This kid moved to Hull and she hasn’t looked back (Picture: PA)

The fine city of Kingston upon Hull has just been announced as the UK’s City of Culture for 2017.

Previously the subject of much derision from those dwelling in superior locations such as Milton Keynes and Scunthorpe, Hull’s star is clearly on the rise. In fact, if you had any sense you’d just bloody well move there. Here’s why…

1. You can buy a 3 bedroom house for the price of a pint of beer in London

Or thereabouts…


I once brought a multipack of crisps in Fitzrovia that cost twice what these houses do (Picture: Zoopla)

2. Chip spice

Hull is where it all began for this irresistible foodstuff. If you’re not exactly sure what chip spice is, think ‘salt made even more awesome’. Another way of looking at it is: ‘fish and chips made even more likely to give you a heart attack one day’.

Chip spice is definitely good for you (Picture: Getty)

3. BRIDGE



Bridge fans ahoy: there’s a massive bridge in Hull. If you like bridges, you’ll definitely be able to get on board with this one.

Even for detractors of bridges, this is pretty special (Picture: PA)

4. Hull Fair

Nobody, but nobody, takes Ferris wheels as seriously as these guys.

Hull Fair happens once a year (Picture: Flickr)

5. A nutritious dinner costs less than £1

Playing it fast and loose with the word ‘nutritious’ here, but a decent pattie butty (basically deep fried carbs) is available for 95p if you find the right food outlet. Also playing it fast and loose with the word ‘dinner’ here if I’m honest, because God only knows what meal that refers to in Hull.

Pattie butty and chips by the Humber, sense of self-loathing not pictured (Picture: Twitter)

6. It’ll get you fit

Burn off all those pattie butty calories by cycling absolutely everywhere. Hull is incredibly flat and has an excellent cycling infrastructure, making it near-enough the Amsterdam of the north of England. (The Amsterdam of the south of England is clearly Torbay, in case you were wondering.)

Cycling is big in Hull, which is just as well after all that chip spice (Picture: PA)

7. You can escape it on the cheap

Talking of Amsterdam, if you ever fancy getting away from Hull for a few nights but don’t have much cash to spare, P&O Ferries have the solution. Dubbed ‘Hull’s biggest night out’, their two-night mini-cruise to the Dutch capital costs just £75 return.

In case it all gets too much in Hull (Picture: P&O)

8. Local sports teams

Hull boasts two decent rugby teams (Hull KR and Hull FC) as well as the Hull City football team. Not too shabby.

Sports fans will feel right at home here too (Picture: PA)

And finally…

9. It’s not OK to take the mick out of Hull unless you actually live there

So if you want to make any kind of side-splitting puns about ‘Highways to Hull’ etc. you’re going to have to move there.

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