England’s Coast, the coastal booking and inspiration tool, is gearing up for an exciting 2026 across the North West and North East coast. From stylish new and refurbished hotels and vibrant arts and cultural reopenings, to scenic walking trails and exciting anniversaries, explore a multitude of ideas for an adventurous coastal short break or day trip on the coast, no matter the season:

“2026 is set to be a landmark year for visitors to England’s North West and North East Coasts,” says Samantha Richardson MBE, Academy Director of the National Coastal Tourism Academy which delivers England’s Coast.

“Scarborough will celebrate 400 years since being designated a spa resort, triggering a host of celebrations on the Yorkshire coast, 98% of the King Charles III England Coast Path will be complete, opening up new walking routes and coastal views to the public for the first time. From Dark Skies Festivals to restored museums, hotel launches to Restaurant Weeks and food and drink events, 2026 promises a packed coastal calendar and every reason to plan a beach break to one of our wonderful north coast beaches in the coming year.”

New Accommodation Openings and Refurbishments

Across the North East and North West coastlines, exciting new openings and refurbishments will be taking place:

Longridge House in the heart of the Ribble Valley, Lancashire - once the country retreat of the Earl of Derby - opens its doors as a family-run, boutique countryside hotel with a relaxed restaurant.

The former Royal Carlton Hotel in Blackpool is undergoing a multi-million pound refurbishment to transform the 38-bedroom Art Deco hotel, near the South Shore’s Pleasure Beach Resort and Sandcastle Waterpark, opening in spring 2026.

The Cumbrian coast has recently seen the opening of brand new coastal activities venue The Edge, at Whitehaven’s historic harbour. Welcoming everyone from walkers and cyclists to local groups and visiting families, the venue offers a front-row seat to the Cumbrian coast with activities, training sessions, cafe, bar and two floors of en-suite hotel accommodation.

Grade II listed Eshott Hall in Northumberland - set near the Northumberland Coast Path and an ideal spot for exploring the nearby Farne Islands - has come under new ownership with major improvement plans including timber accommodation cabins, wellness space and a night sky application cabin, reopening in spring 2026.

Looking further ahead to 2027, North Yorkshire will see a new luxury hotel in Runswick Bay, on the cliff-top site of the former Cliffemount Hotel. It will feature 20 sea view rooms and a pub and restaurant, and it aims to be the UK’s first Passivhaus hotel, meaning very high energy-efficiency standards.

Arts & Culture

A calendar of exciting arts and culture events and openings across the coast make a coastal getaway a must in 2026:

Hull Maritime Museum will reopen in 2026 after an ambitious restoration project on the iconic building which tells stories of 800 years of maritime history and which will be host to an exciting array of new exhibits from ship models and maritime art to a 40-foot whale skeleton.

There are also exciting plans for an £11m regeneration of Scarborough Harbour’s West Pier, to feature restored harbour buildings, and new and improved food and drink offerings and public event space, to be completed in 2027.

Redcar will welcome a £25m major new cultural and family entertainment venue on the High Street / Esplanade which will host an exciting programme of events.

Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach will welcome a brand new ride: Aviktas, the 138-foot gyro ride costing £8.72m is currently under development and will be the first gyro swing of its kind - as well as the tallest - in the UK.

Milestones by the Sea

Scarborough will mark the 400th anniversary of its designation as a spa town and Britain’s first seaside resort in 2026. The town's journey as a seaside spa resort began in 1626 with the accidental discovery of mineral spring waters by Mrs Thomasin Farrer, who stumbled upon natural springs bubbling beneath the cliff south of the town which were found to cure minor ailments. There will be a wide range of celebrations planned throughout the year including heritage installations at the site of the original spa, events, art installations and a 10 day festival in mid-July.

In Lancashire, Morecambe will celebrate comic legend Eric Morecambe’s 100th birthday (14 May 2026) and the seaside town he was born in and named himself after will celebrate with a series of events and commemorative activities.

A Stomp Along the Coast: Walking Routes & Events

The final stretches of the King Charles III England Coast Path will be completed in 2026 with 98% of the Path walkable; it will create the world’s longest continuous coastal trail at 2,795 miles. Its newest 42-mile section now links the Scottish border all the way down to Lincolnshire. A celebratory event is planned for summer 2026, further details to follow.

Coastal walking festivals and organised walks will celebrate these picturesque stretches of coastline throughout 2026, offering guided routes that showcase local history, wildlife and incredible scenery. Highlights include Walking East Yorkshire Festival (September 2026, dates TBC) shining a light on this rich heritage coastline and surrounding countryside; and a series of guided coastal walks arranged by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, showcasing the wildlife, fossils, and night skies of Flamborough and Spurn between January and April 2026.

Seaside Festivals & Events

Dark Skies Festivals across the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales (both 13 Feb-1 Mar) and Cumbria (October 2026 dates TBC) will let visitors stargaze under some of Britain’s clearest night skies, with guided sessions and astrophotography workshops.

Music lovers can dance by the sea at events like the 10th anniversary International Soul Festival in Blackpool in Maldon (19-21 June) and Whitby Rocks & Blues Festival (November 2026, dates TBC).

Lancashire will debut the CineWyre Film Festival in Fleetwood (26 Feb-1 March), celebrating global filmmaking.

Culinary Coastline

Northumberland will welcome Freyja, a new Scandi-inspired restaurant on the Close House Estate near Wylam. Led by acclaimed chef Alex Nietosvuori (formerly of Michelin-starred Hjem), Freyja will champion farm-to-fork dining with produce from its own walled kitchen garden, alongside 12 stylish guest rooms.

Food lovers can also look forward to a vibrant calendar of food festivals across the coast in 2026. Whitby Restaurant Week (2-8 March) will offer great-value set menus across the seaside town, while the Filey Food Festival (4-5 April) brings 65+ stalls of Yorkshire food and drink.

Learn more about what’s happening across the English coastline and plan your perfect 2026 coastal itinerary at englandscoast.com/en.