Curious about the country you live in? Short on time? Keen to travel more sustainably and avoid unnecessary flights? There's many reasons to take a city break in the UK. And, fortunately, there's a plethora of interesting places here to explore.
It can be easy to overlook the rich history, cultural variety, sumptuous food scene and architectural grandeur that the U.K. has to offer, dismissing the notion of taking a holiday relatively nearby as something you can always get up to in the future. Reader, it's a great time to take a city break here. Cheaper, easier, and without any of the attendant stress of negotiating a different language.
The NationalWorld team is made up of journalists who live and work across the breadth of the U.K., so we've collaborated on a list of our favourite nearby holiday spots.
Some plumped for locales that were great for theatre, culture, museums - others for towns that offer the award-winning cuisine. Others yet opted for cities by the beach, for added surf-side fun, while some predicated their picks on where to find fabulous tipples.
There's so much to see and experience in the U.K.- from the towering spires of Oxford, the buzzing music scene of Manchester, to the historic majesty of Bath. So jump a train or hop in your car, take your family, your best friend, your lover or just yourself and a desire for fun - here are the best city breaks in the U.K. (without falling back on good ol' London).
The NationalWorld team is made up of journalists who live and work across the breadth of the U.K., so we've collaborated on a list of our favourite nearby holiday spots.
5. Manchester
Manchester occupies a place in the heart of many a music lover, the birthplace of legendary British acts, from New Order to Oasis, The Smiths to the Chemical Brothers and many more. And its music scene is still thriving. From June, a true city highlight will be Factory International - a new arts and music venue that will present an ambitious year-round programme of original creative work, music and special events from global artists - including over 80 gigs a year. Carve out as much time as you can for a Manchester holiday - the restaurant scene is superlative, as is the shopping. Make a beeline for Spinningfields estate, which houses some of the city’s best restaurants and bars, from Chinese Tattu, The Lawn Club, Spanish restaurant Iberica to beloved pub Oast House.
Photo: Madrugada Verde - stock.adobe.co
7. The bridges of Newcastle
It’s a party town, alright - Newcastle is synonymous with nightlife, and ideal for a group celebration - no wonder stag and hen dos throng the streets of ‘The Toon’. But an urban escape to Newcastle has so much more to offer. Head to up and coming neighbourhood Ouseburn, which has sloughed off its rough, industrial past to become a thriving cultural scene. The Cluny music centre there is a must visit, while Seven Stories, the national centre for children’s books, is mandatory if you have wee ones. Food-wise, it’s a smorgasbord of delicious choice: sumptuous vegetarian food at The Ship Tyneside, gastropub excellence at Brinkburn Street Bar & Kitchen, open-fire cooking at By The River Brew Co. Carve out a day to enjoy Newcastle’s spectacular surf, too - Sandhaven is well worth the diversion.
Photo: Silvan - stock.adobe.com