What Else to Expect in 2023

From exciting new exhibits and the opening of the first new West End venue in over 50 years, to discovering new outdoor adventures, England’s burgeoning wine and whisky scene and even more in between. Here's a taste of new experiences to keep you busy in Britain in 2023.

Discover the best of British theatre

New theatre venues:

In October 2022, London’s theatre district welcomes the first new venue in the West End in over 50 years with the opening of Soho Place, a flexible 602-seat auditorium and mixed development, totalling 285,000 square feet. For fans of the bard, you can now experience Shakespeare in three places not one, following the opening of Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescot, completing the Shakespeare Triangle.

Heading to the stage in 2023:

Indulge in a night of nostalgia as Dirty Dancing (Jan 18 - April 29), Bat Out of Hell (Feb 17 - April 1) and Guys and Dolls (Feb 27 - Sept 2) all return to the West End this winter, be swept back in time through the epic three-part play, The Lehman Trilogy (from Jan 24) or take your seat for an evening of Shakespeare at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, presenting Henry V, Titus Andronicus and The Winter’s Tale.

Don’t miss these new exhibits:

Discover world-class culture at Britain’s museums at these can’t-miss exhibitions coming in 2023:

- The V&A Museum will host DIVA (June 24), and Gabrielle Chanel: Fashion Manifesto (September 16).

- Head to the Tate Liverpool for Dark Waters, an immersive showing of JMW Turner’s paintings accompanied by a bespoke soundscape by musician Lamin Fofana (until June 4, 2023). 

- At Tate Britain, look out for Women in Revolt!: Art, Activism and the Women’s Movement in the UK 1970-1990 opening November 2. 

- Don’t miss the reopening of the National Portrait Gallery, which will complete a multi-year renovation called Inspiring People and reopen in 2023.

- Manchester Museum will reopen in February 2023 following a large-scale transformation. The museum will see the addition of a new exhibition hall, South Asia Gallery and Chinese Culture Gallery alongside other exciting new updates.

Lift your spirits with whisky & wine

Enjoy whisky from across Britain:

English whisky production is growing at an exciting rate, and in 2022 the English Whisky Guild formed to build awareness of the product and promote best practices across the industry. In 2023, visit the new Ad Gefrin distillery opening in Northumberland in February. In Scotland, look out for new players like Port of Leith Distillery in Edinburgh, iLi Distillery in Islay and Ardgowan Distillery outside of Glasgow to start production and welcome guests to their new visitor centers coming in 2023. In Wales, well-known whisky brand Penderyn will open their third visitor center in Swansea next year, while “grain to glass” distillery In the Welsh Wind’s whisky will make its highly anticipated debut on the market in late 2023.

Britain’s Burgeoning Wine Scene:

English wine production is now turning heads on a global stage. Britain is home to an incredible selection of thriving vineyards. From the greenery of Kent and Dorset to the rolling hills of Yorkshire, a visit to one of the wineries can add some sparkle in more ways than one. The Pig in the South Downs is the first of this boutique hotel group to include a vineyard and Lympstone Manor in Devon and South Lodge in Sussex will produce their first harvest of English Sparking Wine in 2023. With award-winning wine offerings, seasonal events and new ‘vineyard hotels’ sprouting, it’s time to explore Britain’s wine scene and raise a glass to a blossoming industry.

Plan your great British adventure

For thrill-seekers, a new wave of experiences will pique their interest. A world-class climbing park, 270 Climbing, is coming to Gloucestershire in the Cotswolds, and will become one of the finest climbing centres in the country. Norfolk Outdoor Adventures has recently developed their Leave No Trace experiences to showcase a more adventurous side to the Broads National Park, including stargazing on a kayak, wild swimming, and beachfire cooking. Over in Wales, the three-night Wild Wellness Retreat offers off-grid glamping, with locally sourced foods, foraging and more.

Wander the coast

England Coast Path:

Projected to open in its entirety in 2023, the England Coast Path - tracing almost 4,500 kilometres along the entire coast of England - will be the longest signposted coastal path in the world. Vast sections of the path are already open, so from breathtaking cliffs and sandy beaches to charming coastal villages and fresh sea-to-table cuisine, get ready to explore a new world along England’s coast.

Have a break in Brighton:

Slated to open in spring 2023, Sea Lanes Brighton will revive competitive and recreational sea-swimming on Brighton Seafront which will create the UK’s first national open water swimming centre of excellence and will include a heated 50m outdoor swimming pool. Alongside will be a beach bar stocked with selections from some of the 60 plus microbreweries in the local area.

Stay at the new No.124 Brighton Guesthouse which will open in 2023. On the doorstep of the iconic pebbled beach, and on the fringes of the shopping quarter and pier, this part-Grade II Listed Georgian property will be elegantly restored to bring modernity, art and quirkiness to the city. Guests can wine and dine at the restaurant and bar which will also offer alfresco eating on its terrace, or choose to tuck into the ‘help yourself’ pantries for a more intimate offering.

Wales Coast Path:

Discover breath-taking views, fresh sea-to-table dining and a warm Welsh welcome along the Wales Coast Path, stretching 1,400 kilometres along sandy beaches, sheer cliff faces, bustling city harbors and charming seaside villages. Climb aboard a traditional schooner and learn about Pembrokeshire’s rich maritime heritage at the new Wales International Coastal Centre that will fully open in 2023 on on Saundersfoot Harbour.

Indulge in a restorative escape

New Six Senses, London:

Six Senses London is slated to make its UK debut in late 2023. The hotel will open with 110 guest rooms and suites and 14 branded residences and will offer its signature and innovative wellness experiences that guests of the brand continue to return for. Highlights include 3,500 square feet dedicated to fitness, a 65-foot indoor swimming pool, the Alchemy Bar, and a relaxation room with vaulted ceilings. Residents and members will also have access to a social and wellness club, coworking spaces, a restaurant, and wellness and treatment rooms.

New spa at Silverlake, Dorset:

A new al fresco spa and restaurant at Silverlake in Dorset will open in 2023 and will elevate Silverlake’s existing wellness offering into an innovative and eco-friendly outdoor destination spa.

Transformation for The Relais Cooden Beach Hotel, East Sussex:

The Relais Cooden Beach Hotel is currently in phase two of a renovation, with a full opening expected in winter 2022/23. The reinvention will see rooms upgraded, alongside the addition of new wellness experience offering treatments, therapies, a sauna, steam room and modern gym. Room interiors are designed to mimic the natural seascape - there’s also options to enjoy a morning yoga session on the private beach, wild swimming and water sports.

New treehouse accommodation at The Tawny Hotel, Staffordshire:

Following a successful opening in July 2021, The Tawny Hotel has recently introduced ten new rooms, located in the picturesque rolling countryside of Staffordshire. The extension also includes new treehouse-style accommodation, with all accommodation featuring an outdoor spa bath on private decking. Guests can discover the deconstructed hotel and escape into nature with lakeside gardens, ponds and an outdoor heated pool.

New ‘outside’ rooms at Another Place, The Lake District:

Situated on the shores of Ullswater in the Lake District and offering a variety of wellness-based experiences, Another Place has recently unveiled a property expansion with ‘Outside,’ a collection of new rooms and spaces that aim to bring guests closer to their wilderness surrounds. From handcrafted shepherd huts with stargazing roofs and treehouse-style accommodation with floor-to-ceiling views, to a new restaurant situated in a classic Victorian glasshouse, guests can enjoy their own private sanctuary and front row seat to nature.

Looking ahead to 2024 - Therme Manchester:

2024 will see the opening of UK’s first city-based wellbeing resort Therme. Opening in TraffordCity, Therme will encompass a “next generation” waterpark, thermal bathing and a wellbeing spa, as well as immersive digital art, an on-site urban farm and botanical gardens. Therme’s aim is to create an integrated experience to benefit physical and mental health.