Today I want to share my guide to the best UK city breaks with you. From London to Edinburgh and Cambridge, they range from national capitals to county towns. Each of them has something unique to draw visitors, and they all show off the best of the United Kingdom. Whether you’re looking to go somewhere with beautiful streets or fun nightlife, you’ll find a place you’ll love on my list of the best city breaks in the UK. There’s a map, too.
UK City Breaks
The city breaks on my list are some of the most popular places to visit in the UK. From cultural attractions to rich history, entertainment venues to buzzing nightlife scenes, they have a range of things to do, see, and enjoy.
I’ve visited all these cities and I can personally attest to how great they are as travel destinations. Whether you’re after romantic city breaks in the UK or weekend getaways from London, you’ll find one (or three) you’ll love.
There’s a lot more in the book 52 Great British Weekends, too. You can get it on Amazon here.
1. Edinburgh
When it comes to UK city breaks, Edinburgh tops my list. The Scottish capital is one of the prettiest cities in the UK, and everywhere you look there’s something beautiful to catch your eye.
Edinburgh is famous for its hilltop castle, historic streets, and village-like areas. The views from the Scott Monument and Calton Hill are stunning, the food scene is world-class, and the Royal Mile has amazing history.
If you want to take this city break, you can book a hotel in Edinburgh here. I’ve stayed in the city many times and I love The George. It’s in an ideal location on George Street near St Andrew Square. You can book a room here.
2. Oxford
Oxford is next on my list of British city breaks. This is one of my favorite university cities in the UK.
Not only is it known for academics, but also architecture. From Christ Church to St John’s and Magdalen, there are a lot of famous college buildings within the University of Oxford.
And it doesn’t end there. The city is full of historic pubs, museums, and markets. Oxford is also popular for its Harry Potter filming locations and Alice in Wonderland connections.
If you want to take this city break, you can book a hotel in Oxford here. I’ve stayed at the Malmaison Oxford, which is uniquely set in a former prison. You can book a room here.
3. Cambridge
Oxford’s rival Cambridge is hard to beat for beauty when it comes to city breaks in the UK. The heritage buildings and bucolic scenery around the University of Cambridge make this one of the best cities in England.
I always enjoy walking through Cambridge to see the Gothic chapel interiors, riverside pubs, picturesque bridges, and historic colleges. Being here is like stepping into a painting. This is one of my favorite weekend trips from London by train.
If you want to take this city break, you can book a hotel in Cambridge here. I’ve stayed at the Clayton Hotel and I like its contemporary decor and location near the train station. You can book a room here.
4. London
I couldn’t write a blog post about the best UK city breaks without including London. The UK capital is one of the most famous urban centers in the world, and it’s well worth a visit.
London has world-class everything. No matter what your passions or interests are, you’ll find something to do, see, and love about this city. From museums to music, performances to parks, London has it all.
Spending a couple days in London is a great way to take in the highlights of the city and enjoy a short break.
If you want to take this trip, you can book a hotel in London here. I’ve also written about the best places to stay in London if you want specific recommendations.
5. Chester
Chester is another place that deserves a spot on my list of the best UK city breaks. When it comes to history and charm, Chester is hard to beat. This city has Roman walls, medieval churches, and a half-timbered high street that makes my heart flutter.
Add to that little side streets and colorful doors, and Chester is beautiful everywhere you look.
Along those lines, one of the most beautiful places in Chester is the cathedral. This stunning building has layers of history and makes Chester one of the best cathedral cities in England.
If you want to take this city break, you can book a hotel in Chester here.
6. Durham
Durham is next on my list of the best city breaks in the UK. Durham is worth a trip for its famous cathedral, renowned university, cobbled streets, historic castle, and riverside scenery.
Bursting with heritage, the side streets around the university are ideal places to get a glimpse of Britain’s past. The city has great cafes and river walks, too. This is one of my favorite short breaks in the UK.
If you want to take this trip, you can book a hotel in Durham here. I’ve stayed at a number of places over the years, and my favorite is The Townhouse. I like its themed rooms and historic surroundings. You can book a room here.
7. Manchester
Manchester is another of the top UK city breaks. That’s not least because it’s one of Britain’s great student cities. With fun restaurants, shops, and streets to explore, it has a lively atmosphere and a great nightlife scene.
The Castlefield neighborhood’s 18th-century canal system is an ideal place to take in Manchester’s textile history.
The Salford Quays dockyards are home to the Daniel Libeskind-designed Imperial War Museum North and The Lowry arts center, too.
If you want to take this city break, you can book a hotel in Manchester here. I’ve stayed at the Malmaison Manchester, and I like its lively atmosphere and central location. You can book a room here.
8. Glasgow
Glasgow comes next on my list of the best UK city breaks. My grandmother grew up here and I’ve been visiting since I was a child.
This lively city features an eye-catching mix of historic and contemporary architecture, an impressive food scene, and fun nightlife.
Add to that friendly locals, an intriguing necropolis, colorful markets, street art, and enough museums to keep one entertained for a lifetime, and there’s a lot to do and see in 2 or 3 days in Glasgow.
If you want to take this city break, you can book a hotel in Glasgow here. I’ve stayed at the Grand Central and I like the convenient location by the train station. You can book a room here.
9. Brighton
On the south coast, Brighton is another of the best UK city breaks. Just an hour by train from London, this seaside city is famous for its beaches, pier, Royal Pavilion, and colorful streets filled with shops and restaurants.
With 2 days in Brighton you can see everything from the English Channel to the shopping streets and beyond. You’ll have time to hit the big attractions and take in the city’s famous nightlife and street art scenes, too.
If you want to take this city break, you can book a hotel in Brighton here. I’ve stayed at the Brighton Harbour Hotel and Spa and I like its coastal decor and location on the waterfront. You can book a room here.
10. Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Newcastle-upon-Tyne is another of the best UK city breaks. This place is known for its student population and vibrant nightlife scene.
But there’s culture, too. Grey Street was once voted the finest street in Britain by BBC Radio 4 listeners, and museums like BALTIC ensure Newcastle has a good mix of art exhibitions to see.
And that’s to say nothing of the bridges, which span both the River Tyne and the centuries. Then come Newcastle’s pubs, many of which have stunning heritage interiors and exciting atmospheres.
If you want to take this city break, you can book a hotel in Newcastle here. I’ve stayed at Hotel Indigo, and I like its central location. You can book a room here.
11. York
Also up north, York is another place that deserves a spot on my list of UK city breaks. It’s one of the best cities in England for its old-world charm.
From the medieval city walls to the passages and Snickelways, there’s something beautiful around every corner in York.
Add to that a river, a lot of great shops, a castle, and a cathedral, and York is a real treat. The annual York Christmas markets are worth a special trip, too.
If you want to take this city break, you can book a hotel in York here.
12. Derry / Londonderry
In Northern Ireland, Derry / Londonderry is another great UK city break. This place is known for its riverfront scenery, lively pubs and restaurants, and panoramic views.
Derry / Londonderry is a fun place to do everything from stand-up paddle boarding on the River Foyle to exploring the side streets and hidden courtyards full of independent shops and cafes.
If you want to take this city break, you can book a hotel in Derry / Londonderry here. I’ve stayed at the Bishop’s Gate Hotel, and I like the friendly staff, decor, and central location. You can book a room here.
13. Nottingham
Nottingham may be more famous for Robin Hood than city breaks, but it’s still one of my favorite places to spend a couple days in the UK.
Home of the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University, it’s a great student city.
Beyond the universities, Nottingham has a stunning castle, one of the oldest pubs in England, lots of historic streets, great shopping, and a famous statue of Robin Hood.
If you want to take this city break, you can book a hotel in Nottingham here. I’ve stayed at the Lace Market Hotel, and I like the unique rooms and great location. You can book a room here.
14. Bristol
Bristol is another of the best UK city breaks. It’s an easy train journey from London, and with 2 days in Bristol you can take in the highlights.
Out in southwest England, Bristol is known for its independent spirit and riverside attractions. The Harbourside area is home to the contemporary M Shed museum, which explores the city’s industrial and social heritage.
Converted 19th-century waterfront warehouses shelter fun restaurants, shops, and art galleries, and Clifton is full of Georgian townhouses, elegant crescents, and the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge.
If you want to take this city break, you can book a hotel in Bristol here. I’ve stayed at the Hotel du Vin and I like its spacious rooms and central location. You can book a room here.
15. Belfast
Back in Northern Ireland, Belfast is one of the top UK city breaks. Known for everything from the Titanic Quarter to the Peace Wall, there’s a lot to see and do here.
Add to that lively pubs, great restaurants, and beautiful scenery along the Causeway Coastal Route, and Belfast makes for a great escape.
If you want to take this city break, you can book a hotel in Belfast here. I’ve stayed at the Malmaison Belfast and I like its stunning exterior and city center location. You can book a room here.
16. Bath
Bath is another of the best UK city breaks. Known for its beautiful Cotswold stone buildings and rich history, it’s one of the most popular places to visit in Britain.
The Roman Baths are amazing to see, and the city’s Jane Austen sites offer another historic draw. That’s to say nothing of the Royal Crescent and The Circus, where the curves and columns are a dream.
There are also lots of independent restaurants and shops in Bath that make the city worth a trip. From bookstores to pretty cafes, there’s enough on offer to fill a weekend in Bath.
If you want to take this city break, you can book a hotel in Bath here. I’ve stayed at The Yard in Bath and I love its stylish interiors. You can book a room here.
17. Birmingham
In the Midlands, Birmingham is one of my favorite UK city breaks. This place has everything from centuries-old pubs to colorful creative districts.
Birmingham’s contemporary library gets my inner architecture (and book) lover excited every time, and I love the pre-Raphaelite masterpieces in the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.
The city first won me over when I visited for the famous Birmingham Christmas markets. Since then, it’s lured me back to see its heritage buildings, historic shopping arcades, canals, and streets.
If you want to take this city break, you can book a hotel in Birmingham here.
18. Norwich
Over in Norfolk, Norwich is one of the best UK city breaks. There are a lot of great things to do in Norwich, including its cathedral, market square, hilltop castle, and pretty streets. They all combine to make it easy on the eyes (and the camera).
Norwich Cathedral is the most complete Norman cathedral in England and one of the best examples of Romanesque architecture in Europe.
Elm Hill is replete with Tudor buildings, and Norwich Market is one of the oldest and largest outdoor markets in Britain. Add to that bright pink and orange houses, and there’s a lot to love about this place.
If you want to take this city break, you can book a hotel in Norwich here.
19. Aberdeen
Aberdeen is another of my favorite UK city breaks. This port city in northeast Scotland is a great place to visit if you love a mix of urban attractions and coastal castles.
Known as the Granite City for its stone buildings, Aberdeen offers everything from a beautiful university to a charming old fishing village. There’s a great street art scene here, too.
Seaside fortresses like Dunnottar Castle are quick and easy train trips from Aberdeen, adding a legendary element to a visit.
If you want to take this city break, you can book a hotel in Aberdeen here. I’ve stayed at the Mercure Aberdeen Caledonian Hotel and I love the views out the windows. You can book a room here.
20. Winchester
Winchester is another great place for UK city breaks. It’s famous for its history and literary connections.
Winchester Cathedral is not only stunning to see, but also one of the largest of its kind in Europe. It has the greatest overall length of any Gothic cathedral, and it’s the burial place of Jane Austen.
Beyond the cathedral, Winchester is home to a peaceful river walk, secret gardens, and heritage architecture. The Round Table of King Arthur fame is here, as are a stunning medieval almshouse and the ruins of an old bishop’s palace.
If you want to take this city break, you can book a hotel in Winchester here.
21. Leicester
Next on my list of UK city breaks is Leicester. This city in the Midlands is one of the most underrated UK cities, and it’s worth a visit for a number of reasons.
First, Leicester’s Richard III connections are fascinating. The king died here, and there’s a museum dedicated to him in the city center. His remains are buried in the cathedral, too.
Next, Leicester is one of the best Arts and Crafts Movement places to visit in Britain. The Leicester Museum and Art Gallery houses an important collection, and leading figures like architect-designer Ernest Gimson were born here.
Beyond that, the city has stunning heritage architecture to admire. If you look up as you walk around during a weekend in Leicester, you’ll be impressed. There are even ancient Roman ruins here.
If you want to take this trip, you can book a hotel in Leicester here. I’ve stayed at St Martins Lodge, which is housed in a renovated Grade II-listed building in the city center. You can book a room here.
Map of the Best City Breaks in the UK
As promised, you’ll find an interactive Google map of the top UK city breaks here. If you click on the pins, you’ll find my blog posts about the cities I’ve written about.
UK City Breaks
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about the best UK city breaks and that you get a chance to visit each one someday. They’re great places to get into British culture and see the country’s many urban centers. Happy travels!
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