Hull — York, The Shambles And Castle Howard

The York Day

York is 60 to 75 minutes from Hull and is the obvious choice. York Minster is the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe with the Great East Window, the biggest expanse of medieval stained glass in the world. The city walls form a two and a half mile circuit and a 20 minute section gives the best views over the Minster. The Shambles is a narrow medieval street of overhanging timber buildings widely cited as an inspiration for Diagon Alley, and it is packed by mid morning so we go early. Add the Jorvik Viking Centre, the National Railway Museum which is free and excellent, or simply lunch and the snickelways. Four to five hours in York is a full and satisfying day.

Beyond York

Castle Howard is 30 minutes beyond York, a baroque palace with a dome, used as Brideshead in both screen adaptations, with grounds that take an hour on their own. The Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors are both scenic drives but they are 90 minutes plus from Hull, which makes them turnaround day material rather than port call material. Closer in, Beverley has a minster many people prefer to smaller cathedrals, and it is only 20 minutes from Hull, which makes it the right answer for a short call. Hull itself has The Deep aquarium and the Old Town, useful in heavy rain or for a late departure.