10 UK Cities You Must Visit
Below you will find 10 different cities you must visit and enjoy their architecture, culture and nature.
1. Oxford
Oxford is one of the UK cities with picture-postcard cobbles and imposing spires that only a few cities can match. Besides being home to one of the world-renowned universities, Oxford has some of the best museums, pubs, and a burgeoning restaurant scene. After lockdown, you will be at no risk of getting bored while in the city. One of the must-do things when visiting Oxford is visiting the university. You get to enjoy its architecture while visiting a famous university.
If you want to learn some history about Oxford, you can tour the castle and prison. Here, you will learn about the building’s exciting history while enjoying the custom characters you will encounter. You also get the chance to climb St. George’s Tower for a 360-degree view of the city. The Pitt Rivers Museum is another place where you can feast your eyes.
The museum is home to over half a million artefacts and objects from all over the world. It has lots of things for you to discover that keep you wanting to come back for more. Some of the things to enjoy in the museum include gruesome shrunken heads, Hawaiian feather cloaks, and Japanese Noh masks.
2. London
London is one of the busiest cities in Europe. It attracts more than 27 million visitors annually. You should place this city at the top of your travel list because you can enjoy its rich history. The city is divided into four parts: North, East, West, and South London.
One of the most famous places, to begin with, is Hyde Park. It’s the largest park in London, and it’s an ideal place due to its historical significance. It’s home to two bodies of water and several memorial features. Camden is another place to rest your feet while in London. You will find it in North London, and it’s famous for its alternative culture.
It’s a vibrant community, and you are bound to find lots of tattoo and piercing shops. Camden Market is another place where you can enjoy the best street food, unique artwork, and clothing. Your trip to London won’t be complete before a visit to the London Eye. It’s a giant Ferris wheel that provides you with a magnificent view of the city. It’s even more gorgeous at night because it’s always lit up with seasonal colours.
3. Norwich
Being the second-largest city in England, Norwich has lots of things to offer. Some of the best places to view in Norwich city include the Norwich Cathedral, the Norwich Castle Museum, Elm Hill, the Forum, and Norwich Market. The Norwich Cathedral was the largest building in 1145, measuring 131 meters long and 54 meters wide.
The building dates back to the 15th century, and there are lots of thrilling details you can learn about it. The Museum, on the other hand, is a cube-like building that was built in the 12th century. The museum has lots of exhibitions, artefacts, and fine art that date back to the Iron Age. Elm Hill winds its way from Wensum Street to St Pete Hungate Church.
Having your camera in your hand enables you to capture some lovely moments while enjoying some of the best cafes. The Forum, on the other hand, is a community centre that was built in 2001, and it’s open daily. It came to replace the Norwich Library, which burnt down in 1944. Some of the activities you will find in the Forum include art exhibitions, theatre productions, dance and music performances, and outdoor opera.
4. Truro
Truro is the southernmost city in the UK. It’s made up of some granite monuments, beautiful arts venues, and great museums. It’s close to deep Carrick Roads, and it borders the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. You can spend your days getting lost in the gardens, marvelling at the country estates, and sailing through unfrequented creeks.
Amongst the best things to do includes visiting the Truro Cathedral. It’s a lovely Gothic Revival church that was designed by John Loughborough Pearson. The Cathedral is made of quartz-porphyry, limestone, and granite. Another place to visit when you are in Truro is Trelissick. It’s a country estate that has gardens with exotic plants, maritime views and an orchard.
You should also seize the chance and survey the marvellous landscape with some binoculars. In this city, you will also find some boat trips to take advantage of. These trips run from April to October between Truro’s harbour and Falmouth. You get to sail through River Fal and pass some of the most beautiful maritime locations, beautiful historic properties and immense ocean-going vehicles. Upon reaching Falmouth, you get to be in the third deepest harbour on earth.
5. Edinburgh
Once the travel restrictions are lifted, you should consider touring the second-most-visited city in the UK. Edinburgh is home to lots of attractions, parks, museums and amazing galleries. Some of these places offer free entry or ask for a voluntary donation while providing daily guided tours.
When in this UK city, you must explore some hidden gems and check out the different scenic outdoor spaces. The Royal Botanic gardens are among the places you’ll love spending your time. It’s located one mile from the city centre, and it’s a 72-acre land full of impeccable pruned gardens. You can spend your day relaxing in nature or wandering n these beautiful grounds.
The Scottish National Gallery is another magnificent place to visit. Its located at the heart of the city and is amongst the top attractions for most tourists. Here, you will come across a collection of fine art that dates back to the 19th century. Some of the eye-catching masterpieces that you will encounter include Botticelli, Rembrandt, and Van Gogh. If you choose to take a trip with kids, you should also consider trying out the Museum of Childhood.
6. Lichfield
Lichfield is one of the UK cities famous for its profuse Georgian architecture and three spired cathedrals. Its located 16 miles north of Birmingham, and the cathedral ought to be your first stop due to its 8th-century carving of an angel, invaluable flemish stained glass, and gothic lines. You get to feast your eyes on this magnificent monument that has been a Christian site since the 700s.
It’s also the only medieval cathedral that has three spires in the UK. If you love some fresh air and beautiful grounds, you can visit Beacon Park. It’s one of the places in Lichfield where you can have a cheap family excursion. If you have your family with you, you can enjoy playing golf, boating on the tree-fringed lake or sipping some tea in the available cafes.
There is also a children’s play area with a train and a climbable pirate ship. Your kids can enjoy some donkey rides as long as there is good weather. The National Memorial Arboretum is another place you can enjoy spending some time while in Lichfield. Thats because it’s a 150-acre site with civilian and military memorials.
7. Newport
Newport is one city with a compact city centre. You can walk around it in no less than 10 minutes, but you can take a bit longer if you stop by the traditional covered market, museum and art gallery or at the cathedral. You will come across some sports facilities, Newport Centre’s pool, and a 2,000 capacity music venue for entertainment.
The Tredegar House is another place to visit while you are in Newport. In this 90 acre park, you will get to enjoy the parkland, the beautiful gardens and the red brick house built in the 17th century. The house’s interior showcases the creativity of the 17th century, and it’s a marvel to look at and spend some time in.
If you want to enjoy some views, nature and wildlife, you can visit the RSPB Newport Wetlands Reserve. It’s a 100 km2 wetland that has been reclaimed from the sea over thousands of years. It’s the best place to view some birds, but the species will vary depending on the time of year. However, some of the most prevalent species include marsh harriers, avocets, peregrines, wildfowl and bitterns.
8. Canterbury
Canterbury is a city that has the oldest operating school in the world. It also has lots of medieval architecture and two universities. The Canterbury Cathedral is one place where you can see the perpendicular style nave and some stained glass windows that date back to the 12th century. Beaney House of Art and Knowledge is another attraction to visit while in Canterbury.
When the travel restrictions are lifted, you can view the beautiful works of painters like Thomas Sidney Copper and Anthony van Dyck. These exhibits are found in the cabinet of curiosities along with some Greek and Egyptian artefacts. The Canterbury City Walls are also an ancient piece of history and architecture that dates back to the 3rd century.
They were built by the Romans, and they had an impact on the layout of the city streets. These defences were, however, breached several times in the 9th and 11th centuries. Along these walls, you will find some medieval towers still standing. The Westgate Gardens has some of the most serene spots in the city. It’s a historic garden that neighbours the last of seven medieval gates. The gardens have been open since medieval times, thus putting them among the oldest places in the city.
9. Cambridge
When yearning for a weekend break, Cambridge is one of the areas where you can find the highest number of historic buildings in the UK. The city provides you with a romantic place where you can participate in some cultural events throughout the year. Besides these events, you can also enjoy the numerous green spaces like the 25-acre Parker’s Piece. Parker’s Piece is considered by many to be the birthplace of modern football.
The King’s College and King’s College Chapel are among the earliest ryal foundations because they were built in 1441. Here, you will find some college grounds along the riverside and enjoy the lovely views of the Backs. You should also check out the King’s College Chapel because it’s the ideal place for city breaks.
It’s renowned for its stylistic interior with lavish wooden organ and stained glass windows that date back to the 16th century. After travel restrictions are lifted, you can also visit the Fitzwilliam Museum because it’s a masterpiece of architecture. It’s also a good weekend break area because you will find some Roman, Greek and Egyptian antiquities and china and English pottery collection.
10. Winchester
Enjoying some city breaks requires your to indulge in new things and have a lovely time. Winchester is a city where you can enjoy its hipster culture and let loose. Once you get into the city, you will notice that even if it’s surrounded by the countryside, there are lots of urban comforts to enjoy.
If you are a history buff, there are plenty of things and treats to look out for. Besides, you can enjoy trendy bakeries, lush rural vistas, brilliant pubs and cool shops. You can walk along River Itchen to ace the views and spy on the wildlife. The two-mile loop enables you to breathe in some fresh air while enjoying the Water Meadows. After your refreshing walk, you can stop for brunch at Josie’s for a great veggie breakfast or some delicious pancakes.
If you find the queue too long, you can try some vintage comics and hearty pies at Piecaramba or buy a giant doughnut at Hoxton Bakehouse. The Black Rat is a place where you can visit if you would like to splash some cash. It’s the only Michelin-star restaurant in Winchester, and it has a daring meaty menu and a relaxed vibe.
