No wonder the good folk of Grimsby grumbled about the way their town was portrayed in Sacha Baron Cohen’s film of the same name – there’s actually so much to see and do here, and our Grimsby hotel is ideally located to take in all the action. Don’t miss the chance to learn about the incredible hardships endured by its brave trawlermen, and then enjoy the fruits of their efforts at one of Grimsby’s many mouthwatering fish and chip shops. After a visit to the golden sands of Cleethorpes Beach just down the road, you can wind down thanks to Grimsby’s booming entertainment scene. The town also has more pubs and bars than you can shake a stick at, from traditional boozers to a contemporary brewery taproom and a lively rock club.
Things to do in Grimsby
Activities
Explore the eye-opening experiences of Grimsby’s courageous trawlermen at the town’s fishing heritage centre – and if history’s your thing, don’t miss the fascinating Time Trap Museum. Alternatively, you might just want to take a short trip to nearby Cleethorpes to enjoy the soft sand of its popular beach.
Entertainment
Grimsby Auditorium is the leading arts venue in the area and provides plenty of choice when it comes to music, theatre and comedy. If sport is your preferred type of entertainment, look no further than Grimsby Town, whose loyal fans have been known to take inflatable fish to games as a show of support for the Mariners.
Places to eat
Fish and chips simply have to be top of the agenda in a town like Grimsby – and there are plenty of outlets to choose from to sample this most British of treats. But there are plenty more culinary options as well, from high-class Italians and other eateries offering European cuisine to one of the most popular Indian restaurants in the area.
Nightlife
As you might expect, there are plenty of traditional pubs in Grimsby, but it also has a surprising number of more modern and unusual places for a drink, including a floating barge and the taproom of a brand new brewery. The town also has its very own rock club for fans of the heavier end of the musical spectrum.
Shopping
When it comes to retail therapy in Grimsby, there’s one place that dominates. Freshney Place was first opened in the late 1960s and initially known as the Riverhead Centre, before being redeveloped and renamed two decades later. Named after one of the two rivers which meet at Riverhead (the other being the Haven), it’s regarded as the number one shopping destination in North East Lincolnshire and attracts visitors from all over the county and beyond.
For a slightly quainter shopping experience, try the independent shopping area Abbeygate, which specialises in boutiques offering clothing, jewellery and more. It was developed on the site of an old brewery and has retained much of the character and charm of the original buildings. There are also bridal shops, hair and beauty salons, travel agents and a coffee shop.
Getting Around
Travelling to and around Grimsby is easier than you might think. Although it’s slightly off the beaten track, the town centre is only a 20-minute drive from the M180 motorway, and our Grimsby hotel is similarly close to Humberside Airport, which has international flights to holiday resorts as well as serving domestic destinations such as Aberdeen and Durham Tees Valley. There’s a rail connection from the airport to the town centre from Barnetby station to Grimsby Town station. TransPennine Express provides direct trains from here to Manchester Airport via Doncaster and Sheffield while there are also services to Barton-upon-Humber (connecting to Hull by bus), Lincoln and Newark. If you’re interested in going to the beach, one of our recommended Grimsby activities, then there are regular trains to Cleethorpes as well. Grimsby buses are run by Stagecoach, many of them operating from what’s known as the Riverhead Exchange. An easy-to-use Simplibus scheme has been set up, serving the outskirts of Grimsby as well as Cleethorpes, Immingham and Waltham.
Shopping in Grimsby
