Hull has secured a prestigious spot on National Geographic's annual list of the world's top 25 destinations to visit in 2026, marking the only UK location to receive the honour. The East Yorkshire city's inclusion comes as it prepares to complete an ambitious £70 million maritime regeneration project, which aims to transform its international tourism appeal.
A Maritime Metamorphosis
The recognition from the globally respected publication highlights Hull's journey from a city with a historically challenging reputation to an emerging world-class visitor destination. The ambitious Hull Maritime project is a direct legacy of the city's successful tenure as the UK City of Culture in 2017, though its completion has faced several delays. The year 2026 is now set as the pivotal moment when the full vision comes to life.
Central to this transformation is the meticulous restoration of the Arctic Corsair, a deep-sea trawler built in 1960. This vessel is a powerful symbol of Hull's proud fishing heritage, having operated during the Cod Wars with Iceland and once holding world records for its catches of cod and haddock. After being closed to the public in 2018, the 57-metre-long trawler, often called Hull's Cutty Sark, now gleams following its restoration by local firm Dunston Ship Repairs.
Dave Clark, technical director at Dunston, described the work as a labour of love for a team deeply connected to the city's maritime past. "People need to be on it, it needs to be seen," he said. "They need to hear the stories, to see the working conditions… men working 16 hours a day." The trawler's final move to a permanent dry dock home will be a significant logistical operation, involving dredging and a complex manoeuvre.
Key Attractions Set to Reopen
The project extends far beyond a single ship. The Spurn Lightship, which for five decades guided vessels through the perilous Humber estuary, will reopen to visitors after its own refurbishment. Meanwhile, the city's much-loved Maritime Museum is preparing to welcome the public again after a five-year closure.
Housed in grand former dock offices, the museum's renovation has addressed critical issues like a leaking roof that once required plastic sheeting to protect whale skeletons. Curator Robin Diaper emphasised the dual aim of the project: to achieve a world-class standard seen in major global cities while ensuring it remains accessible and welcoming for local residents. The popular stuffed polar bear, Erik, on loan from Dundee, will also return as a centrepiece.
Overcoming a Historic Reputation
Hull's inclusion in a list featuring destinations like Manila, Beijing, and the North Dakota Badlands has prompted surprise in some quarters, given the city's long-standing reputation. This was famously encapsulated in a 17th-century poem that pleaded for deliverance from "Hell, Hull and Halifax."
However, Mike Ross, the Liberal Democrat leader of Hull City Council, expressed no such astonishment. "There was a sense of surprise for some," he acknowledged. "But why shouldn't Hull be one of the top 25 places? It has got so much going for it." He identified the core challenge as shifting perceptions, so people know in advance they will have a great time in Hull, rather than being surprised by it afterwards.
With additional draws like the Ferens Art Gallery, Wilberforce House Museum, and The Deep aquarium, the city's tourism officers are confident that the 2026 openings will solidify Hull's status as a compelling destination. The completion of a £21 million refurbishment of Queen's Gardens, a former dock turned public space, will further enhance the visitor experience.
For retired maritime engineer Cliff Gledhill, who once worked on the Arctic Corsair, the restoration is a tribute to the city's industrial heart. "It was the pride of the fleet," he said, recalling his time on the vessel over 50 years ago. "This is going to be a massive attraction." As the final touches are applied, Hull is poised to prove its place on the world stage, inviting travellers to discover its rich maritime story and vibrant future.
