Top reasons why Britain’s brilliant in 2021

With ancient battlegrounds, mythical castles and a never-seen-before Roman sauna, if you’re a history buffs you’ll feel as if you are travelling through time as Britain’s rich heritage comes to life in 2021.

April will see the 275th anniversary of the Battle of Culloden in Scotland, a historic event that saw Bonnie Prince Charlie lead the final Jacobean rising in one of Britain’s most famous battles. Along with Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, the battlefield visitor centre includes an astounding immersive panoramic theatre, throwing you into the midst of the action.

Nottingham Castle, along with the Ducal Palace and sprawling cave system below, are due to reopen in spring 2021 after a £29.4 million investment. Symbolising almost 1,000 years of British history, this castle has links to Robin Hood, Richard the Lionheart and the English Civil War.

If you want to delve further into British history, you can plan a trip to the south-west’s historic spa town of Bath, where the Archway Project will convert the former Victorian spa buildings close to the Roman Baths. Set to open in 2021, the new renovations will create new learning spaces for groups and schools, a World Heritage Centre exploring the internationally recognised historic city, and open previously unseen areas of the Roman Baths themselves – including a Roman sauna!

Also primed to ignite the south-west’s rich heritage are the Mayflower 400 commemorations, marking 400 years since the Mayflower set sail from Plymouth, taking the first pilgrims to America. Many exciting events have been pushed forward to July 2021 from the 2020 Mayflower International Festival, including the main Four Nations Ceremony (11 July), Military Muster (10 July) and Rehabilitation Triathlon hosted by the Royal Marines (8 July). The newly opened museum, the Box, in Plymouth, also explores the impactful cultural significance of the Mayflower’s voyage and its connection with colonialism.

Dreaming of hiking through stunning countryside or injecting some adrenalin into a British adventure? From fossil hunting in Yorkshire to a stroll along the England Coast Path – the longest coastal path in the world – here are some of the unmissable ways to explore the great British outdoors in 2021…

With its sandy beaches, smuggler’s coves and turquoise waters, Cornwall is renowned for its natural beauty. And as a haven of biodiversity and ecological research, it’s a fitting location for the G7 summit on 11-13 June 2021. While world leaders discuss key environmental issues on a global scale, you can get inspired by this south-west gem, where leading horticultural highlights and sustainable seafood practices blend with centuries-old traditions preserved for all to enjoy. For more information on the delights of Cornwall, check out our guide to its sustainable traditions or head to Visit Cornwall.

The 870-mile Wales coastal path, striking countryside, coast and castles are staying in the limelight for 2021, as the country continues to celebrate its Year of Outdoors 2020-2021. With three National Parks, 600 castles, Dark Sky Reserves, and chances for foraging, surfing and glamping, 2021 is set to be bursting with mindful and revitalising experiences where you can discover how the outdoors has shaped Welsh culture and identity.

Also shining a light on the refreshing outdoors is Scotland, as their Year of Coasts and Waters is being extended into 2021 – perfect for those dreaming of a Scottish escape exploring the country’s stunning shorelines, lochs, and coastal traditions.

Moving inland from Britain’s rugged coastlines, 2021 is also a stellar year for some of the nation’s vast landscapes, as it marks 70 years since the official formation of four National Parks, with the Peak District, Lake District, Snowdonia and Dartmoor National Parks all created in 1951.

Seeking a meditative stroll in a picturesque garden? Horticulture lovers can plan to explore the brand new garden, RHS Bridgewater, set to join the prestigious RHS portfolio on 11 May 2021. The 156-acre garden will be the first to be added in 17 years, offering you a tranquil escape in the grounds of the historic Worsley New Hall, near the bustling centre of Manchester. This will be the largest gardening project in Europe and includes a kitchen garden, heritage orchard, therapeutic garden and a historic 11-acre walled garden – one of the largest in the UK!

From historic grounds to finding evidence of the prehistoric world, 2021 is a great time to jump back to the Jurassic period on a fascinating fossil-hunting beach safari! Keen fossil hunters can discover wonderful examples of ammonites and more along the Yorkshire Coast, home to prehistoric hotbeds such as Staithes, Robin Hood’s Bay, Boggle Hole or Saltburn. From discovering the little worlds of rock pools to walking beside dinosaur footprints, you can book a session with a fossil-finding expert such as Hidden Horizons in North Yorkshire to see what marvels you can uncover.

For culture vultures 2021 brings some big dates for the calendar, so here are a few new ways to experience art in Britain, as well as a host of exciting anniversaries for Britain’s theatre, art and music – 2021 could be the year of the culture trip!

Art buffs can embark on a brand new type of cultural treasure hunt along England’s south coast come spring 2021, with England’s Creative Coast. Developed in collaboration with galleries and arts organisations, the world’s first art GeoTour trail will connect the area’s exceptional galleries via geocaching on a global positioning system, creating a map of seven coastal artworks for you to discover – all by leading contemporary artists. Highlights include Margate’s Turner Contemporary, Bexhill’s De La Warr Pavilion and Hastings Contemporary.

Spring 2021 will welcome a new riverside cultural hub, in the central location of London’s Royal Borough of Greenwich, Woolwich Works. Bringing life to a restored collection of industrial buildings, it will become home to large-scale performance and events areas, while sharing space with both local and internationally-known creative companies, including a residency of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair and Chineke!

Also lighting up Britain in spring 2021 will be the Illuminated River project, which is transforming some of London’s iconic bridges. The ambitious art commission aims to add gloriously colourful lighting to the cities bridges, with displays along Blackfriars Bridge, Waterloo Bridge, the Golden Jubilee Footbridges, Westminster Bridge and Lambeth Bridge all due to completed in the spring – adding a brand new dimension to an already iconic riverside walk in the capital.

The famous waterway of England will see another cultural injection across May and June, as the second edition of the Estuary arts festival is primed to inspire. Aiming to shine a light on the landscape and rich history of the Thames Estuary, spanning 133km of South Essex and North Kent coastlines, it will highlight stories from its port towns, seafronts, marshlands and significant heritage sites through art, music and literature.

History buffs can have their curiosity piqued at the Imperial War Museum next year, with new Second World War and Holocaust galleries due to open. Spanning two floors, the £30.5 million investment will display an in-depth exhibition, thoughtfully analysing the conflicts and its horrors through personal stories, stark objects and engaging display techniques fit for a 21st century audience.

Fancy discovering Britain’s thriving cultural events outside of the capital in 2021? Coventry is set for a bumper year of art, theatre, dance and literature as it becomes Britain’s next official City of Culture. Kicking off the year-long programme in May, a stand-out event will be the city-wide installation, showcasing Coventry’s united energy. More information, as well as the full events list, will be announced at the start of the year.

Emotions will be running high come summer 2021, with European giants of football locking horns in London and Glasgow for the UEFA European Championships, from 11 June – 11 July. Rescheduled from 2020, London’s Wembley Stadium will host both the semi-finals (6-7 July) and final (11 July) of the tournament, while Glasgow’s Hampden Park will host matches throughout.

Cue the dazzling lights, marvellous costume and pitch-perfect voices – if you’re a theatre fan, you’ll  be on the edge of your seats as 2021 celebrates much-loved classics and welcomes must-see new shows to the capital. In a year that will mark the 150th anniversary of the world-famous Royal Albert Hall, and 15 years of the spell-binding Wicked the Musical, 2021 will also welcome Monopoly, an immersive production based on the classic board game, as well as the Broadway hit, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, an opulent jukebox production set to arrive in the West End in autumn 2021

Hambledon Vineyard’s new visitor centre and tasting room

Looking to get a sparkling taste of Britain? Why not enjoy some of the South Downs’ finest tipples in 2021, at the Hambledon Vineyard. Located in 200 acres of lush countryside, the vineyard will welcome a brand new tasting room and visitor centre, giving you the chance to savour a range of delicious wines and discover behind-the-scenes stories and techniques from one of Britain’s newest – and most delicious – traditions.

If you’re planning to be Britain-bound in 2022 don’t miss these outstanding openings, events or cultural anniversaries.

The Commonwealth Games will bring a show-stopping array of sporting competitions to Birmingham in 2022. Spanning 28 July – 8 August, there will be everything to fight for in events including diving, wrestling, hockey and table tennis.

Holiday-makers wanting to push themselves to new heights can plan their dream walking holiday along the brand new England Coast Path, due to fully open in 2022. Stretching for almost 4,500 invigorating kilometres, it will be the longest coastal path in the world, taking you along the entire coastline of Britain – getting as close to the rugged beauty and sea views as possible. Don’t want to wait? Discover which areas of National Trail are open on their official website.

Want to pair Britain’s breathtaking landscape with tales of myths, legend and oral tradition? Head north for 2022, as this will be Year of Scotland’s Stories, while fans of the original Gothic novel, Dracula, can visit the blood-thirsty Count’s haunt of Whitby in the 125th anniversary year of its publication.

Manchester is gearing up to welcome a brand-new hub of creativity in The Factory, the year-round home of Manchester International Festival. This striking piece of modern architecture will host creative programmes and present work by internationally recognised artists in the heart of a city rooted in innovation. Want a sneak peek on this exciting project?  Take a look around the Virtual Factory, here!

Over to the west of Northern England and the town of Prescot, near Liverpool, is also readying for a new cultural addition - the Shakespeare North Playhouse. Modelled around an Elizabethan style theatre, this 350-seat venue is ideal if you’re dreaming of stepping back into the heart of Shakespeare’s Britain, as it completes the ‘Shakespeare triangle’, London, Stratford-upon-Avon and now, Prescot. 

You are advised to always check individual websites for the latest information, as events and openings are subject to change