10 facts you might not know about Grimsby
For those who want to know more about our great town
Last updated 2nd Mar 2021
Primarily known for its fishing heritage, the North East Lincolnshire town of Grimsby has a lot more to offer than just a bit of fish. Upon visiting you’ll be greeted by a witty sense of humour and a ‘can do’ attitude. Here are ten things you might not know about our hometown...
1. Grimsby was founded by the Danes in the 9th century AD
The old Danish word for village was 'by' and this one was probably Grim's by or Grimmr's - and that's how we get the name Grimsby!
2. Grimsby is in the infamous Doomsday Book
The 1086 Doomsday Book features Grimsby as having a recorded population of 32.5 households, putting it in the largest 40% of settlements recorded in the book.
3. Elton John sang a song about Grimsby
In 1974, Elton John Elton recorded a track called Grimsby. Written by Bernie Taupin about his teenage years in the town, the lyrics are:
'Oh oh Grimsby, a thousand delights, couldn't match the sweet sights of my Grimsby. Oh England you're fair but there's none to compare with my Grimsby.'
4. Grimsby was once the host to the largest fishing fleet
During Grimsby's peak, 400 trawlers were based in the port.
5. Our football team, Grimsby Town FC, always play away
Grimsby Town FC do not play in Grimsby but instead their ground Blundell Park is in Cleethorpes.
6. Grimsby is described as having the 'first truly modern dock in Britain'
Author Gordon Jackson described the development of Grimsby’s port in the 1800s as representing the ‘first truly modern dock in Britain' due to application of communication and engineering technologies in the creation of the Royal Dock.
Grimsby docks would get so packed with ships that you could walk across from one side of the largest dock to the other side, just by going from one ship deck to the other!
7. The Grimsby Dock Tower was made using one million bricks
Opened by Queen Victoria in 1854, the Dock Tower has been an icon ever since. It was made in order to create water pressure to power hydraulic machinery at Grimsby Docks.
8. There's a lego model of the Grimsby Dock Tower
You can see if if you visit Legoland in Windsor. There's even a petition to try and get it available as an official lego set
9. We're called Grimbarians
For those who don't know, people of Grimsby are called Grimbarians!
10. We once held a record for pizza
Back in 1998 there were more pizzas made in Grimsby than anywhere else in Europe, including Italy!
How to listen to Greatest Hits Radio Grimsby
You can listen on DAB digital radio, online at www.greatesthitsradio.co.uk, or via the Greatest Hits Radio app. You can also listen on your smart speaker by saying 'Alexa, ask Greatest Hits Radio to play Grimsby', or 'Play Greatest Hits Radio on tune-in' on Google Home.
Listen to Greatest Hits Radio here