My favourite English cities
Often when people make plans to visit Britain as a tourist, the only city they consider is London. Although, as the capital city of England, it is a lively and interesting place with many historical and cultural sites, people often forget the rest of the United Kingdom and all the exciting things it has to offer. So here are some of my favourite cities of the United Kingdom that you may not have heard much about …
1. Glasgow
One of Scotland’s biggest cities, Glasgow sadly has a reputation for being ugly, dirty and dangerous. The first time I visited, I realised how wrong this stereotype was! The city has many universities, so it is full of young people, and it is also home to many museums and art galleries, making it one of Scotland’s cultural hubs. There are also beautiful historical sites, from ancient churches to the Mausoleum, where many of the city’s most famous people are buried.
2. Manchester
My grandparents live near Manchester, so I’ve spent a lot of time in the area. It’s a very diverse and vibrant city, where many different cultures collide: this means lots of interesting people and authentic restaurants: for example, the ‘Curry Mile’ is a long road famous for its Indian restaurants and takeaways. The city is a wonderful mix of historic sites and modern developments.
3. Bristol
As it is in the south of England, Bristol is very easy to travel to from London. It is a very beautiful city that features a gorgeous cathedral and scenic cobbled streets. The River Avon runs through the city, and the suspension bridge allows you to walk high over the water and watch it stretch ahead for miles. I also loved the numerous vintage and second-hand clothing shops I found along its back alleys!
4. Newcastle
I go to university in Durham, which is only ten minutes away from Newcastle on the train, and in three years I still haven’t run out of things to do in this bustling city. Many people associate Newcastle with the television programme Geordie Shore, but don’t let that stereotype put you off ! Newcastle is one of the North’s biggest cities, renowned for its shopping and busy nightlife, but it also boasts a beautiful river, art galleries, theatres and restaurants.
So if you ever find yourself in the UK, consider trying something different than London! Some of our best cities are in the North, but train journeys can be easily affordable if booked well in advance, and I personally think it’s definitely worth a few hours of travel time!
