Su Carroll rounds up the very best things to do by the coast and what to see along our shores this year…
TURNER REMEMBERED
April 23 will mark 250 years since the birth of artist Joseph Mallord William Turner, celebrated for his stunning watercolours, paintings and prints. A major new exhibition, Land Sea Sky, at The Box in Plymouth shows his work alongside that of Ingrid Pollard and Vija Celmins – artists who, although working more than 200 years apart, are connected through their close observation of nature and skilful use of materials.
JMW Turner’s work depicts waves, wind, clouds and skies, showing how he captured the essence of both land and sea before the invention of photography. The exhibition includes three paintings and eight watercolours on loan from the Tate, plus two watercolours and a selection of prints from The Box’s permanent art collection.
They include Kilchurn Castle with the Cruchan Ben Mountains, Noon, (pictured). Often cited as one of the greatest artists of the 19th century, Turner left a legacy of over 30,000 works on paper, oil paintings and sketchbooks after his death. His mastery of history, landscape and seascape painting and the themes in his works has continued to inspire other artists since.
Vija Celmins is best known for her photo-realistic paintings and drawings of natural environments. Land Sea Sky is completed by a recent body of work by multi-media artist, photographer and 2022 Turner Prize nominee Ingrid Pollard. In partnership with ARTIST ROOMS, Tate and National Galleries of Scotland. Ends January 12, theboxplymouth.com
GLORIOUS GREENWICH
It was King Charles II who set in motion the building of the Royal Observatory at Greenwich and it is fitting that it is King Charles III who sees it mark its 350th anniversary in 2025.
It was Christopher Wren who suggested using the ruined Greenwich Castle as the site for the new observatory. It had the advantages of solid foundations in place from the old castle, as well as being located on high ground in a royal park. Wren also oversaw the design of the building.
Flamsteed House (pictured) was the first part of the Observatory to be built, intended as a home for the Astronomer Royal and for entertaining guests. The first Astronomer Royal John Flamsteed laid the foundation stone of the new Royal Observatory in August 1675 and he moved in less than a year later. For 40 years, Flamsteed made over 50,000 observations of the moon and stars.
Flamsteed and his successor Edmond Halley plotted all the stars visible in the northern and southern hemispheres. At the same time, because astronomy and time are inextricably linked, the Royal Observatory was key in helping to develop accurate clocks.
Since the late 19th century, the Royal Observatory is the historic source of the Prime Meridian of the world, marking the divide between the eastern and western hemispheres.
Visitors can stand on the Prime Meridian Line, see one of the country’s largest telescopes, visit the Planetarium and see the Octagon Room with astronomical instruments and clocks. See website for anniversary events, rmg.co.uk
AUSTEN LINKS
Throughout 2025, Southampton will celebrate its strong connection to former resident Jane Austen to mark the 250th anniversary year of her birth (December 16, 1775). Jane went to school in Southampton and, as well as visiting several times over the intervening years, she also lived in the city between 1806 and 1809.
The city’s Jane Austen 250 initiative will kickstart with a major exhibition at God’s House Tower (pictured), throughout January and February featuring the novelist’s travelling writing desk alongside an innovative and contemporary interpretation of her life and literary works by artist Jocelyn McGregor.
Other highlights include an exhibition at the SeaCity Museum which focuses on the writer’s wide circle of friends and their standing in society; theatrical and musical performances, talks and conferences in association with the University of Southampton, plus a whole series of themed walking trails feature in the celebratory programme.
Compact in size, Southampton is a very walkable city and as part of the Jane Austen celebrations visitors can explore the various aspects of the writer’s life. From theatrical, costumed guided walks, to historian-led tours and free self-guided jaunts. Keep up to date on the website, visitsouthampton.co.uk
CARE IN THE KITCHEN
Top chefs in Cornwall are joining forces for The Great Coast-to-Coast Charity Dinner to celebrate Cornish food and drink with Hospitality Action, a very special charity at the centre of it all. The charity has a mission to support and assist all who work, or have worked, within the hospitality industry in the UK, many of whom have fallen on hard times – be it financial, physical or mental. The fundraising dinner takes place in Truro’s The Alverton hotel for the first time.
Visiting chefs include three stars of BBC Two’s Great British Menu – Jude Kereama of Kota and Kota Kai in Porthleven, Ben Palmer of The Sardine Factory in Looe and Guy Owen of St Enodoc in Rock. Also taking part are 2018’s South West Chef of the Year Tim Kendall of The Barley Sheaf in Gorran and The Alverton’s own Executive Chef Nick Hodges.
The chefs will be preparing a five-course menu, which will be served in the hotel’s historic Great Hall (pictured), a room that dates back to 1830, highlighting the very best seafood, grass-fed meats and harvest available across the Duchy in a culinary experience to delight.
Tickets cost £90 each with all proceeds being donated to Hospitality Action. What’s more, all ticket holders will receive a ten per cent discount should they choose to stay the night at The Alverton. February 27, thealverton.co.uk
CAPITAL ENTERTAINMENT
Edinburgh is truly a city of festivals with something for everyone and all ages from the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival (May 24-June 1) to the unparalleled celebration of the performing arts and an annual meeting point for peoples of all nations that is the Edinburgh International Festival (August 1-24).
Founded in 1947, the International Festival (pictured) is committed to virtuosity and originality, and presents some of the finest performers and ensembles from the worlds of dance, opera, music and theatre for three weeks in August. Expect world premieres, new takes on classic works, critically acclaimed productions and more.
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe (August 1-25) also dates back to 1947, when eight theatre groups turned up uninvited to perform at the Edinburgh International Festival and decided to go it alone. From big names in the world of entertainment to unknown artists looking to build their careers, the festival caters for everyone and includes theatre, comedy, dance, physical theatre, circus, cabaret, children’s shows, musicals, opera, music, spoken word, exhibitions and events
The Edinburgh Science Festival (April 5-20) was the world’s first when it launched in 1989. Today it remains the UK’s largest Science Festival and for two weeks each year – centred around the Easter break – it takes over venues across the city with interactive exhibitions and workshops where children can get their hands dirty while learning about the science behind spaceships, weather, dinosaurs, the human body and much, much more.
For music fans there is the Jazz and Blues Festival (July 11-20) and the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (August 1-23). Edinburghfestivalcity.com
SPIRIT OF THE HIGHLANDS
A new visitor attraction due to open this year will transform a former courthouse and prison into the Inverness Castle Experience which takes you on an interactive journey through landscaped gardens to the South Tower, a sensory experience, inspired by stories from across the Highlands about its landscape, culture, heritage and people.
The site overlooking the River Ness was a mediaeval fort before a courthouse was built in the 1830s and a prison which was completed in the 1840s. On the Inverness Castle Experience you will be guided by a seanchaidh – storyteller – who will help reveal stories celebrating the Highlands’ spirit and find hidden gems in every room.
In the North Tower, the Ceilidh Rooms will offer a place for people to come together to share the best of Highland music, food and drink. This experience will highlight and acknowledge the contribution of musicians to the rich culture of the Highlands. The opening interactive exhibition will feature the music and stories of Runrig, recognising the band’s impact on the area’s cultural scene over the past half-century. Opens mid-2025, invernesscastle.scot
HERE COMES THE FUN
Liverpool celebrates its favourite sons when International Beatleweek returns to the birthplace of the Fab Four for its 38th consecutive year. The festival, celebrating the music and legacy of the Beatles, is organised by the owners of the world-famous Cavern Club and brings together top tribute bands from over 25 different countries, along with fans from around the world for a week-long celebration of all things Beatles.
A highlight of this year’s festivities will be the first ever takeover of the seaside town of New Brighton on the Wirral, where a theatre show, Beatles vs Stones, will be presented with The Cavern Club Beatles alongside Swedish favourites Rocks Off in a musical showdown for the ages. Saturday’s Mad Day Out event will pay homage to the historic Tower Ballroom in New Brighton, where The Beatles performed 27 times, offering fans a unique opportunity to experience the magic of this seaside town steeped in Beatles history.
Another iconic Beatles haunt, The Grosvenor, will open its doors exclusively for International Beatleweek to recreate the nostalgia of yesteryear, transporting fans back to the golden era of Beatlemania.
Guest speakers during the week include Geoff Baker, (PR for Paul McCartney for over a decade) and May Pang, John Lennon’s partner during his ‘Lost Weekend’. This year’s festival also sees the inclusion of the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), formerly known as the Liverpool Institute for Boys and The Art College. This prestigious institution holds special significance as the alma mater of Paul McCartney, George Harrison, John Lennon and Stuart Sutcliffe.
August 21-27, internationalbeatleweek.com
10 things to do by the coast this March
ANCHORS AWEIGH
The spectacle of the Tall Ships Race – Europe’s largest free family event – will grace Aberdeen this summer as the city is the only UK stop on the route from Le Havre to Esbjerg in Denmark.
This will be Scotland’s biggest event in 2025 and is expected to attract at least 400,000 visits. The majestic Tall Ships will berth in the Port of Aberdeen for a four-day maritime festival which will transform the quayside of the North Harbour into a world-class event space.
The ships, such as the Fryderyk Chopin (pictured) which took part in the 2024 race around Baltic Sea ports offer an opportunity for more than 1,500 young people to sample life on board through Sail Training International.
A grand finale of fireworks on the seafront will dazzle visiting crowds the night before the ships set sail for Kristiansand in Norway. This departure will be marked by a parade of sail along the beach esplanade.
The quaysides will host a rich range of attractions from food and craft stalls to street performers during the Tall Ships Race. A host of venues across the city centre will offer exhibitions, free activities, art installations as well as environmental and conservation projects and activities. July 19-22, tallshipsaberdeen.com
BOP IN THE BIOMES
The iconic domes at the Eden Project in St Austell provide a spectacular backdrop to great music. In 2024 audiences at the Eden Sessions were entertained by artists as varied as Crowded House, Fatboy Slim, Suede, Manic Street Preachers, Rick Astley plus The Lightning Seeds, Tom Grennan and JLS.
The entertainment starts at the 2025 Eden Sessions with The Script – founded in Dublin in 2006 and fronted by Danny O’Donoghue, known for his role as a coach on the first two series of The Voice UK. The line-up is completed by drummer Glen Power, Ben Sargeant and guitarist Ben Weaver. With more than 12 million albums sold, including six UK Number Ones, their blend of emotive alt-pop and soaring anthems has earned them a dedicated, arena-filling, global following.
With their seventh studio album, Satellites, released in August, The Script are gearing up for a landmark year and are poised to deliver an unforgettable night in front of the Eden Project Biomes. The show will mark their second performance at the iconic venue. Support comes from Scottish singer-songwriter Tom Walker.
June 25, edensessions.com
LOVELY LYTHAM
Lytham St Annes in Lancashire – just south of Blackpool – is a small seaside resort with a population of under 50,000. For five days in the summer more than 100,000 people will descend on the town for the Lytham Festival which started in 2010 as the one-day Lytham Proms. It has grown steadily to become one of the UK’s largest live music festivals and past headliners have included Kylie, Rod Stewart, Lionel Richie, Diana Ross and Sting to Stereophonics, Bryan Adams and Def Leppard.
This year’s line-up is just as starry with Alanis Morissette, Justin Timberlake, Simple Minds and Texas. Canadian/American singer, songwriter and musician Alanis Morissette kicks off the weekend on the Friday. The seven-time Grammy Award winner has been one of the most influential women in contemporary music with a career spanning more than 30 years from her debut album Jagged Little Pill.
On Saturday night the stage belongs to entertainer, recording artist, record producer, songwriter and actor Justin Timberlake (pictured) when he brings his Forget Tomorrow World Tour to Lytham Green. It’s one of only four UK outdoor appearances by him in 2025.
The closing night of Lytham Festival on the Sunday will see a double headlining set from global rock icons and Scottish legends Simple Minds and Texas. July 2-6, lythamfestival.com
TRADITIONAL CELEBRATION
Scotland’s Highland Games are usually one-day events that take place in outdoor spaces across the country throughout the summer. They feature traditional Highland sports such as the caber toss, tug o’ war and the hammer throw, Highland dancing and music, and lots of family fun such as food and craft stalls and games.
In 2025 the first one-day Highland Games is at Gourock near Greenock on May 12 and the 31st event, which brings the season to a close, is at Pitlochry on September 14. Although the games started in the Highlands, today they stretch right across the country.
Many events will also involve livestock, parades and even best-dressed pet competitions. Some Highland games may continue into the night with live music and ceilidhs.
These Highland games are so popular, that when Scots emigrated to other lands, they took the tradition across the world with them. May 12-September 14, scotlandwelcomesyou.com
SEEING THE LIGHT
Visitors to Hull will be given a first glimpse of the city’s new-look maritime attractions when the Spurn Lightship (pictured) re-opens as a floating museum in spring 2025, before the whole £40m scheme is fully revealed in 2026.
Hull Maritime has taken over five years of work but will see the city become home to some of the country’s best-preserved seafaring attractions. Hull’s other nationally important ship, the Arctic Corsair, is expected to open late 2025 as part of a new £3.8m visitor attraction, featuring one of the most energy efficient buildings in the UK’s cultural and heritage sector.
Completing the line-up will be a totally refurbished Maritime Museum, with new-look galleries and extra facilities, which will welcome visitors in early 2026. Check website for dates, maritimehull.co.uk
