It is easy to find great prices on trains and flights between all of the major cities in the UK.
Why spend another weekend going out to the same old places? You don’t need to go abroad to have a great holiday. A short train ride can open up a whole new world!
Whether it is the allure of the Big Smoke, the football mania of the north, the seaside and beaches of down south or the diversity and shopping mania in the central regions, there is a huge amount of culture to see and visit.
With rolling countryside’s and the unpredictably predictable trademark weather, Great Britain has a lot of exciting hotspots for any avid traveller. Have a look at some of our favourite weekend city trips.
A Little of London
If you only have a couple of days, focus on the centre of the city. It would take months to see everything but you can make it to most of the top attractions during one weekend if you plan well.
The London Eye is the best place to start your trip. It has the greatest view in the city, if not all of the UK. Buy your tickets in advance or come prepared to wait in a long queue.
From the London Eye, take a tourist boat. The hop-on hop-off tickets will save you time and money. The boat brings you past all of the top attractions in the city. A two day ticket will give you everything that you need for a weekend at all of the top sites.
Buying the London Pass can save on entrance fees and let you bypass queues so definitely consider getting one if you will be going to the major attractions.
The Best of the North East in Newcastle
To get a postcard view of Newcastle, check out the Tyne Bridges. From the centre of the city, you can see the famous Tyne Bridge as well as the High Level and Millennium Bridges.
For a lesson in local history, go underneath the city to the Victoria Tunnel. It’s a memorable journey that you will leave you with a completely different perspective of Newcastle.
The best place for a stroll is on Grey Street. There is everything from £1 shops to high end boutiques there. You can easily spend a day there just taking in the gorgeous architecture and people watching at the cafes.
Newcastle also has one of the UK’s best beaches so plan an afternoon at Longsands Beach, especially if you go during the summer months. It’s clean, calm, and packed with amenities.
Birmingham, the UK’s Second Biggest City
The best way to see all of the main tourist attractions in Birmingham is to take a walk through the city centre. Start at the top of Broadway Street near Symphony Hall. It is only about a 20 minute walk from the beginning to the end of Broadway Street but you could spend days exploring it. While you are sightseeing on Broadway, be sure to check out Repertory Theatre and the Museum and Art Gallery. The brand new Library of Birmingham is also a great architectural delight.
New Street is another perfect place for a stroll. Start at Victoria Square then spend the afternoon going through all of the shopping, cafes, and restaurants in the area.
Head West to Bristol
Bristol is one of the warmest cities in the UK so it’s a great place to walk around and enjoy the waterfront. After you walk the shoreline, check out the tourist ferries. There are special holiday cruises, wildlife tours, and guided tourists trips. From the boat, you can get a great view of one of the city’s most beautiful landmarks, the Clifton Suspension Bridge.
Brunel’s SS Great Britain is one of the city’s top tourist draws and was voted one of the UK’s finest visitor attractions. Better than any museum, the ship is a truly engaging way to learn about the history of the area.
To get a panoramic view from above, go to the Cabot Tower. There are lovely gardens outside to relax in and the view from up there is unparalleled. It’s the perfect place to take photos.
Manchester’s Football Heaven
If you are a football fan, Manchester is the ideal spot to catch a game. Manchester United’s home at Old Trafford is the place to be on game night. It’s on the outskirts of the city, but a quick trip to Trafford is well worth it.
The China Town in Manchester is the second biggest China Town in the UK and the third largest in Europe. It’s it located in the centre of the city so it’s an easy detour from most attractions. You can easily spend an afternoon there trying the local cuisine, shopping, and just taking in the amazing architecture.
When you are in Manchester, be sure to take advantage of Metroshuttle. It’s a free bus that runs by all of the major attractions.
Beatle Mania in Liverpool
If you are a serious Beatles fan, you’ll love getting to see John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s childhood homes. Plan to also stop by the Casbah Coffee Club where the band got their start. Even if you aren’t a Beatles fan, Casbah Coffee Club is worth seeing. From there, you can get a real glimpse into the city’s life and culture during the 1950’s and 1960’s.
For the best view of the city, head to the top of the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. The architecture is gorgeous and it’s one of the world’s largest Anglican cathedrals.
Before you leave, spend an afternoon walking Albert Dock. It’s a beautiful waterfront and you could spend hours exploring the shops and museums.
Glasgow, the City of Music
For an interactive look at Glasgow during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, go see the Tenement House. To take in the artistic culture, stop by the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in the West End. Plan your visit there for late afternoon because you will want to stick around for the evening. The West End has the best nightlife in the city.
The Botanical Gardens are another must-see of the West End. If you stay out late, plan a nice relaxing morning there to wind down.
It is easy to find great prices on trains and flights between all of the major cities in the UK if you book at least 30 days in advance. You can often find transport options that cost less than a night out in your home city so these is no excuse for not getting out and exploring!
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