There are more UK cities that you should explore. For other UK cities that you should visit, read about them in articles 1, 2, 3, and 4. There is always something to do in each of these unique United Kingdom cities and the article about the best times of year to visit the UK provides details.
Part 2:
Birmingham
Birmingham was the manufacturing engine of Britain during the nineteenth and most of the twentieth centuries, thanks to a combination of entrepreneurial bravery and engineering know-how. Birmingham was the birthplace of James Watt’s steam engine, the transatlantic cable, and the Orient Express, and it was the core of the British car industry.
Birmingham has a few savory claims to renown as well. George Cadbury manufactured chocolate here, and his Bourneville Estate was an early planned town. Birmingham has recently emerged as the epicenter of the Anglo-Punjabi specialty known as Balti food.
Birmingham is the UK’s second-largest city, with a population of over a million people. It’s a bustling, multi-ethnic resort with a thriving arts and music scene, and some of the best shopping in England.
After watching the PBS Masterpiece/BBC drama, Mr. Selfridge, many people, including the Roze Team, became more interested in Selfridges and its massive size and product selection. Birmingham’s Selfridges is the first company store outside of London and is an ultra-modern structure that appears to have landed from space.
Music with a Brummie Flair
Birmingham’s sound is heavy metal. Judas Priest and Black Sabbath were both hometown bands. Ozzie Osborne is also a native son. Other musical genres thrive in Birmingham as well. Musicians Duran Duran, ELO, and UB40 all had their start in the city.
Birmingham attracts a large number of visitors due to its excellent shopping and the massive NEC convention facility. Unfortunately, there aren’t nearly enough hotels to fulfill the demand. So, if you’re going to a particular event, make your reservations early.
Glasgow
Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city and the third-largest city in the United Kingdom, had long taken a rear place to Edinburgh in terms of tourists and visitors. People were put off by its reputation as a nasty, crime-ridden, unclean, and hard-drinking city. Glaswegians, however, have worked hard to change that image since the mid-1980s. And they were successful.
Glasgow was designated as the European Capital of Culture in 1995. The medal was given not for the heritage culture that keeps Edinburgh alive, but for a far more modern atmosphere. And it’s only getting better. Lonely Planet ranked Glasgow one of the top ten tourist destinations in 2008. The Mercer study, a quality of life survey, ranked Glasgow among the top 50 safest cities in the world the same year. Tourists with nerves should take note: that was more than 30 places higher than London.
Billy Connolly’s hometown is now a trendy hangout for modern art, design, fashion, music, bars, and comedy (of both the chic and the gutsy street kind). It is also an entrance to the Western Highlands. Loch Lomond and the National Park of Trossachs are about a half-hour drive away.
Liverpool
The Beatles may spring to mind when visitors think about Liverpool. And, of course, there are plenty of Beatles-related activities, not the least of which is a visit to the legendary Cavern Club.
In 2008, the designation of European Capital of Culture, rejuvenated Liverpool in England’s northwest, as the prize frequently does. The Albert Docks region of Liverpool was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its significance in British maritime history. Visitors can learn about Liverpool’s participation in the history of the slave trade (which is known to have the world’s only International Slavery Museum), emigration to the Americas and Australia, and the growth of trade and culture throughout the British Empire. The attention to the dock’s history has also been brought to the immediate surrounding area hotels, dining, shopping, trendy clubs, and a Liverpool branch of the famous Tate Gallery.
Liverpool has had its ups and downs over the years, but the recent revival of interest in this historic city has resulted in a slew of new and stylish hotels.
Brighton
Brighton is a trendy, vibrant, and unusually urban coastal resort. 60 miles from the city, “London’s beach” is a year-round day trip or short break resort with much more to offer than its seashore.
Shopping, restaurants, a fantastic fantasy castle, a wonderful aquarium, amazing nightlife and theater, and block after block of Regency houses mix with a friendly and breezy air to make Brighton a really nice city to visit and an even better place to stay awhile.
If you enjoy cities, you will most likely enjoy Brighton. Millions of people believe this. Every year, at least 8 million people visit Brighton, with approximately 6.5 million coming for day visits. Every year, 4.5 million people visit Brighton Pier alone. The city is very popular among international visitors and is one of the top ten visitor attractions in the United Kingdom.
It may be London’s beach, but don’t expect to swim in the water. The water is frequently frigid, and the shingle beach is not for everyone. However, it is popular among watersports enthusiasts of all types, including surfers, paddleboarders, and windsurfers. Brighton’s allure includes more than just strolling down the seafront or relaxing on the beach.
Come for the excellent shopping in the Lanes and North Laine, the Royal Pavilion, loads of great fish and chips, and the festival and club scene. It’s a quick day excursion from London via train that you won’t want to miss. It is well-known for its sizable LGBT population.
Oxford
Oxford Institution, founded in the 11th century, is England’s oldest university. This university is the reason why so many people visit this small town on the outskirts of the Cotswolds, 60 miles northwest of London.
The Ashmolean, England’s oldest public museum, was recently rebuilt and its exhibition area was doubled. Visitors can also shop at a bustling covered market, discover an almost hidden tavern popular when Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton were still concealing their affair from their respective spouses, and explore a ghostly castle.
Then there are the colleges, of course. Most of the colleges’ interesting, historic grounds and chapels are open to visitors. Some are only open at specific periods of the day or as part of certified guided excursions. The Oxford Tourist Information Centre offers official guided walking tours that allow you to see the attractions at college, including some well-known landmarks and movie locations. Some of the sites utilized in the Harry Potter films are even visible.
Oxford is a fantastic day trip from London, whether you have a car or not. You can begin exploring the Cotswolds starting from Oxford, go to Blenheim Palace in Woodstock (a ten-minute bus ride away), or go shopping at Bicester Village, one of the UK’s greatest designer outlet malls. In Oxford, you should also visit Brown’s Cafe for some affordable food.
Make sure you get valuable information about the best months to visit these well-known and liked UK cities. More detailed information is found as you read parts 1, 3, and 4, which will help you to explore the popular and hidden gems in these frequently visited United Kingdom cities.