First World War Memorial And Attached Railings

The First World War Memorial in Hull (listed as First World War Memorial and attached railings) stands on Paragon Square in the centre of Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire. The listed monument is also known as the Kingston upon Hull War Memorial or Hull Cenotaph, and it serves as the city's main tribute to those who died between 1914 and 1918.

Which memorial is this?

The registry name is generic, because Hull has many street shrines, name tablets and local war memorials. This entry refers to one monument: the one on Paragon Square, in the Myton area. It was designed by T. Harold Hughes, dated 1923 and put up in 1924.

It is built of granite and Portland stone. The main element is a slim pylon on a stepped base, with a separate pedestal standing in front of it. Low bronze railings run along the front, and they are protected together with the memorial.

How is it protected?

The memorial and its railings are on the National Heritage List for England under entry 1291989, at Grade II. They were listed on 21 January 1994, and the entry was updated in 2017. Grade II marks a building of special interest, and it is the category that covers the large majority of listed structures in England.

How do you get there?

Paragon Square sits in central Hull, next to Paragon railway station. From the station it is a walk of a few minutes, and from the Old Town it takes roughly 10 to 15 minutes on foot. The memorial is in a public space, with no tickets and no opening hours. Coordinates are about 53.744 N, 0.344 W.

What should you see, and how long do you need?

Walk up to the monument to take in the shape of the pylon, the texture of the granite and the detail of the bronze railings. Most visitors spend 10 to 20 minutes here, and it combines easily with a stroll through the city centre, where most of Hull's sights are within walking distance.

Around 11 November, Remembrance Day, services are held at the memorial and wreaths are laid. It is a good time to see how the local community honours the fallen, though you should expect more people.

FAQ

Where exactly is the memorial?

On Paragon Square in central Hull, in the Myton area beside Paragon station.

When was it built?

The design is dated 1923, and the memorial was erected in 1924.

Who designed it, and what is it made of?

T. Harold Hughes designed it. The structure is granite and Portland stone, and the railings are bronze.

Is there an entry fee?

No. It stands in a public space and can be viewed at any time.

Is it the only war memorial in Hull?

No. The city has many other tablets and wartime memorials, but this is its principal memorial to the dead of 1914 to 1918.