19 reasons to visit England in 2019

Gorgeous rooms meet gorgeous food at Pig Hotels and two new locations are joining the litter in 2019; the 17th century Bridge Place in Kent and 15th century Harlyn House near Padstow in Cornwall.

Soho House is branching out to the English coast, adding a Brighton location to its portfolio of upmarket hotels around the world.

Hard Rock International returns to its roots with the launch of a Hard Rock Hotel in London. There’ll be an incredible music memorabilia collection and luxe bedrooms and suites with views of Hyde Park and Oxford St that will leave you feeling like a rock star.

Hip American hotel brand The Standard will bring plenty of wow factor when it opens in 2019. Instantly recognisable with its upside down logo, its first international hotel will sit directly opposite St. Pancras Station.

Around an hour from London, Denbies in Surrey is opening a 17-bedroom vineyard hotel, the first of its kind in the UK. Expect sublime views of the countryside and even a wine dispensing machine.

Whitby Abbey in North Yorkshire will reopen in Spring 2019 with an improved museum, a re-designed courtyard, and a brand new coffee shop. Explore the dramatic abbey ruins, and discover more of its vast history than ever before.

Margate’s thriving art scene will be bolstered even further when it hosts the world-famous Turner Prize. See a portfolio of work from each nominee from October 2019 to Jan 2020.

Immortalised in The Beatles song ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’, Strawberry Field will be opening to the public for the first time ever in 2019. Exhibitions at the former Salvation Army property will celebrate its history and John Lennon’s childhood.

Award-winning sculpture gallery The Hepworth Wakefield is expanding in 2019, thanks to a new riverside sculpture garden. Designed by acclaimed landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith, the garden will be free to all.

A new 3,000 capacity music and events venue called Magazine London will be opening in summer 2019. Designed by the creators of super-club Printworks in Canada Water, Magazine will also host a 7,000 capacity outdoor space for festivals.

Swedish-born Fotografiska is a brand new space for photography, set to put Whitechapel on the map in spring 2019. Discover established and cutting-edge photographers from across the globe as well as a buzzing restaurant and bar at what’s promising to be one of the newest and best London attractions.

Bury St Edmunds’ coffee scene will be even more tempting in 2019 with the addition of FOLK. Housed in a converted barn, FOLK will serve freshly-made bread and Butterworth and Son coffee in a relaxing setting.

Set over eight days in February 2019, the Festival of Food at the luxurious Rockliffe Hall in Durham gives food lovers the chance to be wined and dined by professional chefs.

For the first time in 20 years, England will be hosting the ICC Cricket World Cup. Hosted in cities up and down the country, 10 international teams will battle it out over a two-month span to become world champions at London's iconic Lord's.

Lumiere Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary in Durham with its most ambitious light show to date. Popular installations from previous years will appear alongside new artworks.

Manchester International Festival returns in 2019 and begins with a unique bell-ringing event created and led by Yoko Ono. Other highlights at the 2019 festival include performances from Idris Elba and Skepta’s DYSTOPIA987.

An undisputed British icon, the Mini Cooper will be celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2019 at the British Motor Museum. Visit from 4 August for a series of events, including a World Record attempt for the longest line of Minis.

First established in 1949, National Parks across the country will be celebrating their 70th anniversary with a variety of exciting events. Get your walking boots on and explore some of England’s most iconic outdoor locations.

Much has changed since Yorkshire icon Bettys first opened in Harrogate in 1919, but this cosy tea room continues to serve afternoon tea to this day. Visit the charming spa town in 2019 and see why this English tradition is still so revered 100 years on.