2026 is shaping up to be a brilliant year for museums in the UK, with several exciting openings and reopenings giving culture lovers plenty to look forward to. From a major new national institution in London to revamped galleries showcasing centuries of history, these venues are set to attract visitors from across the country and beyond.
One of the most eagerly anticipated openings is the V&A East Museum in Stratford, East London. Part of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park’s East Bank cultural district, this new branch of the Victoria & Albert Museum officially opens its doors on 18 April 2026. Free to visit, the five-storey museum will spotlight creativity from around the world, celebrating ideas across art, design, performance and fashion through more than 500 objects from the V&A’s collection. Its inaugural major exhibition, The Music is Black: A British Story, explores 125 years of Black British music and its profound impact on culture — from early pioneers to contemporary icons. The museum has been co-created with local communities and young people, emphasising inclusivity and creativity as forces for connection and change.
Also bringing fresh excitement is the Hull Maritime Museum, reopening in summer 2026 after extensive restoration. This revamped venue — one of the UK’s most significant maritime museums — will offer visitors immersive experiences and display around 50% more objects than before, including impressive artefacts like a 40-foot whale skeleton. Its rich collections trace 800 years of maritime history and promise to deepen public engagement with the story of seafaring, trade and coastal life.
Looking beyond the major metropolitan openings, Wrexham in Wales is gearing up to launch a dedicated national football museum within its county museum building. Celebrating Wales’ passionate football culture and heritage, this new space is expected to draw sports fans and history enthusiasts alike when it opens in 2026. The initiative is backed by local and national support, with hopes that the museum will boost cultural tourism and community pride across the region.
Meanwhile, London will also welcome the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration when it opens later this year. Dedicated to original illustration and creative storytelling, the new venue — named after one of Britain’s best-loved artists — will include galleries, studios, educational spaces and opportunities for community workshops, helping to inspire creativity in visitors of all ages.
These openings reflect a thriving and dynamic museum landscape in the UK, offering ever richer and more diverse cultural experiences. Whether you’re drawn by global design, local stories, maritime heritage or playful artistic worlds, 2026 promises something special for every museum visitor.
