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Recognised as one of the most striking buildings in the city, Hull Maritime Museum in Queen Victoria Square will once again shine.

As part of this transformational project we will breathe new life into Hull Maritime Museum.

Opened in 1871 as Hull’s Dock Offices, this Grade 2* listed building regularly saw ships sail past its windows in the town centre’s docks. Later, the building became the city’s Maritime Museum in 1975. The museum welcomed record visitor numbers during 2017 City of Culture, and is a popular destination for locals and visitors.

Hull's original dock offices
How the whaling gallery looked
Original displays
The stunning Court Room before restoration

Extensive improvements will mean the museum and its collections will be in better condition, better interpreted and explained:

  • the building will be conserved to reveal the quality of its original architecture
  • conservation will secure the future of the museum
  • collections on and off display will benefit from improved environmental and storage conditions
  • the second floor will open to the public
  • new and improved education and learning programme on offer
  • improved access and visitor facilities including more toilets, a café and lifts
  • there will be access to one of the building’s domes offering for the first time superb panoramic rooftop views across the city
  • new exhibitions and displays using previously unseen material will tell over 800 years of Hull’s maritime story
  • increased digitisation of the collections
  • Hull’s role as a modern maritime city will be highlighted, drawing attention to the many thriving industries and inspiring future generations

It will give the city the world-class museum it deserves, putting Hull at the centre of a worldwide story.

Artist impression of new exhibition at Hull Maritime Museum
Gateway To The World - artists' impression of a new gallery in Hull Maritime Museum
An artists' impression of the new Atrium at Hull Maritime Museum
Artists' impression of new displays at Hull Maritime Museum
An artists' impression of walking on a sea bed in one of the new galleries at Hull Maritime Museum
Plans for the new atrium at Hull Maritime Museum - opening more striking architecture

Maritime Museum is now closed to the public.

Work to refurbish the museum is now complete. The huge task to build and install the new displays, new projections and technology will get underway. Although the Maritime Museum is closed there is a huge variety of ways in which you can get involved in the maritime project.

Some of the highlights coming up in the next few months include a programme of pop up exhibitions which will go on display at city centre venues allowing people to discover hidden stories from Hull’s maritime past. We will promote these opportunities as and when they take place.

See the latest update on transforming the museum here.

The museum is expected to reopen in spring 2026.