4 of Britain's Best City Breaks

[Lolita Di]

The UK has so many wonderful destinations that are just waiting to be explored - including some you probably haven't even heard of!  Check out this quality quartet:

Edinburgh

Edinburgh has it all. It doesn't matter if you're a history lover, culture buff, foodie or just looking for a wonderful family break, there's no better time to visit Scotland's capital city. We can guarantee you'll fall hard for Edinburgh, which is steeped in history and complemented by a number of attractions and events, such as Edinburgh Castle and the Edinburgh International Fringe Festival.

You don't have to appreciate history to love the city, though. Edinburgh is widely regarded as one of the best places to visit for a night out in the UK. With amazing views, fantastic bars and restaurants and plenty of historic architecture, you will want to spend winter, spring, summer and autumn in this magnificent city.

Liverpool

You just have to visit Liverpool (top) right now. This old industrial city in northwest England's Lancashire has been transforming itself. Forget the stereotypes - Liverpool is on the rise - and is one of the best cities for culture, music, events, business, sport and attractions. With stunning hotels, an extensive variety of bars and restaurants, a great nightlife scene and historic gems to explore, you will never want to leave the maritime city.

Just some of the best places to visit in the city include the famous Cavern Club - where The Beatles played 292 times before international stardom. You can also take a ride on the Mersey ferry to experience the beautiful Liverpool waterfront. When it comes to accommodation, we recommend 30 James Street, which is not just a luxurious hotel but a beautiful wedding venue.

 

Ryde

Like to be beside the sea, the beautiful sea? Ryde (above) on the Isle of Wight is most certainly the place to be. What this small city (pop. 24,000) town lacks in size it makes up for in beauty, as this has to be one of the most beautiful areas in England.

You have to travel to Ryde's mainland by hovercraft, and there are also five ferry services across the Solent strait. One of the town's most notable events has to be its five carnivals held throughout the year. The Ryde Carnival is the town's largest celebration (and England's oldest Carnival) welcoming 50,000 spectators and performances by samba and brass bands, community groups and stilt walkers. A fun ryde, indeed.



Swansea

You will never be bored in Wales's second largest city (pop. 179,000), and if you are looking for a beautiful coastal break, this is just the place. You will be spoilt for fantastic attractions, which include the breath-taking Swansea Bay, offering a beach, promenade, and a number of museums.

Swansea is also rather famous for its superb nightlife, offering many restaurants, bars, clubs, pubs and a casino. You'll find many of the bars located on the popular Wind Street, whilst most clubs are situated on Kingsway. And if you're a lover of the great British pub, get yourself along to Mumbles Mile (above), which offers one of the best pub crawls in the country.

 

photos: Shaun Jeffers/Shutterstock, Oscar Johns/Shutterstock, Pierre Terre/geograph.org.uk