Seeking tour advice for England in September

From Hull, a car is a great idea to explore the wider Yorkshire area & and its beautiful moors, dales and villages.

If you just want to see the city of York, on the other hand, it’s an easy direct train journey from Hull that takes just over an hour. You won’t need a car in York itself, but it would help if you want to see the countryside.

Edinburgh is a very straightforward train ride from York, or you could do an interesting drive up the gorgeous and wild North-East coast seeing the likes of Alnwick, Bamburgh and Lindisfarne if that appeals.

You could then turn back the car in Edinburgh, where you emphatically will neither need or want it.

Incidentally Hull itself is a really underrated interesting city that’s worth a day in itself.

From Hull, a car is a great idea.....

To get out of Hull any way is a great idea. Sorry to pour cold water on the OP's choice of University town but I've been to Hull once and never intend to return. It does have a good university campus however, which was the reason I was there, to visit a friend. At least it'll be cheap!

York is definitely worth a few days, likewise Edinbugh however if you have a car it might be worth touring the wider Yorkshire/Northumberland/Border area first before turning in the car at Edinburgh, spend a few days there, take the train to York for two more nights before taking the train to London for the remainder of your time.

To get out of Hull any way is a great idea. Sorry to pour cold water
on the OP's choice of University town but I've been to Hull once and
never intend to return.

Difference of opinion! I’m a fellow-Portmuthian like you, and felt a real affinity for Hull.

Very cold, though, and it feels a bit like the end of the world, but I maintain it’s really interesting especially since the City of Culture investment.

white phone boxes, too

Thank you so much for the great advice! Will try renting a car in Hull to get around the area, check out the coast and drop off the car in York. Cheerio!

Hull has 'improved' by all accounts in recent years. Haven't been there personally so can't comment but friends who went last year said they were pleasantly surprised. It was UK capital of culture recently somimtbink it falls into the category of interesting rather than attractive.

When did you come to Hull JC. Living here I would completely disagree with you. It’s no different then Portsmouth in terms of an industrial town with lots to see and do.

Also I should add if you do want to take a trip there are some local companies that do tours.

http://www.eastyorkshirecoaches.co.uk/
And
https://acklamscoaches.co.uk/day-trips

I have used and would recommend both of these companies.

My son will be studying for a semester at the University of Hull, England this Fall.
. . . . plan to do some sightseeing after we drop him off at university.

First sentence is a give away you are a US-American.
1) Nobody but Americans says "xxx, England". It is Hull, Yorkshire. This has always struck me as inconsistent, why do you say "Paris, France" (when everybody knows where Paris is), but you never say "Birmingham, USA"?
2) They don't have a season called "Fall" in England, they have autumn

The second sentence, if you are "dropping him off". Where are you coming from and by what method of transport?
I guess you are flying in from somewhere. You could get a car at the airport (which airport?) and drive to Hull, or catch a train. If you already have a car you do not need to get one in Hull.

FYI, the full name of the city is Kingston upon Hull. "Hull" is the shortened form normally used.
There is also a "Kingston on Thames", in SW London. That is normally shortened to "Kingston"

When did you come to Hull JC. Living here I would completely disagree with you. It’s no different then Portsmouth in terms of an industrial town with lots to see and do.

Admittedly about 20 years ago! I also woulnd't consider the comparison to Hull with Portsmouth a good thing, other than the Historic Dockyard, the seafront including the D-Day museum etc, a few indpendent and cosmopolitan streets (and of course where I live) I'd say much of Portsmouth is pretty crap. A good idea to take in the 'beauty' of Portsmouth is to take a bus from Cosham that takes you through Hilsea, North End, Buckland, Fratton, Somerstown, Landport and then to Southsea. What you'll encounter is gritty, poor, rough areas with very little, if anything, going for them. You never really noticed it when growing up amongst it but once you start travelling and move out into the more afffluent areas you suddenly notice the difference.

There is a real divide within Portsmouth, the affluent and middle class (and predominantly Conservative voting) districts of Drayton and Farlington on the northern outskirts and the affluent and middle class (and predominantly Labour/Liberal/Green voting) districts of Southsea. Pretty much everywhere inbetween comprises the working class, large immigrant populations and large estates of welfare housing.

I'll take your advice about the improvement of Hull, I would have hoped 20 years would have made a difference and maybe I'll return some day but at the moment I have many more places on my list to visit before I entertain the prospect of Hull : )

JC, I often describe Portsmouth as “a Northern city on the South Coast.”

If you want a nice nearby town, I propose Beverley. North-West of Hull, on the rail line (easy train access).
Old town with a Minster (cathedral), market, old streets and a surviving town gate.

For sightseeing tours while you’re in London, check out London Walks at www.walks.com. They have a wide range of 2-hour walking tours, and every one I have taken has been great. They also have occasional day-long tours to nearby towns and sights, called Days Out.

York is amazing, we spent three nights there and there is much to see. Walk the ancient walls, spend time in the Munster and National Railway Museum.

Also, suggest heading to Pickering, then over the Yorkshire Moors, by car or take the neat steam train, then head to Whitby on the coast.

JC, I often describe Portsmouth as “a Northern city on the South Coast.”

Yes, only with better weather.

I'd love to know how you'd describe Southampton!

I'd love to know how you'd describe Southampton!

I was there working recently, and found myself telling someone “it looks a lot like Coventry by the sea, only less interesting.”