Hull (and surrounding Yorkshire region near Star Carr)
Photo: Tim Green from Bradford, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Hull, officially Kingston upon Hull, is a port city in East Yorkshire, England, situated where the River Hull meets the Humber Estuary. The city covers approximately 71 square kilometers and serves as the region's major urban center, with a population of around 260,000 people. While Hull itself is primarily a modern industrial and cultural hub, the surrounding Yorkshire region contains significant archaeological sites, most notably Star Carr located about 50 miles to the north. The area's flat, marshy landscape and proximity to waterways has made it an important settlement location for millennia, though Hull as a city was formally established in the medieval period. Some theorists have pointed to 2016 sightings of a purported "Flixton Werewolf"—a bipedal wolf-human hybrid reported in the Hull area—alongside local UFO reports as potential evidence of an extraterrestrial shape-shifter. Mainstream researchers attribute such sightings to misidentification of known animals or the continuation of centuries-old British werewolf folklore rather than anomalous phenomena. The Yorkshire region's rich archaeological record, particularly nearby Star Carr, documents genuine human-animal relationships dating back thousands of years, though through conventional archaeological evidence rather than cryptid encounters.
Timeline
Hull established as a port town by monks from Meaux Abbey
Edward I grants Hull a royal charter, renaming it Kingston upon Hull
Multiple reported sightings of the 'Flixton Werewolf' cryptid near Hull
Hull designated UK City of Culture
What the Show Claims
- ›Nearly a dozen 2016 sightings of the 'Flixton Werewolf' near Hull — described as a bipedal wolf-human hybrid reportedly feasting on dogs — combined with local UFO activity, suggest a real shape-shifting non-human entity possibly of extraterrestrial originS15E09
Theorist Takes
“We have ufo activity and what would be werewolf activity in europe, particularly in yorkshire. And so, we have to wonder, is there some connection between ufo activity and these shape-shifters?”
From the Transcripts
“In 2016, nearly a dozen sightings of the flixton werewolf were reported in the nearby town of hull, just 50 miles south of star carr.”
What Archaeology Says
The Hull region itself contains limited ancient archaeological remains due to its relatively recent urban development and the marshy nature of the terrain. However, the broader Yorkshire area is rich with prehistoric sites, including the famous Star Carr Mesolithic site approximately 50 miles north, which has yielded evidence of human occupation dating back over 11,000 years. Archaeological investigations in the Hull vicinity have primarily focused on medieval and post-medieval remains related to the city's development as a major port.
The 'Flixton Werewolf' represents a modern cryptozoological phenomenon rather than an archaeological discovery. The creature was reportedly sighted multiple times in 2016 in areas around Hull and the nearby village of Flixton, with witnesses describing a large, bipedal wolf-like entity. These accounts drew on centuries-old British werewolf folklore, which has deep roots in Anglo-Saxon and medieval traditions throughout Yorkshire and northern England.
No systematic scientific investigation has been conducted regarding the cryptid sightings, and mainstream researchers generally categorize such reports as misidentifications of known animals, hoaxes, or manifestations of local folklore. The connection between these sightings and UFO activity in the region remains entirely speculative, with no documented evidence linking the phenomena. The reports align with broader patterns of cryptid sightings that often emerge in rural or semi-rural areas with strong folkloric traditions.
What remains genuinely intriguing is the persistence of shapeshifter legends throughout British history and their modern manifestations. While the physical evidence for creatures like the Flixton Werewolf is absent, the cultural and psychological aspects of such sightings continue to interest folklorists and anthropologists studying contemporary mythology and urban legends.
Mysteries & Fun Facts
Hull was the UK City of Culture in 2017, hosting over 2,800 cultural events throughout the year
The city's telephone boxes were traditionally cream-colored rather than red, making Hull unique among UK cities
Hull's port has been a major gateway to Northern Europe for over 800 years
The Flixton Werewolf sightings occurred in an area known for its medieval associations with wolves and wild hunting traditions
Planning a Visit
Hull is easily accessible by road and rail from major UK cities, with regular train services from London, Manchester, and Leeds. The city center offers various museums, galleries, and historic areas for exploration, though visitors specifically interested in the cryptid phenomena would need to venture into the surrounding countryside areas where sightings were reported.
Hull serves as the major urban center for the region, with Leeds approximately 60 miles to the west.
Spring through early autumn offers the best weather for exploring both Hull and the surrounding Yorkshire countryside. Summer months provide the longest daylight hours for any outdoor investigation or sightseeing.
Featured Locations3 sites within this area
Rudston Monolith
United KingdomYorkshire (East and North Yorkshire Wolds / Bempton Cliffs)
United KingdomWilly Howe
United KingdomRelated Sites
Crop Circle Phenomenon Sites (Britain)
Both locations involve unexplained phenomena in the British countryside that have attracted attention from Ancient Aliens theorists
Silbury Hill
This ancient artificial hill in Wiltshire represents another mysterious British site with connections to alleged supernatural or extraterrestrial activity
Avebury Stone Circle
Like the Hull area, Avebury is a British location where ancient mysteries intersect with modern unexplained phenomena and folklore