It wasn't England’s only new attraction in 2021 but RHS Garden Bridgewater in Greater Manchester is almost certainly the largest. Opened last May, the 156-acre garden was “the biggest hands-on horticultural project undertaken in Europe” and comprises a wealth of enchanting spaces, from the Chinese Streamside Garden to Ellesmere Lake.
After £30.7 million and six years in the making, Imperial War Museum London’s Second World War and Holocaust Galleries finally opened in October 2021. Standing at three times the size of the museum’s award-winning First World War Galleries, they tell the story of human history’s most devastating conflict via interactive displays and over 3,500 objects.
In May 2022, the National Trust unveiled the world’s first ever Children’s Country House at Sudbury Hall in Derbyshire. The team worked with children to create a new playful heritage day out, where they are encouraged to be curious and explore the house without barriers – from planning adventures and voyages in the book-lined Talbot Room to curling up with a book in The Library.
Its first 66-mile (106km) stretch (Kent and East Sussex) opened in July 2016, but there’s still plenty to be revealed on this national coastal walking route – set to be the longest of its kind in the world, at a whopping 2,795 miles (4,498km), once fully complete. It's opening in sections, with five almost complete. Find out more about the open routes here.
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Exploring the science behind BBC sci-fi hit Doctor Who, this thrilling exhibition landed in Liverpool for its world premiere in May 2022, featuring original costumes, props, sets and more besides. With everything from mythical monsters to distant galaxies and time travel, it’s a must for show fans and science enthusiasts alike. Catch it until 30 October 2022.
With four exhibitions across four venues – The Salisbury Museum, Wiltshire Museum, Poole Museum and Dorset Museum – Hardy’s Wessex sees the largest collection of Hardy objects ever displayed at one time from May to October 2022. Spanning period costume to personal letters, art to archaeology, it offers an extraordinary insight into the life and literature of the Victorian novelist and poet.
Housing a replica candlelit Shakespearean theatre behind its modern façade, The Shakespeare North Playhouse launched in Prescot (once home to the only purpose-built Elizabethan playhouse outside of London) in 2022. Inspired by the playwright’s little-known connections to Merseyside, it joins London and Stratford-upon-Avon to complete the UK’s "Shakespearean triangle".
After a 17-year campaign to save it, Cleveland Pools is finally set to reopen later this year thanks to a £6.1 million grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Situated in Bath, Somerset, it’s Britain’s oldest lido and dates back more than 200 years. The pool is one of several marine attractions to look forward to in 2022, as well as Brighton’s Sea Lanes (slated to open in autumn) and Great Yarmouth’s £26 million Marina leisure centre (due to open at the end of summer).
Having exploded onto the London stage in November 2021, Moulin Rouge! The Musical recreates all the glamour, passion and artistry of Baz Luhrmann’s blockbuster film. Part of The Bohemian Project, the production also aims to promote the careers of arts students and up-and-coming talent, with initiatives such as accessible ticketing and development projects. Tickets are on sale until February 2023.
From AD 300 to about AD 900, much of Scotland was ruled by the Picts, with the Highlands central to Pictish power. This new themed trail reveals a lost kingdom of warrior kings, mysterious carvings and tribal legend, taking in 32 sites across the breathtaking Highland landscape, from heritage centres to standing stones and castles.
Launched in 2021, this 66-mile (106km) route is designed to encourage slow travel around Scotland’s scenic peninsula of Kintyre. Fresh seafood, Scotch whiskies and a surfeit of stunning views are among the many delights on offer. Plus there are exceptional stargazing and wildlife watching opportunities, and the castles of famous ancient clans.
Sir William Burrell devoted over 75 years to amassing one of the world’s greatest personal art collections, renowned for its quality of Chinese art, exquisite stained glass, intricate tapestries and breadth of fine art. Following an ambitious redisplay and major building work, the collection’s Glasgow home reopened in March 2022.
Based in the Belfast Hills, this fantastic adventure park recently welcomed a range of family-friendly additions. They include the Black Bull Run, Ireland’s first alpine coaster – promising an adrenaline-filled ride through the trees, featuring 12 twists and two tunnels – plus a Forest Flyover zipline and the brand-new River Rapid zipline (Ireland’s longest).
Adrenaline junkie? Test your nerve on the world's most extreme attractions
After 20 years as one of Northern Ireland’s top destinations for family fun, Belfast’s W5 science museum reopened in October 2021 following a £5 million transformation. Two reimagined exhibition floors excite and inspire, covering everything from climate change to optical illusions, while a refreshed ground floor includes an astronomy and dinosaur-themed maze plus eye-catching Skull Cave. There’s also a new Science Bar hosting daily shows.
We’ve already had the Harry Potter Photographic Exhibition, a new London attraction complete with Butterbeer bar, but 2022 saw another magical opening up its sleeve – County Down’s long-awaited Game of Thrones Studio Tour. Featuring everything from props and costumes to makeup, prosthetics and CGI technology, it's transformed the Linen Mill film studio into one of Northern Ireland’s top visitor destinations.
Located in the foothills of the Brecon Beacons, this purpose-built resort near Merthyr Tydfil has announced several new and updated trails. They included Britain’s longest descending beginners’ route, the three-mile-long (5km) ‘Kermit,’ and an adrenaline-filled course designed to challenge the world’s best riders. With a total of 44, BikePark now has significantly more trails than anywhere else in Britain.
Based at Llys-y-Frân Lake, in the foothills of the Preseli Mountains, Welsh Water Adventures reopened in summer 2021 following a £4 million revamp. From water sports and walking to archery and axe throwing, the site now offers activities aplenty for all the family, with a campsite also set to open later this year.
The National Botanic Garden of Wales recently completed its largest transformation since opening in May 2000. Taking in a lake and waterfall, plus six new bridges and a 1,148-feet (350m) dam, you can now enjoy beautiful walks in a wooded valley thanks to the Regency Restoration project. It’s not the only fresh excuse to visit either, with the on-site British Bird of Prey Centre now sporting a range of new flying displays.
Part of Pendine Sands’ £7 million development, due for completion by the end of 2022, the Museum of Land Speed explores Pendine Beach’s history as a mecca for world-breaking speed attempts, attracting everyone from Sir Malcolm Campbell to actor Idris Elba. You can even test your own strength by racing to beat motorcyclist Guy Martin’s 2013 record on a simulator.
After opening its second distillery in Llandudno in 2021, esteemed Welsh whisky brand Penderyn (named for its original location in the Brecon Beacons) will continue its ambitious expansion in 2022, opening a third site in Swansea’s historic Hafod Morfa Copperworks. As with other venues, this will also function as a visitor attraction, encompassing a shop, exhibition area and tasting bar.
A key project in Swansea’s ambitious regeneration programme, the £135 million Copr Bay made debut in March 2022. It comprises a new 3,500-capacity indoor arena, a landmark bridge connecting the city centre to the marina and beach, a 1.1-acre coastal park and a variety of home, leisure and retail spaces. Need an incentive to visit Wales’ second city? This could be just the ticket.
Its creature comforts may have been lacking for the contestants of ITV’s I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, but, happily, tourists at Gwrych Castle can expect a more welcoming visit. The Conwy County attraction has undergone extensive works and now promises a much-improved experience, which takes guests to the heart of the main house.
Funded by the four UK governments, UNBOXED 2022 is produced by some of the brightest minds in science, technology, engineering, arts and maths. The landmark celebration of British creativity, held until October, sees events everywhere from Dover to the Outer Hebrides, with highlights ranging from an ambitious archive project using new technologies to a moon-inspired festival of nightlife and countercultures.
Calling all Tomb Raider fans! It's time to save the world. This unique interactive experience sees teams of eight join Lara Croft on her pursuit to recover a powerful artefact that's fallen into the hands of a dangerous enemy. Teams battle through the jungles of Costa Rica, escape a sinking ship and solve environmental puzzles and secret orders, as live actors and scenes from the famous franchise make this a day out to remember. Held at the Stable Market in Camden, north London, it's worth booking tickets in advance.
If you're a skydiving fan, chances are you've visited many of the UK's indoor experiences. But have you ever skydived against a backdrop of real chalk cliffs? This unique machine at the Hangloose Adventure Bluewater park in Dartford is the country's first. Opened in August 2022, professional daredevils can soar up to 33 feet (10m), while those new to skydiving can reach 16 feet (5m). It costs £50 for two one-minute flights, but views of the surrounding parkland and lakes are no doubt worth it.
Celebrate 1,900 years since the building of Hadrian’s Wall, Britain’s largest Roman archaeological feature, at this year-long 2022 festival. From Tyneside in the east through Carlisle and down the Solway Coast in the west, hundreds of events will take place across the UNESCO World Heritage Site, culminating in a Festival of Saturnalia.
As part of the Hadrian's Wall anniversary celebrations, this bold installation by artist Morag Myserscough will bring a splash of colour to the area. The piece, named 'The Future Belongs To What Was As Much As What Is', stands in the exact spot where the north gatehouse at Housesteads Roman Fort once stood. Visitors can climb to the top of the structure to see views of the ancient landscape, last seen by Roman soldiers 1,600 years ago. The installation, which features art works from the local community, is open to the public until 30th October 2022.