varied historical and cultural offering. You can enjoy a drink in the Old White Harte’s Plotting Room, where the English Civil War is said to have started, visit the home of William Wilberforce, the Hull-born politician that helped to end the slave trade, as well as visiting the Hull Truck Theatre, voted one of the 10 best theatres outside London!

Experience the dramatic story of the world’s oceans, from the dawn of time and into the future at Hull’s award-winning ‘submarium’ which is home to over 40 sharks and 3,500 fish. Highlights also include Europe’s deepest viewing tunnel and a glass lift ride through the 10m deep tank. Explore the Twilight Zone, the world’s largest exhibition featuring weird animals from the depths and Slime!, where you can discover how animals ooze, stick and slide to survive!

Hull’s award-winning museums quarter is a fascinating mix of exciting exhibits and interactive displays. These include: a life-size woolly mammoth; a simulated mail coach ride; the recreated sounds and smells of a steam locomotive goods station; an insight into the lives of the city’s trawler men as you board the Arctic Corsair trawler moored on the River Hull and the fascinating history of anti-slavery campaigner William Wilberforce.

Whether you are an active participant or a passionate supporter, this region has some great sporting facilities for you to enjoy. With a Championship football team, two Super League rugby teams and top flight ice hockey team, Hull has impressive sporting credentials.

culture »

prime tables

Hull and East Yorkshire boasts a fantastic collection of restaurants and cafes to suit people of all tastes. If you have chosen to base yourself in the city, the best place to head for food is Princes Avenue, the city’s cosmopolitan district. Here you will find eateries representing every major cuisine eaten in this country, and all served to a very high standard.

If you prefer to venture out into the countryside a very popular choice is the Pipe and Glass Inn, East Yorkshire’s first Michelin starred restaurant, boasting the finest local produce served in a thatched pub in the Yorkshire Wolds.

Bridlington is also the proud home of the best fish and chips in the country – fact! Chips at 149 is owner of the best takeaway fish and chip shop award.

places to eat »

great places to stay

Hull and East Yorkshire has a wonderful selection of accommodation including from coastal retreats, countryside cottages, luxurious country house hotels, cosy farmhouse B&Bs, fully equipped campsites and caravans as well as contemporary waterfront warehouse conversions. Wherever you choose, you can be sure of a warm East Yorkshire welcome.

Some highlights include:

High Barn Cottages are brand new luxury self catering cottages in the Wolds and within five minutes of the coastal town of Bridlington.

The historic Mercure Royal Hull, which has links with Queen Victoria and hosted visitors to the city for over 100 years!

The luxurious five-star Far Grange Caravan Park offers a quality camping option with on-site golf course and a range other wonderful facilities.

accommodation »

shhh...

The city of Hull was the home and inspiration of world-famous poet Philip Larkin. The writer’s work is studied by school children across the country and often refers to the city where he worked as librarian for its university. The Larkin 25 commemorations of the life and work of the poet included the creation of the Larkin Trail and a statue installed in Hull Train Station.

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