How old children should be to attend Hull Fair on their own

It is well known as an attraction for all the family but at what stage should children be allowed to visit Hull Fair on their own?

There comes a point in every young teen's life when they want to loosen, if not cut the apron strings entirely and enjoy freedom from parental involvement. Hull Fair is one such occasion, when groups of young people want to go it alone.

However, it is a tricky subject and a situation that needs careful consideration. Some children mature more quickly than others and can be trusted to be responsible; others not so much.

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The conversation will no doubt be striking up soon, if it has not already, in Hull households with youngsters saying they want to to be off the bright lights of Hull Fair on their own in 2024. Times are different now, of course, with the ease of contact that people have with mobile phones and tracking apps so that parents can keep an eye on things remotely.

Back in 2017, Hull Live asked parents for their views on kids going to Hull Fair and what age they felt was appropriate for striking out to Walton Street alone. It certainly divided opinion then.

The youngest age parents said they let their children go the fair alone was 13. Other parents thought that this was far too young and they would not let their offspring go alone until they reached 16 or 17.

The responses from the survey then are below. If you share any of the same opinions or think very differently in 2024, let us know in the comments.

Samantha Carter said: "I let my daughter, 13 nearly 14 and her friend go to fair last night. An adult dropped off in the car and picked back up."

Emma Anderson said: "I was allowed at 13 so about the same age." Sharon Kemp said: "Mine went at 13 but there was a big group of them all going together.

"They all had their mobiles with them so if at any point they did get separated they could get in touch with each other and they had a meeting point at the fair in case any of them did happen to get lost."

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Joanne Smith said: "My 12 year old wanted to go. I said no, maybe next year, but its hard because all his other friends are allowed to go." Other parents said they didn't think it was safe to send children younger than 16 on their own.

Steve Munn said: "Just about each day the fair has been on I have seen a Humberside Police appeal for a missing teenager, some of which were last seen at fair. As long as my daughters are 'children' they will not be allowed to go to fair without an adult. It should be about a family experience anyway."

Andie Wilkinson said: "18, but only with close friends and if they ring me each half hour. There are too many awful people out there."

Sabrina Bee Greenley said: "Never. It's far too dangerous for them. My 14 year old old was allowed to bring a friend with her this year as a compromise. Unfortunately my daughter thinks she knows it all and is a bit naive to the world around her."

Other parents said the age depended on many factors including which other children they were going with and what time their curfew was. How children get to and from the fair was also a factor.

Gemma Donkin said: "It all depends on many things. What time they go? How they're getting there and back, who with. It depends on the child. I don't think there is an answer."