The UK has some great city breaks to be had throughout the year. London is of course the number 1 city break in the UK but here we look at 7 other city breaks that are becoming very popular.
1. Edinburgh is the most visited city in Scotland and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Famous for raucous New Year Celebrations (Hogmanay) and the hilarious Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August, Edinburgh is a great destination for a weekend break full of celtic culture and Scottish tradition.
2. Leeds has emerged as a top shopping destination in the last few years and even has a Harvey Nichols department store on the city’s premier shopping street ‘Briggate’. The nightlife and restaurant scene is thriving but there’s culture and arts too…. the fantastic Royal Armouries Musuem complex is well worth a visit.
3. Liverpool as a destination would please visitors of all and ages and interests. Beatlemania is still popular in Liverpool – highlights include Mathew Street and the Cavern Club, The Beatles Story on Albert Dock and the Hard Day’s Night Hotel littered with memorabilia. Shoppers are also well catered for the new Liverpool One shopping complex, whilst art buffs will love the eclectic exhibitions at Liverpool Tate (also on Albert Dock). Liverpool also has a big wheel now!
4. Original Tudor effect buildings are par for the course in Chester city centre, with covered stone walkways and boutique shops, Chester makes for a classy city break. Visit in the summer when the Chester Races take place and spend your winnings the next day!
5. Cambridge couldn’t be more quintessentially English. From the ancient Cambridge University and its stunning architecture to traditional English pubs stocked with locally produced ales, Cambridge is where you’d point an American tourist looking for an authentic ‘best of English’ rolled up in one city experience.
6. In England’s south west corner lies the spa town of Bath, built up by the Romans in AD43 and a popular spa retreat in the Georgian era, Bath is a fine way to spend a city break. Bath’s Royal Crescent recently came 2nd in Google Street Views Best Street Awards whilst Milsom Street in Bath was voted Britain’s Best Fashion Street. To top off the accolades Bath does actually have the original Roman Baths that now attract nearly 4 million visitors per year.
7. The most southerly city on our UK City Breaks round up, Brighton is makes for a great short break, especially from London – it’s just over an hour by train before a 5 minute walk down to the promenade and the famous pebbly beach. It’s worth visiting the Royal Pavilion, transformed by John Nash and one time seaside palace of Prince Regent (George IV) and juts out as one of the most dazzling, if not surprising buildings in the UK.
