This month we are in the north-east exploring a popular coastal marina.
Nestled on the Humber Estuary, Hull Marina has a long and fruitful history.The marina was built on the site of the former railway and Humber Docks, both of which have a history that stretches back some 200 years (Hull was a thriving port city dating back to 1770s). The two docks closed permanently for shipping in the 1960s and were redeveloped, with the marina complex opening in 1983.
Today this coastal marina is situated in the heart of the city and close to the action thanks to the pedestrian bridge which opened in 2021 and connects moorers to shops, restaurants, pubs and cafes, all within a short walk away.
FACILITIES AND BERTHING
There are 218 finger and pontoon berths in the marina with 45 of those reserved for residential living. All jetties are fully serviced with metered electricity and water. As to be expected at an Aquavista marina the on-site facilities cover all your practical needs for waterside living, including toilet and shower facilities, 24-hour laundrette, customer parking and Wi-Fi.
As well as residential and leisure moorings, the marina offers a safe haven for boaters without a permanent mooring during the winter and there are spaces for visitors too.
Hull also has an extensive boatyard allowing customers to carry out their own maintenance. It features a crane/boat mover with 50 tonnes lifting capacity as well as undercover and winter storage. Annual contract holders have free access to the boatyard for up to eight weeks a year, whilst yard contracts are also available to non-moorers.
The marina offers brokerage services too, including free valuations.
As with all Aquavista marinas, annual account holders can also make the most of their free benefits scheme, Moor benefits, which includes a wide range of boating and lifestyle discounts.
You can also access their popular Explore 100 scheme which allows free stop-overs for up to 100 nights a year at any of their other 29 marinas* across the UK.
For those who like to explore a little further afield there is a 50 per cent berthing discount for up to five days a year in each marina within the TransEurope network, which Aquavista’s South Coast marinas Birdham Pool and Royal Clarence are also members of.
*subject to availability.
ACCESS
How to find the marina by sea:
Hull Marina can be found on the Humber Estuary, a vast expanse of water 145 square miles in total and 4 miles wide at its entrance. As it is a locked marina all visitors need to book a lock time in advance. Lock keepers are available from 6am – 10pm. Penning is available with 24 hours notice. Call the Hull Office on 01482 609 960 or speak directly with the lock keepers on 07789 178 501.
The lock is operational from three hours before and after high water and, with a little preparation, you can aim to arrive when the tide is slack, making things a little easier.
The lock keeper can be reached using Channel 80 on your VHF radio, or on 07789 178 501.
How to find the marina by road:
The marina is situated in the heart of Hull, just off the A63, 60 miles east along the M62 from Leeds.
How to find the marina by rail:
The Hull Paragon Interchange is a short walk from the marina and connects you to Sheffield, Leeds, York, Manchester and London – so it is perfect for commuters.
CRUISING
Hull is just the right kind of base for cruising around. You have also got easy access to the inland waterways of Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Norfolk, whilst the sheltered estuarial waters are a great place to set off from for exploring those good old English seaside towns along the east coast.
You can cruise to Whitby, Scarborough and Bridlington to the north and Wells-next-the-Sea and the Norfolk ports of Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft to the south, all just a day’s sail away. You can also sail to Spurn Point for a full day trip or stay overnight, whilst further north takes you to Newcastle or Hartlepool. Cruising to continental Europe is also a popular voyage from Hull.
OUT AND ABOUT
Hull Waterside & Marina is located in the heart of the city, so there is loads to do nearby. You can visit shops, restaurants and museums in the centre or try some of the local pubs as well as a number of independent shops and cafes on Humber Street nearby.
The Minerva and the Whittington & Cat come highly recommended, whilst the Holiday Inn offers Aquavista moorers a generous 20 per cent discount across their breakfast and ‘All Day Dining Menu’ in the lounge which overlooks the waterside.
The Museum Quarter is home to world class attractions like the Hull Maritime Museum or you can visit the Old Town to see if you can spot the smallest window in England or submerge yourself in the deepest aquarium in Europe.
As well as East Park, which has 130 acres of parkland to explore, you could also try the Hull Fish trail – a two hour walk that sees you searching for different fish hidden around the city. If cycling is more your thing, you can ride from the marina to the magnificent Humber Bridge following National Route 1 signs. Flat and traffic free, you will coast through parks and a nature reserve.
MARINA BUSINESSES
Matthew’s Marina
This local Hull company specialises in marine repair, upkeep and also marine training from beginner to expert and commercial.
Ctek
Providing almost any kind of servicing or repairs from cosmetic touch ups or repainting to engine installations and metal fabrication to get vessels turned around and back in service and working as soon as possible.
Nautical Circle
This is a national training centre delivering high quality, low student ratio training courses. Their aim is to provide world class marine training, both theory and practical, to recreational and commercial clients with approved RYA, HSE and MCA instructors.
PERSONAL RECOMMENDATIONS
“It is 20 minutes from home and I never thought I would look forward to coming to the city but it is my holiday home, my escape. The team are obliging, it is a really good atmosphere and value for money. I have been to other places but somehow this is more personal. I like to take my boat up the Humber Estuary to York and I love spending weekends on the boat. In the summer when the sun is out you could be in the Mediterranean. It is a great place to be, I love it.”
Gus, Valkyrie has been a leisure customer at Hull Marina for around 12 years.
Scott, who sailed from America to Hull Waterside & Marina on his 33ft yacht, Veegee, is now refitting it for his next adventure – sailing to Europe.
“I have been here around six to seven weeks now; I was lucky the marina had space, but they were very accommodating! It can be a bit daunting as a newbie, but the lock keeper Andy was brilliant when I arrived. You cannot fault the location. It is fantastic, great for walking into the town centre.”
Scott, Veegee
Contact the marina’s crew on:
01482 609 960 | hull@aquavista.com | www.aquavista.com
Hull Waterside & Marina
Warehouse 13, Kingston Street,
Hull, Yorkshire HU1 2DQ
Office opening hours:
Monday and Wednesday: 9:00am – 17:00pm
Tuesday and Friday: 9.30am – 14.30pm
Thursday and Sunday: Closed
Saturday: 9:00am – 13:00pm
