King George Dock

The dock itself is more working harbour than leisure spot, but that's precisely what makes it worth a look if you're staying in Hull. This is where you see the city actually doing something - boats coming and going, the odd industrial crane, actual life rather than a theme park version of it. You can walk around the perimeter, grab decent views across the water, and get a feel for Hull's maritime heritage without any of the tourist theatre.

It's not somewhere to spend half a day. More of a thirty-minute wander, really - good if you're already in the area and the weather's decent. Families with young kids won't get much out of it unless they're into spotting boats, but if you've got teenagers or you just fancy a bit of real-world industrial scenery, it's worth the detour. The contrast with the polished attractions elsewhere is actually refreshing.

If you're based at Spring Valley Campsite or Burton Constable Holiday Park - both solid options within easy reach - King George Dock makes a quick stop on a rainy afternoon or a morning constitutional before heading out to bigger attractions. It's free, obviously, and you can rock up whenever. The walk around the dock is flat and straightforward, which is helpful if anyone in your party finds hills tedious. Not a must-do, but if you're in Hull proper, don't skip it just because it looks industrial.