In 2024, planning was submitted for a new visitor attraction revealing the history of Hull’s South Blockhouse, a fortification that once protected the city.
Blockhouses were fortifications built to house cannons and protect gunners from enemy fire, with thick sloping walls to deflect shots. Hull’s South Blockhouse was commissioned by Henry VIII in 1541, and was strategically located at the confluence of the rivers Hull and Humber to protect the city from naval invasion.
The blockhouse was demolished in the mid-19th century, and the site is currently used as an overflow carpark for The Deep aquarium, one of the city’s most popular visitor destinations. Although archaeological excavations have taken place since 2017, no elements of the existing blockhouse are visible above ground, so there is very little public awareness of the site’s heritage.
The proposed attraction aims to improve public access to the site and to create a visitor attraction that highlights its significance and enhances its long-term conservation.
To achieve this, the proposed site layout traces the clover-shaped footprint of the blockhouse in reclaimed brickwork, while a series of double-height steel mesh sculptures help to convey the original shape and scale of the building. These are designed to create a ghostly impression of the historic structure, and will be filled with rubble at low level, as the original blockhouse would have been.
The remainder of the site will be landscaped to make it fully accessible to the public, with a mix of artwork and digital installations to create a variety of visitor experiences. Gabion benches will provide a place for visitors to sit, and native planting will significantly improve the site’s Biodiversity Net Gain.
The collaborative design process involved engagement with Humberfield Archaeology, Hull City Council’s Principal Archaeology and Conservation Officers, The Deep, Hull Maritime, Hull Culture & Leisure, National Highways and Historic England, as well as local residents at public consultation events. These events signalled strong support for the project and helped people feel more engaged with their local heritage.
