THE HUMBER TAVERN, PAULL

Paull has been in people’s minds for two reasons recently. This small, oftmocked burgh on the north bank of the Humber is seen by many in neighbouring Hull as the odd outpost where their odder uncle mysteriously retired to, but in 2017 it has enjoyed a very funny reference in Richard Bean’s hit play The Hypocrite and was apparently far-and-away the best place to watch the fireworks on the opening night of City of Culture. While most people fought to get their hands on the 25,000 tickets available on Hull’s marina, many just did the sensible thing and went to the Paull riverfront. And the best spot was the Humber Tavern beer garden.

The pub has seen tough times over recent years but is now being enthusiastically and efficiently run by mother-and-daughter team Sally and Emma Hunter. They offer an extensive menu featuring plenty of pub classics with locally sourced ingredients. It’s all hearty and reasonably-priced and can be enjoyed either in the dedicated dining room or you can join in the banter in the dog-friendly bar.

Best of all, an extensive new decking area has been installed in the beer garden to enable punters to enjoy an uninterrupted 180 degree view along the river. The panorama stretches from the Humber Bridge, past Hull and the docks, and you only miss seeing Spurn Point because of an inconvenientlyplaced bend in the river. Even when there aren’t fireworks, it’s an impressive sight.

The Humber Tavern, 70 Main Street, Paull, HU12 8AL. 01482 899347, humbertavern.co.uk