Hull’s Spurn Lightship: First piece of Hull’s maritime resurgence reopens

This marks the first completed visitor attraction as part of the hugely ambitious Hull Maritime project, funded by Hull City Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Following a 14-month restoration by Dunston Ship Repairs, the city can proudly claim to be home to one of the best heritage lightships in the world.

The Spurn Lightship, built in 1927 by Goole Shipbuilding, played a crucial role in Hull’s maritime industries and served for nearly 50 years at the Spurn station outside the Humber. It guided seafarers safely through one of the world’s most treacherous waterways with fierce tides and shifting sandbanks. The need for river pilots today highlights the continued complexity of navigating this vital route. Decommissioned in 1975 and later restored as a floating museum in 1987, the vessel has welcomed more than 630,000 visitors over the decades. 

Now, after extensive restoration, the lightship has been relocated to its new home near the Murdoch’s Connection footbridge on Hull Marina. The surrounding area is also undergoing substantial improvements to enhance access and landscaping.

The project to return the Spurn Lightship to its former glory – managed by maritime heritage specialists, Beckett Rankine –  has included a restored deck, shotblasting to remove any corrosion, priming and several coats of paint which will protect this ship for future generations, as well as significant work to the cabin and below deck. Extensive replacements of damaged or modern fittings, rotten wood, corroded steel and cracked glass have been undertaken sympathetically, returning the vessel as much as possible to its original condition whilst improving visitor experience and accessibility.    

The floating museum will welcome visitors once again, with extended opening hours and improved accessibility. 

Councillor Mike Ross, Leader of Hull City Council, said: “The opening of the Spurn Lightship is an exciting new chapter for the vessel and marks the start of an incredible year for Hull, celebrating the city’s rich maritime heritage. 

“The Spurn Lightship will once again offer residents and visitors the chance to experience a vital piece of Hull’s maritime story, preserved with care and authenticity so that stepping aboard feels like visiting a working lightship.

“Visitors will be able to explore and experience its unique character and celebrate the vital role it has played in keeping our coastline safe.”

Helen Featherstone, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “The Spurn Lightship is well loved by the people of Hull, and its opening is something that many of them have been looking forward to as part of the Hull Maritime project.

“It’s fantastic to see Hull Maritime reach this milestone and continue to ensure that Hull’s significant maritime heritage will be at the heart of its economic regeneration. This latest landmark occasion in this ambitious project builds on the successful legacy of Hull as City of Culture in 2017. Not only will this boost tourism, it also another anchor project to further pride in this city.”   

The Spurn Lightship is free to visit and open to visitors Wednesday - Sunday, 11am - 3pm. 

If there are unsafe conditions on board caused by severe weather, the Spurn Lightship may be unable to open to visitors.

Further details on ticketing will be announced in the coming weeks.

Take a look at some before and after images here.