The Most Attractive Cities to Visit in the United Kingdom
The UK is among the most celebrated tourist destinations in the world, and its popularity has only increased in recent years thanks to TV series like Outlander and The Crown. The UK has also received worldwide attention thanks to recent royal weddings and scandals, political drama, and of course the recent passing of its longest reigning monarch and now new reigning king.
Made up of four countries, the UK offers countless cities and towns filled with endless attractions to suit all tastes. You’ll discover world-class museums, nightlife, incredible entertainment, history, and plenty of natural beauty in-between.
With more than 50 cities in England alone, it’s hard knowing where to focus your attention. And the list of UK cities only continues to grow, with an additional six being only recently proclaimed for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
With the majority of UK’s cities being found in England, let’s take a closer look at five English cities you should make an effort to see on your next British holiday.
London
London is one of the most famous cities in the world and is often where the majority of UK holidays begin thanks to flights arriving at Heathrow and Gatwick airports. It only makes sense to spend some time embracing this city which has become Europe’s most visited city.
London is the centre for British culture, music, fashion, business and history. It can be challenging to know where to start in this amazing city thanks to countless attractions that include Big Ben, London Eye, Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace where you can witness the Changing of the Guard as well as tour the State Rooms.
Nature lovers can also enjoy great walks around London in its various parks like Hyde Park and Regent’s Park. As the sun goes down, London’s hottest nightlife spots come alive and of course you can catch a West End show.
There are plenty of restaurants, bars, and clubs to choose from and if you are a gambling fan, you’ll be happy to know London is home to the UK’s most prestigious casinos including The Hippodrome Casino and The Grosvenor Victoria which offer tons of table games and electronic gaming machines.
London is also home to numerous luxurious hotels, so if you’d rather simply relax in the comfort of your hotel room, you can also enjoy a bit of gaming from anywhere in the city whether in your hotel or on the go, because of online gambling in the UK.
There are several options to finding online gaming sites, but comparison sites can guide you on the best platforms and often offer comprehensive reviews on leading online casinos in the UK and all their latest sign-up bonuses. There’s also often the opportunity to play demo casino games you can play at no risk.
Brighton
Brighton actually makes up part of the city known as Brighton and Hove, and is England’s most popular seaside resort. This iconic seaside city offers up several top-rated tourist attractions which include the Royal Pavilion, Brighton Pier, and the i360 observation tower.
Enjoy boutique hotels and an incredible array of restaurants, as well as popular festivals that include the second largest fringe festival in the world as well as the Brighton Festival held each May which is England’s largest arts fair.
The mosque-like Royal Pavilion was King George IV’s lavish retreat before eventually being opened to the public where it now serves as a museum where you can tour the royal bedrooms, music room, banquet hall, and gardens. It also acts as a wedding venue which hosted some of the first legal same-sex marriages in the UK, Brighton itself being very LGBTQ+ friendly.
The Brighton Pier offers an amusement park atmosphere complete with rides like roller coasters as well as beer gardens. You can grab some fish and chips and enjoy the sea breeze along the local pebbly beach or head up nearly 140 meters to enjoy 360-degree views over the city in the fancy Brighton i360 Observation Tower with its sky bar.
Canterbury
One of England’s most beautiful and historic cities, Canterbury has been the home of famous poets and playwrights, and retains much of its medieval character. It’s most famous landmark is the UNESCO-listed Canterbury Cathedral which is one of the oldest and most revered churches in England.
You will also discover in Canterbury the world’s oldest school still in existence as well as St. Martin’s Church which is said to be England’s oldest surviving church. A highlight of visiting Canterbury is walking the City Wall Trail which leads you to many of the city’s most notable sites like Dane John Gardens.
Head to Kings Mile for a pint and a meal after checking out the Norman Canterbury Castle and taking in the photogenic medieval streets that lead to places like the beautiful Westgate Gardens which run alongside the river that courses through the city. Punt boat rides can also be arranged on the river.
Wells
Wells sits in the green and vast landscape of Somerset and like Canterbury is regarded as a cathedral city. The city is attractive because of its natural beauty and stunning Gothic architecture. Some of the iconic places in Wells include Wells Cathedral and the Bishop’s Palace & Gardens.
Visiting Wells is truly like stepping back in time. You can walk along some of Europe’s oldest residential streets and marvel at a range of architectural styles. The unique character of the city has made it a popular filming location for films and TV series including Hot Fuzz, Jack the Giant Slayer, Poldark, and The Huntsman: Winter’s War.
The once Roman settlement is again home to Wells Cathedral, the first Gothic Church in England and some say first Gothic structure in all of Europe. Observing the hundreds of medieval statues is a true highlight of the cathedral. Meanwhile, the medieval Bishop’s Palace and its gardens have housed the Bishops of Bath & Wells for well over 800 years.
Uncover even more local history by visiting the city’s museum which exhibits a collection of fossils, prehistoric remains, and tools from the Stone and Iron ages which have been excavated in the region.
Bath
Like Wells, Bath is a rather small city but one that is definitely worth a visit if only for a day trip. The city was named for its famous Roman Baths and it has been attracting visitors for over 2000 years because of its healing waters.
UNESCO regards Bath as one of Europe’s Great Spa Towns, and the city is home to Britain’s only natural thermal hot spring swimming rejuvenation spot. When you’re not enjoying the relaxation of a day spa, you can check out some of England’s finest examples of Georgian architecture such as the Royal Crescent and the historic ring of large townhouses known as The Circus.
Fans of Jane Austen will want to check out the Jane Austen Centre which focuses on the life of the English novelist and her time in Bath. While she may have lived here and was no doubt inspired by the city, she was ironically never personally that fond of her time spent living here.
One picturesque spot in the city you’ll definitely want to spend some time at is Pulteney Bridge and maybe seek out some of the ancient Roman artifacts within the city. Bath is also only an hour’s drive from Stonehenge.
These are just a few of the reasons Bath has become one of the top ten English cities visited by international travelers.
