The English seaside towns and cities getting multi-million pound upgrades next year
THERE are many vibrant seaside towns across the UK – but these ones have got some huge upgrades for next year.
VisitEngland has revealed what we can expect from big events to reopened hotels and brand new thrilling attractions.
Hull
Hull is set to be popular next year after the city was named one of ‘best places in the world to travel to in 2026’ by National Geographic.
This is mostly thanks to its ongoing project to conserve its maritime history.
Since 2020, the Maritime Museum has been undergoing a huge revamp worth £11million, but it will finally reopen to the public next year.
This has been part of a wider £27.5 million project to promote Hull’s maritime history which has gone into restoring the museum and ships.
The Hull Maritime Museum will reopen in spring 2026 with new exhibits which explore its 800 year history.
When it reopens, you can expect to see a ship model of maritime art and a 40-foot whale skeleton.
The city also has its own showbiz trail for tourists, a famous and very big minster as well as an interactive dinosaur museum.
Morecambe
The seaside town of Morecambe will be celebrating in 2026 as it will mark the 100th birthday of Eric Morecambe.
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The comedian grew up in the town and he took his stage name from it and celebrations with a comedy extravaganza in his honour will start in May next year.
Meanwhile in January, Morecambe will host The Bay International Film Festival with live cinema screenings and awards.
One of the major focuses of the festival will be ‘Stories Beyond Borders’ – a competition to choose the best ‘visually captivating and thought-provoking short films from around the world’.
The festival will run from January 23 to February 1, 2026.
Blackpool
Of course Blackpool is renowned for its Pleasure Beach theme park and this year marks its 130th birthday.
Next year, the attraction is set to open its new Aviktas “gyro swing” ride: a giant spinning pendulum.
It will be first of its kind in the UK and will stand at 138 feet.
The ride will feature a giant spinning pendulum that will swing 120 degrees and seat 40 riders at a time.
Riders’ legs will dangle giving them the feeling of flying.
There are other swinging pendulum rides in the UK already, but Blackpool‘s will tower higher.
The town’s Royal Carlton Hotel will also be restored to its former glory in a multi-million pound refurbishment.
It sits on the beachfront and has been closed since last year for the upgrades which will be to all 40 rooms, as well as the bar and restaurant.
Folkestone
In the Kent coastal town of Folkestone, the heritage Leas Lift cliff railway will reopen in spring of 2026.
The Grade II listed funicular railway first opened in 1885 and is one of the only three remaining water-balanced cliff lifts in the UK.
It has been closed since 2017, but will reopen next year so locals and tourists will be able to ride between the seafront and promenade.
There will also be a new café and community space in the Lower Station, and experience fresh exhibitions telling the story of this unique piece of seaside heritage.
Southport
Southport is having a year of entertainment as the historic seaside town is hosting a year-long programme of circus, theatre, art and music performances.
In February the town will hold Lightport – an immersive light and sound installation which will cast rainbows across the town.
At the beginning of April will be Cristal Palace where the world-renowned French street theatre company Transe Express will bring its spectacular show Cristal Palace to Lord Street .
There’s a 15-metre-wide flying chandelier – and the street will transform into an open air ballroom with live music, aerial performances and dance.
The Big Top Festival will see the circus take over Southport and you can watch this happen in May 2026.
There will be juggling performances, performances on open-air stages, live music and workshops.
In October will be Books Alive! a literature festival with a twist as storytelling comes to life with live performances and author-led workshops.
It’s during half-term so children can go along and enjoy their favourite novels in real-time.
All events are completely free for locals and tourists to visit.
Here are even more seaside happenings for 2026…
The 20th instalment of the Isles of Scilly’s Walk Scilly festival will kick off in April.
The 200th year of Cowes Week sailing regatta on the Isle of Wight in August and it’s also the 90th birthday of Butlin’s.
London’s Southbank Centre marks its 75th anniversary, with its A Poet in Every Port project which will see the National Poetry Library hit the road, bringing year-round performances and workshops to seaside towns including South Shields, Southend, Great Yarmouth and Penzance.
The final sections of the King Charles III England Coast Path are due to open in spring, when it will become the world’s longest continual seaside hiking route: a whopping 2,700 miles (4,498km) running the length of England’s coast.
For more seaside towns – find out the favourites of the Sun Travel team that are less than 90 minutes from London with Banksy art and award-winning beaches.
And discover the English seaside town that’s better in autumn with London-worthy restaurants and new hotels.