“Explore cycling, canoeing, surfing, fashion, culture, and art, topped with an aerial adventure at Principality Stadium.”
“Discovering the Yorkshire coast by bicycle is becoming more accessible. Route YC, dedicated to promoting the Yorkshire coast, has collaborated with prominent adventure cyclists to introduce a set of new cycling routes in January. These routes, ranging from nine to 260 miles, cater to visitors of all skill levels, encouraging them to explore off the traditional paths using gravel, touring, and road bikes.”
From Scarborough, a circular route and shorter day rides emanate from coastal towns like Whitby, Filey, Bridlington, Hornsea, Withernsea, and the North York Moors village of Grosmont. Additionally, there’s a bikepacking weekender route starting in Whitby and a touring route tracing the coast from the Hull ferry terminal to Staithes, north of Whitby. Route maps and accommodation details will be available on the Route YC website by January 31.
Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire will host “Icons of British Fashion,” a major fashion exhibition starting in March. This event, marking the palace’s largest in its 300-year history, will exhibit works from renowned British designers like Vivienne Westwood, Stella McCartney, Lulu Guinness, Bruce Oldfield, and Temperley London. The showcase includes clothing, accessories, archival materials, drawings, photographs, and patterns displayed in the state rooms alongside Blenheim’s priceless art collection. The exhibition runs from March 23 to June 30. Entry tickets, valid for a year, cost £38 for adults and £22 for under-16s.
Embarking this spring, the inaugural Tweed Valley canoe trail, the first official canoe trail in southern Scotland, will span a serene 30-mile stretch along the River Tweed. Commencing near Dawyck Botanic Garden in the charming village of Stobo and concluding on the riverbank with a view of Sir Walter Scott’s former residence, Abbotsford, the route offers picturesque vistas of the Southern Uplands. Abundant wildlife, including otters, kingfishers, and herons, enhances the experience. Suited for all skill levels, the trail is designed for a leisurely paddle over two or three days. Trail maps, suggested itineraries, and camping/accommodation details will be accessible online by the end of January.
In early March, a whiskey distillery will launch within Belfast’s 19th-century Crumlin Road Gaol, following a substantial £22 million investment. Located in the former A wing of the high-security prison, the distillery will feature whiskey tours, cocktail masterclasses, and a tasting bar and shop. Known locally as the Crum, the prison, operational since 1846, played a pivotal role in detaining republican and loyalist prisoners during the Troubles. Visitors can delve into the prison’s complex history and learn about notable inmates, including suffragettes and hunger strikers, through a self-guided tour. Admission starts from £14 for adults and £7.50 for children, while distillery tour prices are yet to be announced.
Dudley’s Black Country Living Museum introduces a fresh addition to its collection of historic structures—a reconstructed high street portraying life in a Midlands town during the postwar era. Immerse yourself in the nostalgia of Stanton’s Music Shop with its vinyl record listening booth, peruse paper passbooks at the West Bromwich Building Society, explore 1950s fashions at E. Minett’s Ladieswear, and delve into the origins of the NHS. Starting in spring, visitors can discover a newly added industrial quarter, gaining insights into the working lives of Black Country residents through a recreated aluminum foundry, tool makers, and brickworks. Additionally, summer will bring the opening of a post office, an Army & Navy Store, and a replica of the Halesowen and Hasbury Co-op on the new high street. Admission prices are £22.95 for adults and £11.45 for under-16s.
The eagerly anticipated King Charles III England Coast Path is on track to become fully traversable by the conclusion of 2024. This trail is set to be the world’s longest managed coastal walking route, spanning an extensive 2,700 miles and linking communities as distant as Bamburgh and Boscastle. Over 1,000 miles of coastal terrain have already been opened up, including recently completed sections in Cumbria, Kent, and Sussex towards the end of the previous year. The upcoming segment, stretching from Hunstanton to Sutton Bridge in Norfolk, will be the next to unveil, offering a route along the tidal marshes, beaches, and nature reserves of the Wash estuary. Anticipated to be ready in March, additional sections on the Isle of Sheppey and enhancements to the existing path along the Exmoor coast are also slated for the spring.
In April, the Victoria Art Gallery in Bath will unveil a significant new exhibition, “Toulouse-Lautrec and the Masters of Montmartre.” Featuring over 30 pieces from the artist’s vibrant career, including his inaugural Moulin Rouge poster and the can-can dancers of La Troupe de Mademoiselle Eglantine, the showcase will also present works by contemporaneous artists. Iconic pieces such as Steinlein’s Tournée du Chat Noir, Alphonse Mucha’s Ruinart champagne advert, and Jules Chéret’s theatre posters will be on display, alongside creations from other masters of belle époque Paris. This exhibition represents the exclusive opportunity to view Lautrec’s complete poster collection in the UK before its relocation to the Musée d’Ixelles in Belgium. Running from April 26 to September 29, admission is priced at £10 for adults and £3.50 for children.
Launching this spring at the iconic home of Welsh Rugby in Cardiff, a novel aerial adventure named Scale is set to captivate thrill-seekers. This attraction, crafted by urban aerial adventure specialists Wire & Sky, offers enthusiasts the chance to ascend to the summit of the Principality Stadium. From this vantage point, they can enjoy a breathtaking bird’s eye view of both the stadium’s pitch and the picturesque Cardiff skyline. The descent promises an exhilarating experience, featuring a zipwire adventure and a pulse-pounding “drop.” Wire & Sky, known for similar projects at venues such as Wembley, Tottenham Hotspur, the Cutty Sark, and Liverpool’s Anfield, is behind the creation of this exciting new venture. While tickets were not yet available at the time of writing, interested individuals can register on the website to stay informed.
Transport yourself to the past at Beamish in County Durham with the addition of an authentically recreated 1950s picture house, allowing visitors to experience the golden age of movie-going. This cinema is the latest enhancement to the “1950s Town,” a part of the living history museum’s substantial development, which opened last summer and stands as its most significant expansion to date. The 50s town immerses visitors in a new era with meticulously reconstructed establishments like a hairdresser, fish and chip shop, and cafe, complete with vintage jukebox music in a dedicated booth. In the coming year, Beamish plans to further enrich its Georgian exhibits, introducing an 1820s tavern serving Georgian-inspired food and drink, along with a functional pottery. Additionally, for the first time, guests will have the opportunity to stay overnight in original farm buildings and cottages, transformed into self-catering accommodation.
