From London To Leeds: The Top 10 Cities To Visit In The UK
For a relatively small country the United Kingdom offers a great deal of regional diversity, with many of its greatest cities surprisingly close to each other. From Liverpool and Leeds in Northern England to Bath and Bristol in the south-west there is somewhere for everyone to enjoy visiting in Britain.
London
The obvious choice when planning a visit to or within the UK, but London has so much on offer! From world renowned historical sights, to museum and gallery collections, to amazing restaurants, unique markets, and a fabulously vibrant night-life, there is nothing you could want that London hasn’t got. The accommodation options in London are endless, but when travelling to the capital we think it’s better to go big and spring for real luxury. If the whimsical Sanderson Hotel is all booked up, then consider checking out the classically English Chesterfield Mayfair in Knightsbridge.
Edinburgh
Long considered the intellectual capital of the UK, Scotland’s largest city promises a long menu of cultural delights that include history, art and literature as well as startling natural beauty inside the city itself. Walk along the Water of Leith to escape the hustle of the city, or climb to the top of the Scott Monument for fantastic views of the city-centre. The Chester Residence in the west end of town offers tasteful designer apartment suites and personalised service within walking distance from art galleries, museums, shopping, and dining. The nearby rural county of Fife makes for a great daytrip with lovely old towns and villages dotting the region throughout.
Bath
A romantic city that began long life as a Roman spa, Bath has been a favorite city-break in the United Kingdom for centuries. Highlights from this picturesque city include gorgeous Georgian Architecture and crescent houses, the Museum of Costume, and the Thermae Bath Spa, Britain’s only natural thermal spa. Bath has a number of cute bed and breakfasts, but why not stay in the iconic Royal Crescent itself? The Royal Crescent Hotel occupies the two central buildings on the original crescent and its rooms are furnished in authentic period style, with carpets, furnishings, fabrics and colour schemes just as they would have been in the eighteenth century.
Manchester
Considered to be the unofficial capital of northern England, equidistant between Liverpool and Leeds, nearly every interesting destination of the north is accessible by an hour’s train ride from the city or less. Manchester affords the good shopping and dining options one would expect from a major city, but don’t forget to check out the futuristic Trinity Bridge, which links Manchester and Salford and leads to the five-star Lowry Hotel on the Salford bank.
Leeds
The largest city in Yorkshire, Leeds is now a major financial centre famous for its University, night-life, and shopping. As a railway hub for much of northern England, Leeds has excellent transport links to many other points of interest in the region such as Sheffield, Ilkley, and Todmorden. The Residence Six luxury apartments in Leeds are a comfortable and stylish base from which to explore Northern England.
The apartments feature fully-equipped kitchens and spacious living areas for real relaxation and respite. If you don’t feel like making use of the kitchen, the Residence Six also has two restaurants on-site. Loch Fyne serves up fresh seafood and the Restaurant Bar & Grill is great for ambience and people watching as its one of the most popular eateries in Leeds.
York
An ancient cathedral city, York possesses some of the best preserved historical buildings in Europe. The city offers a number of pleasant walking tours that explore York’s fascinating history and architecture and comes highly recommended for its unique boutiques. If you want to wake up in luxury, try the Cedar Court Grand Hotel and Spa, a converted Edwardian building that overlooks the historic city wall.
Brighton
This pretty seaside city has been a popular holiday spot since the 19th century and boasts unique boutiques, charming restaurants and the infamous and opulent Royal Pavilion. Brighton is filled with Victorian architecture and buildings many of which are still in use, like magnificent the Mecure Brighton Seafront Hotel. As a haven for creative professionals Brighton possesses several small art galleries and is of particular interest to anyone looking to expand or start their collection of originals.
Liverpool
Known the world over as the home of the Beatles, Liverpool was the European Capital of Culture in 2008 and remains famous for its football (soccer) teams and bustling night-life. Seel Street was voted by the people of Google to be the “fourth hippest street in the UK” and has become the destination for locals and visitors alike. Visit the Peacock for electronic beats in their upstairs lounge on Thursday and free BBQ on Friday in the bar. Like the city itself the Hope Street Hotel is stylish and hip without affectation.
Bristol
The fourth most popular visitor destination in England, Bristol offers a diverse range of attractions, bars, and events. Famed for its maritime history, the city has also become something of a hub for the media industries with one of the biggest creative communities in the UK.
Make sure you check out the out-of-town shopping centre; the mall.
Birmingham
The second largest city in the UK, Birmingham is an excellent shopping, night-life and cultural destination. Recent investment and revitalisation initiatives have transformed city, replacing depressing post war buildings with modern and dynamic architecture. For sleek arty chic check out the very cool and very centrally located flats at the Rotunda from the boutique hospitality group Staying Cool. With punch colour accents, amazing views of the vibrant, bustling city, free Wi-Fi and a Gaggia espresso machine with fresh coffee and local milk in every apartment, the Rotunda stays very cool indeed.