Situated in North East Lincolnshire, Grimsby is a busy market town, with a rich fishing heritage. Close to the coast in Cleethorpes, this busy port is full of things to see and do. From the modern town centre to the historic docks, there’s more to Grimsby than you may think!
This vibrant town boasts a great shopping district and an abundance of attractions and activities. As a nod to the town’s heritage, there’s a growing food and drink scene here, with fresh food markets taking place every week. There are a plethora of cafes and restaurants to try – many of which offer fresh seafood, with zero food miles.
Fishing heritage
To sample seafood straight from the smokehouse, you can also visit Alfred Enderby. With over 100 years’ experience, this is one of the oldest independent traditional fish smokers in the UK. Famed for their award-winning smoked salmon and haddock, this family-run business have been smoking fish in Grimsby since 1918 – and still uses the same smokehouse today.
If you’re keen to learn more about the history of Grimsby, the Fishing Heritage Centre is a must-visit. This award-winning museum offers you the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of a 1950s fisherman. Immersive exhibitions will allow you to imagine what it was like to prepare for a treacherous journey across the North Sea, and return home to comfort of the pub!
The history of Grimsby
Grimsby is situated on the River Haven, which connects to the Humber. The town is thought to date back to 866AD, when it was founded by Norse invaders as they passed through on their way to York.
Due to its location, Grimsby had long provided a dock for ships to shelter from approaching storms. Ideally placed to exploit the rich fishing grounds in the North Sea, the town naturally developed into a small but busy port. Although fish was Grimsby’s main trade, ships also brought timber from Norway, wine from Spain and France, and coal from Newcastle.
Around the 15th century, the River Haven began to silt up; ships were unable to dock and the town fell into decline. It wasn’t until the 19th century that things started to change for Grimsby. The river underwent significant enhancements, and the port boomed, importing iron, timber, wheat, hemp, and flax.
The introduction of the railway in 1848 took transport and trade to another level, connecting Grimsby to the renowned fish markets of London. By the 1950s, Grimsby fish had become renowned nationwide; the demand grew to such an extent that Grimsby became the largest fishing port in the world.
Although it no longer holds that title, Grimsby is still able to utilize its strategic location. The town is now home to the world’s largest operations and maintenance port for offshore wind energy.
