With a diverse range of options, UK city breaks let you explore all manner of new towns, getting to know their cuisine, culture, and history. Whether you're looking to plan a break on a budget or seeking out the country's best historic and foodie destinations, there's an ideal choice awaiting you.
The UK is full of opportunities for holidays that don't break the bank, whether you're interested in city strolling or time at the beach.
The biggest city of the North has plenty of unique districts to explore. Check out Chinatown for superb food, or drink and dance at the trendy bars and clubs of the Northern Quarter. The Arndale Centre is unbeatable for great shopping, and the Castlefield conservation area is wonderful for a peaceful stroll.
A city that's a great value for culture seekers. It houses The Beatles Story museum, covering the history of the town's most famous former residents. The Royal Albert Dock is a recently-renovated part of town that's become a hub for great restaurants and bars. The Royal Liver Building was built in the early 20th century and is particularly beautiful when floodlit at night.
A favourite for family holidays, this is the best place to go for a traditional British seaside break. The Pleasure Beach has everything from thrill rides to attractions that smaller children can enjoy. You could spend hours in the arcades alone, playing video games or having a go at winning prizes on the 2p pushers. All in all, it's unbeatable for good old-fashioned family fun on holiday.
If you're looking for somewhere to indulge in great gastronomy, look no further than these attractive cities.
Of course, the capital is the place of choice for everything from traditional English fare to every kind of international cuisine imaginable. Ever tried Peruvian, Ethiopian, or Baltic food? In London, these and many other options await. Of course, it's brimming with cultural and historic sites too, including the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace.
This quirky south coast town is a haven for vegan and international food. It's also superb for hearty, familiar dishes such as fish and chips, especially at the renowned Bankers restaurant. Brighton's beach, nightlife, and artistic scene are all popular reasons to visit.
This well-to-do town has plenty of high-end restaurants which foodies will appreciate. Raphael mixes the best of French and British cuisine in a gorgeous setting, while Olive Tree presents the best local ingredients in gourmet style. The Roman Baths are one of the UK's most popular visitor attractions, and well worth visiting during your stay here.
Where are the most Instagrammable historic towns in the UK? Great Britain is a nation steeped in history, boasting some of the most beautiful old towns and cities in the world. For the many visitors that flock to the UK every year, it’s the fascinating - sometimes gruesome - history of Britain's towns that intrigues them. From windy cobblestoned streets - to spectacular grand cathedrals and castles, the UK has many historical sights to explore.
HometoGo has researched the 25 most instagrammed historical towns in the UK, so that you know where to travel to capture that perfect picture for your feed! We focused our research on towns whose origins pre-date the 17th century or earlier. This formed our final list of the most instagrammed spots, which ranges all the way from Canterbury to Carlise.
Methodology: Search data was used to identify 100 historic towns in the UK whose origins pre-date the 17th Century. The top 25 are the destinations from this shortlist with the most Instagram hashtags (from all time). Data was collected on the 27th of August 2019.
London - with its coloured history and old architecture - storms into 1st place, with 127.8 million hashtags
Smaller towns also made the list. Stratford-upon-Avon, the home of Shakespeare had a total of 252,000 hashtags
Characterised by stone turrets, winding streets, and ancient buildings, Edinburgh is a magical maze of a city. The origins of the city date back to the early Middle Ages and it subsequently became a central stronghold for the royal charter for many years, gaining its status as the capital of Scotland in the middle of the 14th century. In the present day, Edinburgh has established itself as one of the UK’s cultural hubs-, hosting the world-famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival every August. Its historical past has even inspired great literature -JK Rowling is said to have based Hogwarts on the historic castle.
Bristol’s history is underpinned by its role as a port city. In the mid-17th century, Bristol’s economy boomed because of its southwesterly geography - traders began importing tobacco and sugar from the West Indies. The city’s history went through a darker chapter in the 18th century, as Bristol was one of the key ports involved in the slave trade with Africa and North America. Nowadays, the city is a vibrant gem of the West Country, famed for its bohemian vibe, colourful architecture, and the yearly Bristol International Balloon Fiesta
The city of York was founded by the Romans and at that time, the city was protected by a stone wall and its inhabitants enjoyed communal bathing houses and comfortable homes. However, in the 4th-century, Roman civilization began to break down - the town was abandoned and much of it fell to ruins. It was later taken over by Viking rule, where it flourished as a centre for trade. The infamous William the Conqueror also reigned over this ancient city for a large period, cementing its position as the powerhouse of the North. Today, the castle remains where visitors pause to imagine the many grand banquets and bloody battles that once took place in those walls.
