Historic England is appealing for hidden histories to be shared and for overlooked places to be celebrated as part of its Missing Pieces Project. The heritage body is calling for people to upload to its website photos or stories about any of the more than 400,000 places on the National Heritage List for England. Submissions by users, intended to give people a fuller … [Read more...] about Historic England seeks Missing Pieces about important places around the country
Attraction News
Former ‘Yotties’ unite for annual working party on Royal Yacht Britannia
Former sailors who served on the Royal Yacht Britannia have described themselves as a “band of brothers” as they arrived on the ship for their annual working party as a way to keep the bonds they built in service alive. More than 50 former “Yotties”, as they are affectionately known, will spend much of the week aboard the ship which was in royal service between 1953 and 1997, … [Read more...] about Former ‘Yotties’ unite for annual working party on Royal Yacht Britannia
What’s On Around Britain in May 2023
The major event of this month – well, this year – is the Coronation. But there is plenty more going on from a well-loved song contest to kites, balloons and things happening with flowers and cheese. Britain is great, isn't it? We've got three bank holidays (public holidays) in May. Monday 1 May 2023 is the Early May bank holiday. We're also getting an extra this year on … [Read more...] about What’s On Around Britain in May 2023
Bamburgh retains top spot in ranking of UK seaside destinations
A Northumberland village has topped a ranking of UK seaside destinations for a third consecutive year. Bamburgh came first out of 118 locations in research conducted by consumer group Which?. It received the maximum of five stars for its beaches, seafront, accommodation, peace and quiet, scenery and value for money – with an overall score of 88%. Bamburgh is renowned … [Read more...] about Bamburgh retains top spot in ranking of UK seaside destinations
Legoland reveals new miniature models for the King’s coronation
Legoland has unveiled a miniature coronation scene ahead of the royal event next week. A tiny replica of Buckingham Palace features a King and Queen Consort figurine standing on the balcony, waving to the crowds below. The display also includes a gold state coach depicting the King’s journey down the Mall, along with the Windsor Castle coronation concert complete with … [Read more...] about Legoland reveals new miniature models for the King’s coronation
UK and US galleries buy masterpiece Portrait Of Mai for £50m
One of the earliest portraits of a black person by a British artist will remain on public display after London’s National Portrait Gallery and the J Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles struck a £50 million deal to buy it. The two institutions announced on Wednesday that they had each pitched in £25 million to acquire Joshua Reynolds’ depiction of an 18th century Polynesian man … [Read more...] about UK and US galleries buy masterpiece Portrait Of Mai for £50m
Exhibition featuring Quentin Blake works to be held at Compton Verney
A new exhibition featuring original artwork from illustrator Sir Quentin Blake is set to arrive at Compton Verney next month. Quentin Blake: Birds, Beasts and Explorers will launch at the Grade I-listed Georgian manor in Warwickshire on May 27 and explore the 90-year-old’s “real and imaginary creatures, intrepid individuals and curious modes of transport”. The exhibition … [Read more...] about Exhibition featuring Quentin Blake works to be held at Compton Verney
Seven sites receive Government backing to gain Unesco World Heritage status
Seven sites have received Government backing to win Unesco World Heritage status, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has announced. York city center, Birkenhead Park, and an Iron Age settlement in Scotland could be in the running to join the prestigious list. Unesco’s World Heritage site system offers the opportunity for cultural and natural heritage sites … [Read more...] about Seven sites receive Government backing to gain Unesco World Heritage status
Watercolors painted by the King to go on display at Sandringham
More than 40 watercolors painted by the King are to be displayed in an exhibition. The collection, featuring interpretations of British landscapes and royal residences, will be put on view in the ballroom at Sandringham House in Norfolk. The exhibition contains a range of scenes painted in the Welsh hills, the highlands of Scotland and at Windsor Castle, Highgrove, … [Read more...] about Watercolors painted by the King to go on display at Sandringham
William and Harry’s treehouse features in new Highgrove exhibition staged for King
The King has commissioned a new exhibition telling the story of how he transformed the gardens of his country home Highgrove – including behind-the-scenes sketches of Princes William and Harry’s treehouse. The then-Prince of Wales had the wooden hideaway, with its pointed, thatched roof, built for his young sons at his Gloucestershire retreat in the 1980s. Designs of … [Read more...] about William and Harry’s treehouse features in new Highgrove exhibition staged for King
Winston Churchill’s oil painting of Hever gardens returns home to castle
Former prime minister Sir Winston Churchill’s painting of the Italian gardens at Hever Castle in Kent has been returned as part of re-curation of the castle. The oil painting, titled View Through An Arch At Hever and dating back to the 1930s, was purchased by Hever Castle in a private sale from Christie’s auction house. It will be unveiled at a celebratory event on … [Read more...] about Winston Churchill’s oil painting of Hever gardens returns home to castle
Heritage sites to be preserved with millions in National Lottery funding
Popular heritage sites across the UK have been granted a total of more than £24 million in National Lottery funding to help preserve them for the future. Projects stretching from Penzance to John O’Groats and across Wales and Northern Ireland are among those that will benefit. It comes as the National Lottery Heritage Fund launches its new 10-year strategy which aims to … [Read more...] about Heritage sites to be preserved with millions in National Lottery funding
Tourists to walk on site of King’s coronation for first time – but in socks
Visitors to Westminster Abbey are to be allowed to stand – in socks – for the first time in the exact spot where the King will be crowned. Special guided “barefoot” tours in celebration of the May 6 coronation will include access to the Cosmati pavement, one of Britain’s greatest medieval art treasures, which is usually roped off to the public. The intricate 13th-century … [Read more...] about Tourists to walk on site of King’s coronation for first time – but in socks
England’s newest whisky distillery and Anglo-Saxon museum opens
The co-founder of a new £16 million whisky distillery and Anglo-Saxon museum has said she was “privileged” to be able to give something back to her community. Ad Gefrin will be the latest of England’s 40 whisky distilleries and will bring tourists to Wooler, Northumberland, to see the spirit-making process, enjoy tours and tastings, and to learn about the area’s deep … [Read more...] about England’s newest whisky distillery and Anglo-Saxon museum opens
Paid-for British attractions lag behind free sites as cost-of-living crisis bites
British Tourism attractions with admission charges are struggling to grow visitor numbers at the same rate as those with free entry due to the cost-of-living crisis, new research shows. Total visits to major free attractions rose by 92% from 34.6 million in 2021 to 66.2 million last year, according to PA news agency analysis of data published by trade body the Association of … [Read more...] about Paid-for British attractions lag behind free sites as cost-of-living crisis bites
Crown Jewels’ origins to be explored in depth in new Tower of London exhibition from May
The Tower of London is to delve deeper than ever before into the history of the Crown Jewels with a new exhibition in the coronation year. The display in the Jewel House, where the priceless collection is kept under armed guard, will explore the origins of some of the precious objects for the first time, including the controversial Koh-i-noor diamond. It marks the first … [Read more...] about Crown Jewels’ origins to be explored in depth in new Tower of London exhibition from May
Tate Liverpool to undergo £29.7 million refurbishment, close temporarily
Tate Liverpool is to close temporarily as part of a £29.7 million refurbishment. The gallery, at Royal Albert Dock, will shut its doors from Monday, October 16, with the aim of reopening in 2025. Ahead of the closure, Tate Liverpool will extend its exhibition JMW Turner With Lamin Fofana: Dark Waters until September 24. While closed, it will continue to host events and … [Read more...] about Tate Liverpool to undergo £29.7 million refurbishment, close temporarily
Warner Brothers Studio Tour London To Explore Harry Potter’s Early Years
Exploring Harry’s early years at wizarding school, Discovering Hogwarts will run at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter from 2nd May - 4th September 2023 Just like a Hogwarts student would, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London will celebrate its 11th year with an invitation to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Brand new for 2023, visitors … [Read more...] about Warner Brothers Studio Tour London To Explore Harry Potter’s Early Years
Harewood House commissions David Harewood portrait to diversify art collection
A portrait of actor and writer David Harewood has been commissioned to address the lack of diverse representation within Harewood House’s historic art collection. The photograph will be accompanied by an exhibition exploring Harewood’s life and celebrating his career, including his role as an ambassador for mental health awareness and racial equality. The piece will be … [Read more...] about Harewood House commissions David Harewood portrait to diversify art collection
New William Hogarth exhibition in Derby to feature artwork not seen for 300 years
Paintings and engravings by one of Britain’s best-known artists are to be displayed in a new exhibition exploring their links with an infamous uprising. Works by the renowned 18th-century artist, satirist and theorist William Hogarth will go on display at the Derby Museum and Art Gallery from Friday, bringing together more than 40 of his artworks and some by his … [Read more...] about New William Hogarth exhibition in Derby to feature artwork not seen for 300 years
What’s On Around Britain in March 2023
The first of March is the start of meteorological spring so weather scientists are now looking at predicting warmer temperatures. (Hurrah!) British Summer Time (BST) starts on the last Sunday in March so the clocks go forward at 1 am on 26 March 2023. St David's Day 1 March 2023 is St David’s Day, the patron saint of Wales. Some people wear a daffodil as a buttonhole … [Read more...] about What’s On Around Britain in March 2023
Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art to reopen with show charting eight decades of art
A gallery which closed for the winter and spring amid funding challenges will reopen next month with a “fascinating” exhibition exploring 80 years of 20th-century art. Decades: The Art of Change 1900-1980, will open at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art (Modern Two) in Edinburgh on April 29, more than six months after the venue shut. The free exhibition of 100 … [Read more...] about Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art to reopen with show charting eight decades of art
The RMS Queen Mary Gets Closer to Reopening Many Elements of the Ship as Some Key Repairs Are Underway
The City of Long Beach has begun preparation work for the installation of anticipated new boilers and heat exchangers onboard the RMS Queen Mary. The multi-phase project, which began in late January with the demolition of the existing heat exchangers, piping, and electrical pneumatics, is part of the last round of critical repairs required to reopen the Queen Mary’s hotel, … [Read more...] about The RMS Queen Mary Gets Closer to Reopening Many Elements of the Ship as Some Key Repairs Are Underway
Dippy the Dinosaur unveiled in new Coventry residence
Dippy the Dinosaur has been unveiled in its new Coventry residence. The city’s Herbert Art Gallery & Museum will be home to the 26-meter-long installation of the Diplodocus cast for the next three years. The first visitors were able to see the model on Monday, as the free-to-visit Dippy In Coventry: The Nation’s Famous Dinosaur exhibition officially opened. The … [Read more...] about Dippy the Dinosaur unveiled in new Coventry residence
Oldest prayer beads found in Britain to go on display at Lindisfarne Priory
Britain’s earliest known prayer beads will go on display at the refurbished museum at Lindisfarne Priory this weekend. The necklace, dating from between the 8th and 9th century and made from salmon vertebrae, was recently found on a skeleton on Holy Island in Northumberland. It will be exhibited along with an Anglo-Saxon glass gaming counter and 21 unique name stones – … [Read more...] about Oldest prayer beads found in Britain to go on display at Lindisfarne Priory