UK City Break Recommendations

Yes, heartily agree that Edinburgh and Bath have so much to offer, and we loved our visits there. We’ve also spent time in Glasgow, Portsmouth and Plymouth, so are seriously considering the following places where we haven’t yet been to - Liverpool, followed by Harrogate, Bristol and Cardiff. In fact, we’ll possibly visit all four places over the next year or so. Enjoy your holiday in Harrogate/Knaresborough Whiff, and please tell us all about it. Being a keen gardener, I’ll definitely pay a visit to Harlow Carr. 🌷😊

Edinburgh has got everything you mentioned, google it.

Bath is a beautiful city.

Cardiff, lots of shops, market, parks and wonderful countryside. Castles, seaside and St Fagan’s the Welsh folk museum , within a bus ride.

We’re currently staying at Portsmouth and are really enjoying it for a change - we haven’t been here for years.
We’re finding it really interesting and convenient especially as husband has limited mobility using a Rollator and it takes him forever to walk anywhere.
We took the train to Portsmouth Harbour station and are staying at a Prenier inn 5 minutes from the station and almost opposite the entrance to Portsmouth historic dockyards and an easy walk to Gunwharf quays and the Spinnaker tower.
Amongst other things we’ve been on a boat trip around the harbour and taken a Ferry to Gosport.
There’s lots of pubs and restaurants close by and buses if you want to visit somewhere else.

I’d go to Liverpool for the accent. It is wonderful - so rich and full of historical significance. We are all different. I wish it was easy to get there for us, just too far these days. I like most of the regional accents with one exception but I’m not saying which!

Edinburgh fits all anyone could want . There is the history , the wonderful free museums and art galleries , lovely places to eat , the Royal Yacht and the castle to visit plus Holyrood Palace and the Scottish parliament building . There are different theatres to go to and good transport links to the city and in the city. You can even have a tram ride .

Gwenisgreat I am having a holiday in Harrogate in September. Never been before so looking forward to exploring. Knaresborough is now on my list to visit.

I travel by train with travel assistance that way I don't have to worry about getting the correct train and any changes .

Glasgow packed with museums, parks. Botanic gardens, theatres, restaurants etc. Bath also a great place for exploration and culture. Edinburgh and Bristol.

Gwenisgreat1

Well, I live in Harrogate, my DH and I are very happy here. Harrogate has two theatres and two cinemas. Super shops, we have The Valley Gardens, which often has specialist markets or outdoor entertainment. The Valley Gardens is where mny of Harrogate's wells are. A short bus trip will take you to the historic Knaresborough and a lovely stroll by the river. We also have the original Bettys here.

I love Harrogate we have spent two short holidays there.

We walked through the valley gardens and on to Harlow Carr and back.

Enjoyed tea at Betty’s.

Visited the baths.

Tripped to York.

Trip to the moors.

Wondered around looking at the architecture, - so different to our Regency architecture.

Stayed in the same Hotel that A. Christie spent time in when she went “missing”.

Another vote for Liverpool from me.

Well said Whiff I was late reading the post so I just made a brief remark at the time. I am a proud Scouser I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else because this is home and who I am each to their own.
Every town and city has something to offer and are not faultless. I am proud to say Liverpool has a rich history with spectacular architecture. Most people are generous and have humour and kindness in their nature. Criticism is taken for what it is and as for insults we can take it on the chin.

Thank you Whiff, Liverpool really has so much to offer and it’s top of my list at the moment. The Premier Inn is a consideration, as they are usually good value for money, clean and comfortable. We probably won’t be going for a while, so will have time to consider all the cities that have been recommended.
We’ve stayed in Winchester and Lincoln in the past, as family live there. Also, Salisbury, as mentioned. All lovely, but we still fancy going somewhere we haven’t been before. 😊

Winchester or Salisbury, you could see both using the train. Winchester is celebrating 250 years of Jane Austen in 2025 if that interests you both, the Cathedral, Round Table, river walks to name a few attractions. I’m not so familiar with Salisbury.

I moved to Liverpool area 5.5 years ago after many years of visits to see my children.

Dr Watson you are very rude about the Scouse accent. I have never known such kind hearted people as in Liverpool infact the whole of Merseyside. They have a brilliant transport system with buses and local over ground/ underground trains. Museum are wonderful plus all the theatres and of the Liverpool Phil ,Music room and other music venues.
Port Sunlight,Southport ,Birkdale,Ainsdale ,Formby ,Crosby a must to visit . On Crosby beach you have the Gormly statues . Formby lots of sand dunes.
People don't realise how quickly you get into the countryside from the city .
York is wonderful and recommend the hop on hop off bus . Lincoln is another lovely place and the Cathedral ceiling looks like the haul of a ship up side down .

Premier inn and Travel lodge have accessible rooms for walking and wheelchair disabled which are brilliant. The shower room in premier Inn is about the size of a double bedroom. So any one who is disabled highly recommended them . They have twin beds but the beds can be joined together to make a double .

DrWatson how rude are you really? the OP was simply requesting for suggestions about locations to visit for a trip.

There is no need to comment on an area and the accent that you obviously don’t like.

As a Geordie I would go for Newcastle. Easy by train and a good local train service to get about. Can be a bit rowdy in the city centre though, at weekends. Visit the Sage for a concert to avoid the stag and hen do' s, or join the fun

Shrewsbury

If I were considering a city break it would be Oxford, Cambridge, Bath or Cardiff including the Bay. Bristol can also be interesting depending on individual preferences. All have lots of accommodation easily accessed from the station. I’ll second the comment about Gloucester. We used to love it but other than a beautiful cathedral we find little to absorb us now. Happy choosing .

Durham has so much to offer. Fabulous weekend break

We have family and friends who love Harrogate, and it’s somewhere I’ve always wanted to visit. It is still on the list, as well as Plymouth. Thank you,

Well, I live in Harrogate, my DH and I are very happy here. Harrogate has two theatres and two cinemas. Super shops, we have The Valley Gardens, which often has specialist markets or outdoor entertainment. The Valley Gardens is where mny of Harrogate's wells are. A short bus trip will take you to the historic Knaresborough and a lovely stroll by the river. We also have the original Bettys here.

Marg75

How about Plymouth, a beautiful city. It has a lovely waterfront, Plymouth Hoe, where you can walk or enjoy a meal or just coffee and watch the ships, the Barbican where there are some lovely restaurants. Most of all there is so much history to learn about, and you can stand where the Mayflower left, taking the Pilgrims to America over 400 years ago. There's a wonderful theatre, and museum as well.

I agree, and completely underrated in my opinion.

It's my home city and although I was desperate to move away as a teenager (and I did) I have grown fonder of it over the years and now live just an hour away.

The city center is improving, but don't go for the shopping! Although I would visit that part of the city for the architecture. Just make sure you understand the history of its evolution before you go. It will make more sense, and help you appreciate it's aesthetic.

The Pannier Market should be visited if only to look at the (of their time) bas relief sculptures in the main entrances.

A visit to the Hoe and Barbican are a must, as is the Victorian built museum with it's recent modernist extension called 'The Box'.

The University sits squarely in the city center and is hard to miss. Armada Way is newly landscaped (with some work still going on).

The Theatre Royal is part of the West End touring circuit and gets all of the current West End Shows.

Have I sold it to you?!

I’ve read out all your responses to my OH after dinner tonight. Thank you everyone, I so appreciate your views. We have spent time in Brighton, Canterbury and Eastbourne, so want to venture further afield. Bristol sounds good! I’ll also look at other places you’ve recommended that we hadn’t thought of. Was Birmingham mentioned at all? Neither of us have spent time there, apart from at the NEC when I was working. I’m open to all your suggestions.

Bristol is really vibrant & qwerky, good to walk /cycle or there are the "hop on / hop off " scooters which half the city uses to get around. You could stop off to revisit Bath on the way back as it's a stop en route to Kent, & the train between Bath & Bristol (apart from time in tunnel) is very scenic.
If anyone's visiting, Clifton Suspension Bridge is not to be missed.Have a look beforehand at what's on while you're there, there's lots of venues.