When people think of a city break in the UK, they tend to think of popular cities like London, York, Brighton and Edinburgh. While these destinations are well worth visiting, there is so much more to UK cities.
Below are a few UK cities that are hidden gems and worth adding to your bucket list.
Aberdeen
Aberdeen often gets overlooked when it comes to Scottish cities, but it has so much going for it. It’s the home of Aberdeen Angus beef and is a popular stomping ground for the Royal family.
There are multiple castles dotted in and around Aberdeen and lots of fascinating museums including a unique Maritime museum. The city’s bustling harbour is meanwhile a great place to spot bottlenose dolphins.
Bangor
Bangor is located on the north coast of Wales between Anglesey and Snowdonia. It has some stunning historic architecture including its university, Bangor Cathedral, Penrhyn Castle and Bangor Pier.
There are many vibrant bars and restaurants to try here once you’re done sightseeing. Meanwhile, there’s so much natural beauty on the city’s doorstep if you get bored of the urban sights.
Bath
Bath is a truly picturesque city in the valley of the river Avon. It is named after its Roman-built baths, which you can still visit today.
Other historic attractions include Bath Abbey, The Royal Crescent, Pulteney Bridge and Prior Park Landscape Gardens. You’ll find many fantastic shops and restaurants along its cobbled streets.
Birmingham
Birmingham is the second biggest city in the UK beyond London. It has some incredible museums as well as a huge SEA LIFE centre and Cadbury’s World, making it a great city for families to visit.
Birmingham is also great for a night out, featuring an array of bars and restaurants. There are plenty of minibus taxis in Birmingham that you can hire to get around (this city is quite big and not everything is in walking distance).
Chester
Chester is full of well-preserved history. It has a cathedral that is over 1000 years old and city walls that were built by the Romans.
The city has a very quaint feel to it and has lots of independent shops and restaurants. The city also has a zoo and an aquarium that are well worth visiting if you have kids.
Ely
Ely in Cambridgeshire is often overshadowed by Cambridge. However, it’s arguably just as stunning – it has a magnificent cathedral and a very pretty riverside where there are plenty of bars, restaurants and antique shops.
You can also visit Oliver Cromwell’s house here and a stained glass museum. It’s also very compact, making it easy to see everything by foot.
Leeds
Yorkshire has no shortage of incredible cities. Many people overlook Leeds because it’s more industrial and modern, however it still has many historical attractions (including Harewood House) and interesting museums.
It also has a thriving arts scene including art galleries, theatres and live music. On top of this, the nightlife in Leeds is fantastic.
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