Thought we’d do something different and take in a bit of Hull maritime heritage, so booked to do one of the free guided HCC tours, and today was the day. Sod’s Law, after a few glorious days, I left Howden in torrential rain, couldn’t see hand in front on motorway, and had second thoughts of cancelling. Glad we didn’t! Rain didn’t stop play, initially spitting with rain, then sun came out to play! We chose the longer tour, approx 2 hours long, leisurely pace, from the Museum Quarters, a loop around High St, what were originally Hull docks, Princes Dock, Marina, Sammy's Point, along river back to museum. A shorter tour is available. Being a Hull girl of 60 yrs+ with family history of river gypsies/working barges, I didn’t think there’d be anything I didn’t know! Rookie mistake! For starters, I have never ever even noticed the Guildhall 23 1/2 carat golden time ball & weathervane at top of the clock tower, the only such timepiece on a UK municipal building, it is the highest in the UK and one of only a handful still operational today! The site being renovated to home the restored Arctic Corsair looks like it will be a fab heritage venue/attraction when completed & open next year. Fingers crossed, I’d like to see the finished project. All in all, an interesting freebie couple of hours, with a lovely knowledgable lady guide (Janet) followed by a welcome drink in an old town pub garden in the sunshine. What’s not to like!
Didn't know about the time ball? Some on here are wasting their effing time, none intended. The views expressed in my posts are not necessarily mine.
It was in a thread a while back. In short, it was added just as they were going out of fashion due to improved timekeeping devices, then broke shortly afterwards. Out of action for yonks, then restored about 2 or 3 years back.
Glad you enjoyed it love, I was thinking about it but my pace of walking now it'd turn into a three hour tour. I can't wait for the Museum to open and the Corsair too.
I did one a couple of years back. Apparently it was part of the tour guides training. The guide was excellent, and I learned a lot. I was even more spoiled as there were only a couple of us in the group, and one of the others was an absolute mine of information on a lot of the background stuff to the history, having being deeply involved directly and indirectly with much of it. The walk over run by quite a bit, but it was for good reason as there was so much pointed out and discussed.
We can easily overlook our marvellous 'free' museums and attractions in Hull. When younger our children loved doing the museums quarter and occasional trip to the Deep on the one off yearly pass. Recently went Nottingham for my daughters graduation and decided to do a bit of tourism did the cave tour (very good and worth it despite only being 40 minutes long) as we were leaving the guy on the door said we'd get a discount at their sister museum* around the corner (surprised we would have to pay but the council is bankrupt if that's the reason) anyway even with the discount another £10 from memory... *. https://www.nationaljusticemuseum.org.uk/cityofcaves/visit
Golden ball cost over £400,000 for the renovation, within two weeks it had stopped working. I believe it it now working again but not sure how long it was out of order but it was months rather than days. I hope the renovation came with a warranty.
I may be repeating myself but on a sunny day stand on monument bridge and look down to the Guildhall , it’s a magnificent building and the high level statues are awesome / if you do it don’t just glance take a proper look at the ‘splendour ‘ of it .
Got lots of photos of Guildhall and City Hall when I lived in the Town, we've got some great buildings in 'Ull.
