For understandable reasons, the capital is a big draw for tourists. People flock from across the world for the chance to see Westminster, Buckingham Palace, and the London Eye up close.
A City Break in the UK
But we shouldn’t neglect the other cities in the UK, many of which have a huge amount to offer. The north of the country is easily reachable, thanks to impressive rail links. As a consequence, you can easily plan an extensive tour which includes several major cities.
York
The centrepiece of this amazing ancient city is the York Minster Cathedral, which is among the largest and best examples of classic Gothic architecture. You’ll also want to make time for the city walls, and the famous Shambles – the street which provided inspiration for Diagon Alley, in the Harry Potter series.
Cambridge
Cambridge is undoubtedly best known for its amazing university, which was formed in the 13th century, and is now a world leader. The university grounds themselves are worth a visit, thanks to a series of amazing buildings and gardens. On the other hand, you might go for a punt along the river.
Edinburgh
Few cities in the UK are quite like Edinburgh. It’s built around the famous castle, which sits atop an extinct volcano in the centre. The surrounding Old Town, and the Royal Mile, should be considered mandatory components of any trip to the city. It’s packed with little bars, restaurants, and souvenir sellers.
Bath
This city takes its name from the natural springs that the Romans first established it on. The look of the city is defined by its custard-yellow buildings, exemplified in the Georgian Crescent.
In recent years, Bath has become something of a hub for gastronomy, with incredible little restaurants and street-food establishments springing up throughout the city centre.
Liverpool
The tourist appeal of Liverpool is, to a large extent, built around the success of its most famous cultural export: the Beatles. There are Beatles-related museums and monuments spread throughout the city. Liverpool is, of course, a city built around its docks, where you’ll now find a world-class art gallery in the form of the Tate Liverpool. Then, of course, there’s the Cathedral, which overlooks the city from atop St James’s Mount. This is the largest Cathedral in the country, and contains the largest pipe organ in the UK.
Oxford
We’ll round off our list with another famous university city. Again, it’s worth a look around some of the world’s most prestigious college buildings, and the accompanying grounds. But it’s also worth considering the History of Science Museum and the long-running Botanic Garden and Arboretum. Even if you’re not studying in the city, you can take the time to learn a thing or two during your stay!
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