UK seaside destination named ‘one of best in world in 2026’ after £27.5m revamp | UK | News
As the UK experiences darker and colder days, many people will be looking forward to next summer. Some may even be looking to book trips to UK beach resorts to give themselves something to look forward to.
While most tourists opt for more well-known towns such as Brighton, St Ives, Bournemouth and Lyme Regis, travel guides recommend a particular seaside city in 2026. National Geographic He called Hull “one of the world’s best places to travel in 2026”. The advice comes as the port city in East Yorkshire is set to benefit from a £27.5 million investment project focused on promoting its proud maritime history.
The project will be completed in 2026, making Hull particularly attractive to tourists. This includes the reopening of Hull Maritime Museum, which has been closed since 2020, in the spring when it will showcase exhibits from its 800-year history.
The exhibitions will include a ship model of maritime art, as well as a 40-meter whale skeleton. Hull’s modern maritime history will also be highlighted throughout the museum in a bid to inspire future generations.
Other new sites include the North End Dockyard visitor center and two permanently docked museum ships (the 1960s Arctic Corsair cod trawler and the Spurn lightship). They will be opened to the public in phases and will be completed by the summer.
A new Maritime Heritage Trail will also be opened in the city’s Georgian Old Town. The path will highlight green spaces and public art inspired by the city’s ties to the sea.
Alongside cultural and historical attractions, Hull’s Fruit Market area has also been transformed in recent years. It has become a hub of independent cafes and restaurants, with numerous street food markets available to visitors.
Humber Street, located near the marina, is home to a variety of popular independent clothing stores. There is also an art gallery and a number of homeware stores ideal for browsing.
Hull is also considered one of the UK’s cheapest places for beer. The Minerva pub at the top of the marina is famous for its cheap drinks and panoramic views of the River Humber.
About the project, Maritime Hull said: “Hull Maritime is jointly funded by Hull City Council and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. This is a transformational heritage project that draws on Hull’s unique spirit and sense of place. It aims to promote and preserve Hull’s incredible maritime history, architecture and collections.
“As a major scheme in the heart of Hull city centre, the project is born from the success and ambition gained for Hull in 2017, which marked the beginning of its tenure as UK City of Culture. It will build on the benefits brought by the City of Culture, confirming ongoing regeneration and investment and creating a world-class visitor attraction of the future.
“Telling the story of Hull’s remarkable journey as a global powerhouse of trade and cultural exchange, this project will highlight the city’s connections with the rest of the world through its role as a major port.”
