Why the world should visit Hull in 2026

Hull was named one of the top 25 global destinations to visit in 2026 by National Geographic. But what is happening that makes the city so worth visiting?

Despite once being described by national poet Philip Larkin as a "frightful dump, chilly and smelling of fish", the magazine praised the city's "defiant spirit ... that's hard to resist".

It also noted Hull's major regeneration programme, which includes the restoration of the city's museums, docks and preserved ships, most of which are due to reopen during the year.

Hull City Council leader Mike Ross said: "We're proud of our past, but even more excited about our future and we can't wait to welcome visitors to Hull in 2026 and beyond."

The magazine gave notable mentions to Hull Maritime Museum, Spurn Lightship and the Arctic Corsair - a former deep-sea trawler that was converted into a museum ship.

In spring, renovation work on the museum, which started in 2021 as part of a £27.5m project to highlight the city's maritime heritage, is due to be completed.

The former docks office in Queen Victoria Square will feature projections, films and a planetarium to showcase its thousands of marine-related artefacts.

The Lightship - a beacon of Hull's waterways for almost 50 years - is also due to reopen in spring. The revamp is part of the Hull Maritime scheme.

The new home to the restored Arctic Corsair - the visitor centre at North End Shipyard - is expected to open during the year too.

Other places expected to reopen following major restoration projects include Princes Dock Street, Humber Dock Street and Queen's Gardens, which underwent a £21m makeover.

In 2017, Hull was the UK City of Culture and more than 2,000 events, exhibitions and cultural activities were held at venues across the city.

The year saw a light and sound spectacular in Queen Victoria Square, Katy Perry, Emeli Sandé and James Arthur play at Radio 1's Big Weekend, and the Royal Ballet Gala at Hull New Theatre.

But, almost a decade on, will the city still have an exciting cultural offering?

The council thinks so. It described March as the "bumper month of culture, heritage and science" with the Cultural Tides Conference, Colliderfest and new community-led event Our City.

Hull Museums and Ferens Art Gallery also have an exciting programme of events lined up.

At the Museums Quarter, the year will begin with an exhibition exploring 20 historical women who changed the world.

At Wilberforce House, the Uncovering Modern Slavery exhibition will be on show in spring.

The Ferens Art Gallery will welcome the world of Moomin, created by the Finnish illustrator and writer Tove Jansson, in May and Claude Monet's masterpiece, The Petit Bras of the Seine at Argenteuil, in June.

Hull Truck Theatre also has a long list of events to look forward to.

Highlights include a production of Shakespeare's Macbeth, a night out with The Grand Babylon Hotel and an adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's award-winning picture book The Gruffalo's Child.

Janthi Mills-Ward, executive director and joint CEO at Hull Truck Theatre, said she was "thrilled" about the accolade from National Geographic.

"It's fantastic recognition for a city bursting with creativity, culture and community spirit," she said.

"Hull truly has something special to offer every visitor."

Last year, the council's cabinet signed off a five-year plan for boosting music in the city, which included a bid to become a Unesco Creative City of Music.

Increasing national and international cultural partnerships is part of the strategy and, in 2026, Hull will host the Music Cities Convention, the world's leading global event exploring the relationship between music and urban development.

From June 9 to 11, more than 250 delegates from more than 25 countries will discuss how music drives cultural, social and economic change in cities around the world.

Aside from Moomins, Macbeth and music, 2026 will see the return of the city's popular events, including Freedom Festival, the Humber Street Sesh, the Big Malarkey, Pride and Hull Fair.

Not forgetting about sport, Hull KR's Clash of the Champions sell-out match against Brisbane Broncos will take place at MKM Stadium in February.

In 2002, Hull was crowned the worst place to live in the UK in a book called Crap Towns: The 50 Worst Places to Live in the UK.

The most recent accolade is in stark contrast to that.

National Geographic said the "underrated northern England port city" had undergone "significant" revitalisation in the past decade.

Ross added: "To be named by National Geographic as one of the best places in the world to visit is a huge honour for Hull and a powerful recognition of how far our city has come.

"It is a testament to the passion and dedication of our residents, cultural partners and everyone working to make Hull a place people want to visit, explore and return to."

Listen to highlights fromHull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look Northor tell us about a story you think we should be coveringhere.

Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices