Walking in East Yorkshire - Hull Marina and Waterfront

Not strictly a walk, but a stroll along Hull's marinas, along to The Deep aquarium, and a stop off for a brew.




(These pics were taken over a couple of weekends in July, I've only just got round to cropping them up for the blog.)

I think the bit of marina above is where people have their permanent house boats. There always seem to be the same boats around in there, and there are canal boats and large barge types, which have a bit more room to live in.

The next bit of marina, after you pass the big Warehouse 13 building which is now luxury flats, is the main, large marina. We were there the weekend that the power boats were in town. We weren't there at race time, so all the boats were moored up.

I love all the faded wooden boardwalks you get in marinas.

Where the marina entrance meets The Humber there are two very flash office buildings, and some more luxury flats, which give the area a very upmarket feel (contrary to the impression you might have of Hull, there are lots of nice areas). There are usually some really nice, large, boats moored in the marina too, so you can see how the other half live.

This is one of the boats I spotted in the marina. This is how the other half live, if you are a pirate. Or called Hornblower.

This was another of the boats in the marina.

It's only a Navy boat from the Yorkshire arm of the Royal Navy. Who knew the navy was regional? And do the landlocked counties feel a bit left out?

And on the main road side of the marina is the Spurn Lightship. It was used like a floating lighthouse. It's now open to the public. You'd have to check when it's open though, it's not open all the time.

On the opposite side of the marina to the large office buildings and posh flats is the old fruit market. A street of old warehouses, which is actually very atmospheric. They are looking to turn it into a bit of an arty destination. There's already a music venue in one of the warehouses which also holds a vintage market once a month. A few of the other shops have galleries, and art workshops in them. But the majority are still a bit rundown and empty. I think the money that was earmarked for the revamp has been withdrawn. I hope they don't do too much revamping though. It would spoil it if it was all shiny and new. This is one of the businesses. It's a pop up cafe.

It's open every weekend (subject to council licence, according to the owners). It's full of vintage furniture and knick knacks, and the inside is made up a bit like a front room, with other tables and chairs spread out inside, and out the front. It give it a very homely atmosphere.

We picked the really nice bright red 70's / 80's table and chairs to sit at, which had a nice view over the marina.

Even the tea came in vintage mugs.

A bit further along the waterfront you come to The Deep aquarium. I love this building. It picks up the light differently every time I photograph it, and the design is great.

There are always interesting things to photograph near water. I'm assuming this is some sort of traffic light for ships coming into the River Hull which runs out to The Humber at The Deep. It just caught my eye as an interesting shadowy shape combined with the angular Deep building.

There a story behind this statue that was located just opposite The Deep. It was called Voyage, and it was commissioned as a matching pair. The other statue is in Iceland and is called For. They both faced each other and were looking out in the direction that their trawlers used to go to fish. Well, the Hull one used to. Some thieving-whatnots only pulled it off it's plinth and pinched it for scrap. Can you believe some people?

The good people of Hull are in uproar about it. They are very proud of their fishing heritage. This all happened only a couple of weeks after I took my pics, so I was lucky to see the statue. But, the good news is, because the statue in Iceland is an exact replica they are going to make a mold from it and replace the Hull statue. Hopefully with a live mains electric current running through it for the next lot who try and have it away.

All along the waterfront between the marina and The Deep you've got this type of railing, which reminds me of cruise ships, and a lot of boardwalks, which reminds me of decking, and lots of promenades which reminds me of European cities. It's really nicely done. I really like the waterfront. And if they get round to sorting out the Fruit Market section that'll be a bit extra to browse round on a stroll.

Just up from where this pic is taken there's a nice looking fish and chip restaurant that sticks out onto the river on a mini pier, with tables and chairs outside. Might have to check that out on another nice day.