London has been crowned the fifth most LGBTQ-friendly city in the world thanks to its thriving nightlife and inclusive culture. London has some of the best gay clubs in the country, including Heaven in Charing Cross, which was the first gay superclub when it opened in 1979, and G.A.Y on Old Compton Street, which regularly pulls in some of the UK's most famous singers for performances. If partying isn't your thing, there are hundreds of iconic sightseeing attractions to visit across the city, from Madame Tussauds to Big Ben and Buckingham Palace.
Often referred to as the LGBTQ capital of the UK, many of the city's LGBTQ bars, shops, and restaurants can be found around St James's Street in Kemptown. For an extra special trip, why not try to coincide your visit with Pride? Arguably the most fun, raucous and inclusive parade in the country, it draws visitors from all over. When you need to relax after a long day, Brighton has a beautiful seafront and lots of upmarket restaurants.
It's been claimed that Hebden Bridge has more lesbians per head than anywhere else in the country. This small North Yorkshire town is the perfect place to get away from it all, with winding cobbled streets, LGBTQ bookshops, and quaint cafes. It's also the perfect base for walks and hikes in the Yorkshire Dales and is only a short drive away from the Bronte's house at Haworth. At night, many local pubs have open mic nights, where you can relax in front of a traditional open fire.
Anyone who's from Manchester will tell you why they love it so much; this northern city has bags of character with a population to match. Massively influenced by music, it has a buzzy, cool atmosphere that draws people back to visit again and again. Like London, it has a busy nightlife scene, with dozens of LGBTQ-friendly bars, particularly around Canal Street, otherwise known as 'The Gay Village'. Manchester offers plenty of daytime activities too, with fantastic shopping, museums, and picnic spots along the canal.