Walk the Coast
Launch of King Charles III England Coast Path, Nationwide
March 2026
The King Charles III England Coast Path has now launched and is the world’s longest managed coastal walking route, clocking in at 2,700 miles. Stretching the coastline of England, the route contains more than 1,000 miles of new paths as well as improvements to existing trails helping to make the path accessible to all regardless of age or mobility. Passing through some of the country’s most varied landscapes, from salt marshes and sandy beaches to cliffs, dunes and historic coastal towns, as well as some of our most iconic coastal landmarks – from Bamburgh Castle to St Michael’s Mount – the path will ensure access to the coast for future generations. About 80% of the route is now open and most of the rest of the path is due to be completed by the end of the year.
Seven Sisters named England’s newest National Nature Reserve, Sussex
March 2026
The iconic Seven Sisters cliffs have been formally named as England’s newest National Nature Reserve. Home to globally rare habitats, the area will now be better protected and restored for nature, people and wildlife species including the chalkhill blue butterfly, the bee orchid and birds such as the yellowhammer bird and skylark. Sitting within the South Downs National Park, the Seven Sisters cliffs continue to inspire visitors to the coast and feature in popular culture and films such as Wicked, Atonement, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. It is also part of the newly inaugurated King Charles III England Coast Path, a continuous trail allowing walkers to explore England’s shoreline step by step.
20th anniversary of Walk Scilly festival, Isles of Scilly
10 – 19 April 2026
With guided hikes, swims, talks and events throughout the five inhabited Isles of Scilly, the ten-day outdoor-focussed Walk Scilly festival will be bigger than ever before, as it marks its 20th anniversary this year. Visitors can enjoy heritage walks with islanders, wildlife watching with the Wildlife Trust, shipwreck and lighthouse tours, and coastal swimming races – all while soaking up the islands’ famously mild spring weather.
Coast to Coast Path National Trail upgrades complete, Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors
Spring 2026
With the iconic acorn symbol guiding the way, the Coast to Coast Path National Trail will officially launch this spring, linking England’s west coast on the Irish Sea to its east coast on the North Sea. As the setting for David Nicholls latest novel, You Are Here (which is reportedly being adapted into a TV series), the 192-mile trail takes in some of northern England’s finest landscapes including the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors National Parks. The trail will see new signage and surfacing as well as improved access-for-all upgrades.
New trails and access: Viking Way & Lincolnshire Coast Path, Lincolnshire
Throughout 2026
Lincolnshire will celebrate two major milestones for walkers and nature lovers in 2026. The Viking Way, a 149-mile route running from the Humber Bridge to Rutland, turns 50 this year, following two years of improvements along the Lincolnshire stretch. Passing through the Lincolnshire Wolds National Landscape and the city of Lincoln, the trail can be tackled in its entirety or enjoyed in shorter sections, with “Viking Way Shorts” offering circular walks from 1.5 to 3 miles. Easter 2026 will also see the launch of four all-terrain mobility scooters and nine beach wheelchairs – provided free of charge. Hire sites will include RSPB Frampton Marsh, the North Sea Observatory at Chapel Point, the new National Trust Sandilands Nature Reserve and the Colonnade at Sutton on Sea.
New walking holiday: Five-night North Yorkshire Coast & Country tour with Ramble Worldwide
Departing May, July & September 2026.
New for 2026, this North Yorkshire guided walking holiday is based in the coastal village of Robin Hood’s Bay and combines scenic coastal walks along Section One of the King Charles III England Coast Path with moorland walks across the North York Moors. Explore dramatic cliffs and quaint seaside towns such as Whitby, Staithes and Runswick Bay, as well as inland highlights including Roseberry Topping and the striking Hole of Horcum. The trip includes comfortable half-board hotel accommodation, transport to walk start points and the guidance of an experienced tour leader.
New Coastal Attractions & Seaside Experiences
New: The UK’s largest beach spa opens, Folkstone, Kent
March 2026
Folkestone seafront is now the setting for the UK’s largest beach spa. Sea Scrub Spa features two wood-fired saunas – the Scandinavian and the Shepherd’s Hut – along with a communal cold plunge tank, a hot tub and a full café serving a Japanese lunch menu for a post-plunge bite, coffee or cocktail. Additional locations include Margate Main Sands, Whitstable Harbour and Macknade in Faversham, offering events such as Full Moon and New Moon Ceremonies (17 April, Margate).
Hilsea Lido relaunch in Portsmouth, Hampshire
2 May 2026
The historic Hilsea Lido in Portsmouth will re-open this spring following an extensive renovation project. The new community hub will offer invigorating swims, soul-soothing sauna sessions, family activities, on-site eateries and energising events. Designed for accessibility and flexibility, Hilsea Lido will champion the benefits of open water swimming for all in a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment.
New Mersey Ferry Vessel, Liverpool
Spring 2026
A brand new Mersey Ferry vessel will take to Liverpool’s waters this spring – named the Royal Daffodil, it will be the first addition to the Mersey Ferries fleet for more than 60 years. Featuring modern interiors, an open-plan layout and fully accessible facilities, the boat will offer a fresh way to enjoy one of Britain’s most iconic river crossings, with panoramic views of the UNESCO-listed waterfront and beyond. Evening cruises on the Mersey are now available to book taking in sunset views over the Wirral as well as the city, against a backdrop of live music and DJ sets.
Unveiling of new £30m Maritime City, Hull, East Yorkshire
Spring 2026
Giving a first glimpse of Hull’s new-look maritime attractions, the Spurn Lightship – which guided ships safely through the treacherous River Humber for almost 50 years – reopened as a floating museum on 7 March, to be followed by the newly-revamped Queen’s Gardens in spring. Later in the year (scheduled for summer), the Arctic Corsair – Hull’s last sidewinder trawler – will also open to the public after undergoing an extensive renovation. It’s all part of the ambitious five-year £30m Hull Maritime project, which will include the refurbished Maritime Museum, featuring new galleries and visitor facilities: set to open in summer. In recognition of the extensive cultural project, National Geographic has named Hull one of its Best Places in the World to Travel to in 2026.
Folkstone’s iconic Cliff Railway to reopen, Kent
Spring 2026
Kent’s colourful seaside town of Folkestone will see the reopening of its much-loved heritage Leas Lift which has been closed since 2017. Following additional funding from the National Lottery, the £4.8m repairs and renovations will restore the Grade II listed hillside railway to its former glory with improved accessibility, a new café and an exhibition showcasing its history.
New SOBO Beach Sauna on Southbourne Beach, Dorset
Summer 2026
A handcrafted communal sauna designed for up to 25 guests, along with an upper-deck seating area for post-sauna relaxation and sea views, is due to launch on Dorset’s Southbourne Beach this summer. A collaboration between the SOBO Beach hospitality team and The Saltwater Sauna, this project is part of a wider “wellness” transformation for the Southbourne shoreline. SOBO Beach offers health-focused activities throughout the week, including run clubs, beach cleans and al fresco yoga.
Coastal Celebrations and Anniversaries
130 years of Blackpool Pleasure Beach and 40 years of Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool
Re-opened for the season in March 2026
This year marks the 130th anniversary of one of England’s most iconic amusement parks; Blackpool Pleasure Beach, founded in 1896 by American entrepreneur William George Bean. His vision of thrilling rides for young and old remains true, with ten rollercoasters and five water rides, including the high-speed twists of ICON and the award-winning spills of Valhalla. To celebrate this landmark occasion all tickets to the park are half price for March. The park will also debut a brand-new ride later this year – the Aviktas “gyro swing”. The first ride of its kind in the UK, Aviktas riders will face outwards, with legs dangling, as this gigantic spinning pendulum delivers “world-class height, speed and breathtaking angles” that will feel like flying through the air.Also this year, Blackpool’s Sandcastle Waterpark – the UK’s biggest indoor waterpark – will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a £500,000 refurbishment programme.
Scarborough 400, North Yorkshire
Throughout 2026
Scarborough is celebrating a landmark year in 2026, as it marks 400 years since the discovery of its spa waters which helped establish the town as one of England’s first seaside resorts. Throughout the year, the town will host numerous events including; Big Ideas by the Sea (15 – 30 May) offering inspiring talks, live performances, exhibitions and free activities; Scarborough Seafest (17 – 19 July) hosting live music and chef demos; and the Scarborough 400 Giant Deckchair Trail (27 June – 31 August) – a story-telling experience running throughout town, taking in major North and South Bay landmarks, each one marked with an oversized deckchair.
New Seaham Hall Coastal Walking Tour and 25 years of Durham’s Heritage Coast, Durham
Spring 2026
2026 marks 25 years since the Durham coastline became a Heritage Coast, recognised for its dramatic restoration from former industrial use into one of England’s most beautiful and ecologically important shores. Also celebrating its 25th anniversary, Seaham Hall has launched ‘Seaham Stories: A Coastal Walking Tour’ this spring, which will guide visitors though the heritage and coastal beauty that has shaped Seaham through the years. Additionally in April (4th), Seaham Hall Beach will host a Seashore Safari for visitors to discover rockpool marine life and help comb the sands for ‘mermaid’s purse’ - egg cases of sharks, skates and rays.
Southport Year of Culture: Southport 2026, Southport
April / May and throughout the year
Southport 2026 marks the town’s first ever Year of Culture, a year-long celebration with art installations, shows and festivals galore. Following its February launch, Cristal Palace (3 & 4 April) will see renowned French street theatre company Transe Express transform the town into an open-air ballroom, complete with flying chandelier, aerial performances and live music. Other must-sees includes modern circus hijinks at Big Top (2 – 4 May), the UK’s largest independent flower show Southport Flower Show (20 – 23 August) and author workshops and literary-themed fun at new family-friendly literature festival Books Alive! (24 – 31 October).
200th anniversary of Berwick Lighthouse, Northumberland
Throughout 2026
First lit on 17 October 1826, the iconic Berwick Lighthouse will celebrate its bicentennial in 2026. The Harbour Commissioners and The Maltings (Berwick) Trust are working together to deliver a year of coastal celebrations in 2026 to mark two major anniversaries – the 200th anniversary of Berwick Lighthouse and the 150th birthday of the Tweed Dock.
90th anniversary of Butlins, West Sussex, Somerset and Lincolnshire
April and throughout 2026
Happy birthday to Butlins, which will blow out 90 candles this April. To celebrate, expect a full calendar of family entertainment across its three holiday resorts in Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness. This Easter Maximum Pro Wrestling will present a wrestling show with celebrity guests and edge-of-your-seat drama galore. Plus, The Masked Singer Live returns with new disguises, new songs and new mystery celebs. A full firework and laser show on 11 April will conclude the birthday weekend grand finale with more celebrations continuing throughout the year.
Jurassic Coast celebrates 25 years as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Dorset & East Devon
18 April and throughout 2026
One of England’s natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Jurassic Coast, will mark its 25th anniversary in 2026. Stretching 95 miles from Exmouth to Studland Bay, this iconic coastline is famed for its dramatic cliffs and fossil-rich beaches. Expect special events, guided walks and exhibitions throughout the year to celebrate a quarter-century of global recognition, including the World Heritage Day Festival on 18th April. Visitors will experience a full‑day celebration showcasing Dorset’s natural and cultural heritage through talks, tours, hands‑on activities and family‑friendly workshops.
Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday celebrates ‘England’s natural landscapes’ in BBC schedule
8 May 2026
The world’s most famous naturalist, Sir David Attenborough, turns 100 on 8 May and the BBC has commissioned a series of new shows to celebrate the landmark occasion and his extraordinary career – showcasing many of England’s landscapes and the nature they behold. Programmes include; Making Life on Earth: Attenborough’s Greatest Adventure, which will reflect on the ground-breaking series Life on Earth; Secret Garden, where Attenborough reveals the hidden world of wildlife thriving within Britain’s gardens; and David Attenborough’s 100 Years on Planet Earth, a celebratory live event from the Royal Albert Hall with special guests. Notably Attenborough’s Wild Isles series brought to life the natural wealth of Britain’s coastal geology, shining a light on the famous Farne Island puffin colonies of Northumberland, which return every spring to breed, and the grey seals of Blakeney Point, Norfolk, who congregate to give birth annually.
100 years of Eric Morecambe, Morecambe, Lancashire
14 May 2026
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of notable comedian Eric Morecambe – and the town he was born in (and named himself after) is getting ready to celebrate. There will be events throughout the year to celebrate Eric and his lasting impact on the world of comedy and theatre, culminating in a large-scale special gathering on his birthday, 14 May, where a blend of free and ticketed festivities will take place. These will include a special film screening of That Riviera Touch, and An Evening with Eric and Ern direct from the London’s West End, bringing the comedy duo’s sketches and songs to life.
75th anniversary of the Southbank Centre with A Poet in Every Port, nationwide
From May 2026
2026 marks 75 years of the Royal Festival Hall, the first chapter in the Southbank Centre’s story. Outside London, a national outreach programme will bring anniversary events to more than 40 UK towns and cities: highlights include a touring poetry library in ten coastal locations. A Poet in Every Port will see the National Poetry Library hit the road, bringing year-round performances and workshops to seaside towns including Blackpool, South Shields, Southend, Great Yarmouth and Penzance.
Portsmouth 100: centenary of the city of Portsmouth, Hampshire
9 May and throughout 2026
Portsmouth will celebrate a century of its city status this year, with a full calendar of events. Designed to put the city’s local talents in the spotlight, highlights will include a concert of Music in Portsmouth presented by Portsmouth Cathedral at Portsmouth Guildhall (9 May) and a new sculpture trail.
Coastal Events, Exhibitions and Festivals
Reopening of Southampton City Art Gallery, Hampshire
Launched March 2026
Following a refurbishment programme, Southampton City Art Gallery reopened on 7 March 2026, launching with a series of new displays including the exhibition by acclaimed British artist Emma Richardson titled ‘Levitate Me: Desire, Ecstasy and The Sublime’. Visitors will be able to experience the native Sotonian’s signature series of new oil paintings which continue Richardson’s ‘exploration of desire, euphoria and the awe-inspiring natural world through a female lens’. Admissions will remain free.
Experience an original Monet masterpiece at Grundy Art Gallery in Blackpool, Lancashire
28 March – 13 June 2026
Blackpool’s Grundy Art Gallery will make art history this March as it welcomes a must-see masterpiece from the world-renowned artist Claude Monet to the North West for the very first time. From 28 March to 13 June, visitors will have the rare opportunity to fully experience Monet’s ‘The Petit Bras of the Seine at Argenteuil’ (1872) in person as part of the National Gallery Masterpiece Tour 2025–2027, also visiting Hull’s Ferens Art Gallery (19 June – 13 September).
David Hockney at the Turner Contemporary, Margate, Kent
1 April – 1 November 2026
In addition to his free exhibition at London’s Serpentine Gallery (13 March – 23 August), David Hockney will be displaying his work, titled David Hockney: Sunley Window 2026 at the Turner Contemporary in Margate from April. The gallery, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, will host a brand new ‘floor-to-ceiling’ window installation based on an iPad painting the artist created in 2020, depicting a sunrise in Normandy as part of a huge body of work responding to the changing seasons, weather and light. It will be the first time that a major work by Hockney is on display in the seaside town and a rare opportunity to see a piece by the artist outside of London.
Brighton Festival celebrates 60th anniversary, East Sussex
1 – 25 May 2026
May marks a momentous milestone for Brighton Festival as it celebrates 60 years of world-class performance in Brighton, as well as the 40th edition of the Children’s Parade in 2026. Hundreds of events will be taking place across the city, including Carnation, a large-scale immersive circus experience about hope in rebellion.
Paddle UK SUPER Festival & ICF SUP World Cup, English Riviera
24 – 28 May 2026
Torquay, Paignton and Brixham will host the Paddle UK SUPER Festival alongside the ICF SUP World Cup, bringing around 200 elite stand-up paddleboard athletes to the UK for the first time. As well as the professional events on the coast’s sheltered bays, the five-day programme will include taster sessions for beginner paddlers, community paddles, workshops and live entertainment.
Circus heritage revived at The Ice House Circus School in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk
28 – 30 May 2026
The Ice House, the permanent home of Out There Arts, an acclaimed circus and performing arts association, will stage an expanded events programme in 2026. Blending heritage and innovation, the Grade II listed venue is a UK hub for the circus art form, staging regular circus workshops, community engagement programmes and performances from emerging talents, with a bar and visitor space. The Ice House will also form a large part of the annual Out There Festival which will take place from 28 to 30 May. Spread across multiple days and venues, artistic companies from a multitude of countries will produce a largely free mishmash of quirky comedy combined with quality performances.
New Lovebox Presented by Dreamland Margate, Kent
29 & 30 May 2026
Lovebox Presented by Dreamland is a new event concept masterminded by the original Lovebox festival crew and the team behind Margate’s Dreamland. Taking place on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 May, Lovebox Presented by Dreamland is hosting a ‘seaside edition’. Confirmed acts include Scissor Sisters, Rudimental, Armand Van Helden, Friendly Fires, and Groove Armada. Beyond Lovebox, 2026 will see some of the biggest names in music headline Dreamland’s Scenic Stage throughout the year, including artists such as Tom Grennan, Paul Weller, The Kooks, Fatboy Slim, The Flaming Lips and Bastille.
New Summer Fest at the Beach in Weston-Super-Mare, North Somerset
5 – 7 June 2026
Summer Fest at the Beach is a new major music festival taking over Weston-Super-Mare in June for three unforgettable days of sun, sand, and sound. Acts including Razorlight, Feeder, The Hoosiers, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Dizzee Rascal, Craig David Presents TS5, Scouting for Girls and Diversity have already been announced to perform at the open-air beach venue where you’ll also find fairground rides, food stalls and beach bars.
£10million redevelopments at Unity Beach in Brean, North Somerset
Summer 2026
Updates to the Unity Splash waterpark, including two more outside pool areas, a lazy river and a board walk, are part of the £10million redevelopment being unveiled at Unity Beach Holiday Park in Brean on the North Somerset coast Other recent upgrades to the holiday park include new dining spots, a trampoline park and dog agility park. The site is located on Brean beach which stretches for seven miles and is known as one of the UK’s longest beaches.
For further English coast inspiration visit VisitEngland’s Best Beaches and Coast Breaks hub for itineraries, local tips and more.