Discover new venues in the heart of London, exciting anniversary celebrations and a range of inspiration for trips over the next year.
The latest London venues to open
From February groups can enjoy world-class dance at Sadler’s Wells East, while later in the year, two new V&A sites will open. Sadler’s Wells East will feature a 550-seat theatre for live dance performances, ranging from hip hop to ballet, and a public performance space. The venue will be open to group bookings starting at ten people.
Due to open on 31st May, V&A East Storehouse will offer behind-the-scenes access to the V&A collections, allowing visitors to explore half a million creative works, spanning every era, discipline and corner of the globe. The collection and exhibitions will range from the Glastonbury Festival archive to Elton John’s costumes, vintage football shirts, high-end fashion from Dior to Balenciaga, Roman paintings, samurai swords, furniture and the iPhone.
The free-to-enter museum will have opportunities to watch and listen to the day-to-day activity of a working museum store and over 100 small displays. A second site, V&A East Museum, is scheduled to open in spring 2026.
Elsewhere, Guinness lovers can look forward to the opening of a new microbrewery and culture hub in Covent Garden this year. Guinness at Old Brewer’s Yard will produce limited edition beers and offer tours with Guinness beer specialists, allowing visitors to taste and learn about the iconic stout. A range of rotating cuisines will be available at an open-fire kitchen, restaurant and 360-degree glass rooftop space within the development.
Back in London, a new theatre is set to open in the autumn. Located at Westfield London in Shepherd’s Bush, Capital Theatre will seat 620 people who will surround the stage, where every seat is no more than nine rows from the performance area. Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story on Stage will be the first production to open at the venue when performances begin in October..
Historic venues
In Scotland, the Inverness Castle Experience will celebrate the ‘spirit of the Highlands’, opening in the spring. The existing castle buildings and gardens are being transformed from their original use as the home of Inverness’ prison and courts into an interactive visitor attraction which celebrates the Highlands of Scotland.
The experience will take visitors through landscaped gardens to the South Tower, where they will be guided by a storyteller. 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.
On Wednesday afternoons, weekends and during school holidays, for the first time since 1646, you can ascend the Kings Tower at Corfe Castle in Wareham, Dorset and experience rare historical features and panoramic views once only reserved for royalty. Called the Kings’ View, the platform stands tall within the Keep where royal living quarters once were. Lasting 30 minutes, groups can enjoy reduced ticket prices when visiting Corfe Castle and the Kings’ View Experience is an additional charge.
Or you can reach new heights and take in the sights with the new Rooftop View at Blenheim Palace. The specially designed platform, which is open on select days throughout 2025, offers stunning views over the Grand Bridge and Great Court, towards the famous Column of Victory. Groups can also explore 2,000 acres of parkland, monuments and wildlife on a visit to the Oxfordshire landmark.
Big anniversaries
Kynren – An Epic Tale of England is celebrating a decade of entertaining audiences in 2025, telling the 2,000-year-old tale of English history, myth and legend with a 1,000-strong volunteer cast and crew. The outdoor live action show in County Durham is expanding its schedule and introducing new highlights during the milestone season.
The Viking Village will return, offering an immersive pre-show experience with authentic sights, sounds and interactions in a recreated settlement. Plus, this year’s show will also feature a special celebration of the 200th anniversary of the nearby Stockton and Darlington Railway, the birthplace of the modern railway. Performances will run on Saturday evenings from 19th July to 13th September, with group discounts and free coach parking available.
2025 marks 50 years of Germany’s largest theme park, Europa Park. On 12th July the attraction will stay open until midnight, allowing guests to enjoy the rides under the stars.
Europa Park’s Camp Resort is also being expanded, giving somewhere for groups to round off their day and stay the night with a Wild West experience. New additions will include a buffet restaurant and log cabins which can be booked for groups starting at 20 people.
The iconic lastminute.com London Eye is celebrating its 25th birthday this year, so what better time to visit the observation wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames? Each capsule holds up to 25 people and can be booked for private use. Larger groups will be split across multiple capsules, but discounted rates apply.
The life and legacy of one of England’s most famous novelists will be celebrated throughout this year with it being 250 years since the birth of Jane Austen. Many attractions along the Great West Way will be holding special events and activities relating to the author, as well as TV and film adaptations of her work. Visit the Jane Austen Centre in Bath and get a snapshot into Regency times, or explore Jane Austen’s House in Chawton, Hampshire and learn more about the six novels she wrote there, along with personal letters and first editions.
Elvis Presley would have been 90 this year and you can experience some of his most iconic moments with a visit to Elvis Evolution in London. This walkthrough immersive attraction provides a multi-sensory journey through Elvis’ rags to riches story, from country boy to musical icon. Groups can enjoy discounted rates as they discover ‘The King of Rock and Roll’ like never before.
