SOCIAL / RECREATIONAL FACILITIES

Hull is one of the country's main ports with the advantage of closeness to the rest of the European Community. There is a direct inter-city link with London and other major centres. The M62 motorway provides fast communication within Yorkshire and links up directly to the A1 and M1 North/South motor routes. Humberside Airport provides a reliable service to several European cities. There is easy access to nearby pleasant countryside, dales, moors and first class coastal resorts. The impressive Humber Bridge links the North and South Banks of the Humber, which together have a combined population of approximately 850,000 people.

Both the city of Hull and the nearby market town of Beverley are ancient Boroughs of considerable interest. Hull was very much rebuilt after heavy bombing in World War II and is, therefore, a modern as well as an historic city. The city has all the amenities which would be expected, including an excellent climbing wall. There is a yacht marina, an international ice-rink and the world’s largest submarinum (aquarium) called “The Deep”. A new football stadium opened in 2002 and is home to Premiership Hull City AFC and Hull City (Rugby) FC. The other Rugby Superleague club, Hull Kingston Rovers RFC, is based in East Hull. Concerts by international stars are hosted by the stadium and previous performers include Elton John, Bryan Adams and Bon Jovi. There are excellent local restaurants, theatres and classical concert programmes.

Beverley has a beautiful medieval Minster, fine Georgian and other period houses, and a cobbled market square. The nearby racecourse and restored Dominican Friary dating from the 14th Century are notable attractions.

York is a medieval-walled city. It has many fine Georgian Buildings, as well as the imposing York Minster, and relics of previous Roman occupation. There are many small shops along cobbled streets, making for a unique shopping experience. At weekends there is street entertainment and also specialized markets, such as Farmers and Continental Markets. Tourists visit York from all over the world, all year round, which gives it a cosmopolitan feel. It has a large population of young people, and this is reflected in the growing number of wine bars, eating places and clubs. Once in York, getting around is easy as it is possible to walk everywhere, and the City walls and riverside paths make convenient and picturesque short-cuts. It is a cyclist-friendly city, with cycle tracks on most roads, and an extensive network of cycle tracks for weekend leisure activity. As well as Art galleries, a large Museum and Theatres, there is the National Railway Museum which has universal appeal. It houses a truly stunning collection of steam engines, other trains and memorabilia. The ‘Eye of York’ ferris wheel is worth visiting, and will be in place for a few years.

Scarborough is situated between the sea and the Yorkshire Moors and has unrivalled countyside and coastal leisure opportunities as well as the famous Stephen Joseph Theatre and a thriving local music scene.