GRIMSBY

Legend has it that the town of Grimsby was founded by a Danish fisherman named Grim, who fled to Grimsby to escape a tyrant by the name of Godard. The town seal of Grimsby depicts Grim the fisherman, the town's founder, along with Havelok and Goldborough, joint rulers of Denmark and Britain.In 1848 the coming of the railway changed this medieval fishing port into a great trading centre.

Today, Grimsby fishermen supply fresh fish on a daily basis from the dockside to all over the country.The National Fishing Heritage Centre, behind the Alexandra Dock, opened in 1990 is well worth a visit. Inside, the working conditions on a trawler during the 1950's is recreated to include the engine room, living quarters, the experience of the vessel moving and the coldness of an arctic evening, all with simulated sound effects. You can plot your course around Iceland, haul in the nets, even choose your own job aboard ship - whether as Ship's Captain or Cabin Boy, your voyage will be one to remember.Within a stones throw of the Heritage Centre, you will find the Back O'Doigs Museum. This lively, community museum provides a programme of temporary exhibitions reflecting local life and history.Moored close by, The Ross Tiger, a typical trawler of the period may be explored from bow to stern under the expert guidance of members of the crew.

The Hydraulic Tower, Grimsby, is the county's tallest building with walls four feet thick at the base. It was completed in 1851, and was built to activate ten pairs of lock gates, crossing gates and cranes on the Royal Dock. The listed building which appears on the mayors chain of office is now owned by Associated British Ports.Grimsby handles more fish than any other port in Britain and fish is still slowly smoked in traditional smoke houses around the town. At the entrance to the fish docks, a wall painting can be seen showing fisherman at the docks.