These are the cities we'll be hitting up in the UK post-lockdown for a break
You've probably walked along every single road near to your house; crossed every field/every park/anything that's remotely of interest. So we understand that the dream right now is to get on a plane and leave the UK behind for a little while. After all, this is probably the longest many people have gone without a holiday for a long time. But, with anxiety and constant change around the rules of travel it can be hard to know where is a safe bet to go. Honestly, nothing is guaranteed right now, but we hope that post-lockdown we'll be able to explore beyond our doorsteps.
One of the best kind of weekend breaks is of the city break kind. Usually vibrant with lots to do and experience, the city break is less of a relaxing retreat and more a rush of energy. Post-lockdown city life is unlikely to be back in full swing (club life, we miss you), so actually what better opportunity will there be to walk down the streets of a city with less haste? You’ll probably better admire the architecture around you. And if you’re crowd adverse, we suspect post-lockdown will be a good window to lessen your chances of being stuck at an attraction with tons of people around.
That's why we're looking forward to more city breaks in the UK. Easy to get to by train or car, there's Norwich (if you enjoy less manic cities with cute vintage-looking places to go), London (for the ultimate city experience), Bath (if you want historic buildings to admire), and plenty more. We’ve rounded up some of the best cities to go to across the country and found a place to stay, though we say you should book soon if you see somewhere you like*.
*All accommodation options have lots of availability at the time of writing.
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From romantic city breaks to the best UK city breaks by train, scroll for GLAMOUR's pick of the top UK city destinations to add to your list.
Getty ImagesBath City Breaks
Bath is glorious on all counts: it has the shops and attractions you'd expect to see in a city, but with none of the drab associated with London and Birmingham. See the historic Roman baths and venture to the Royal Crescent.
Where to stay in Bath
This cottage is perfect for those who want to explore the city and get a good night's sleep somewhere slightly outside that's quiet. Bristol's centre is a 20 minute drive away, so we recommend making time to explore the idyllic countryside too.
Getty ImagesBest city breaks UK: Birmingham
For Brutalist architecture and a rich industrial history dating back to the 18th century, check out Britain's second largest city.
Where to stay in Birmingham
This new build apartment has a huge balcony to have drinks on. It'll be perfect for a girls getaway.
Getty ImagesBest city breaks UK: Brighton
There's nothing like being besides the sea. Add in a trip to the Laines for quirky and unique second-hand shops and cafes, then end the day in one of the many bars.
Where to stay in Brighton
The Hollywood Apartment, Airbnb
Forget exploring Brighton - or at least, this luxurious apartment will make you nearly do so.
Getty ImagesCambridge City Breaks
Go punting down the River Cam and expand your mind in the academic areas with university tours and museum trips.
Where to stay in Cambridge
This renovated Georgian house can host up to six guest - perfect for the rule of six, right?
Getty ImagesBest city breaks UK: Bristol
Bristol has the perfect mix of maritime history (see the Harbourside) and quirky shops and venues to explore.
Where to stay in Bristol
If you're looking for balance, this property allows for easy access of both Clifton Village and the city centre by foot.
Getty ImagesBest city breaks UK: Canterbury
For a low-key city break, pick Canterbury which has medieval streets to admire and an imposing cathedral.
Best city breaks: Canterbury
For a cute getaway, we like this cottage. The homely pad is nearby to all that's worth seeing in the city.
Getty ImagesBest city breaks UK: Durham
Make sure you see the Romanesque Durham Cathedral and Norman Durham Castle, then go to Crook Hall for beautiful gardens and a maze.
Where to stay in Durham
This barn is surrounded by stunning greenery and is a 30 minute walk to the centre of Durham. Perfect for those who only like the hustle and bustle in small quantities.
Getty ImagesBest city breaks: Cardiff
The compact city of Cardiff, which has been the capital of Wales since just 1955, is sprawling with both history and urban architecture in equal parts. Buzzing at weekends and on rugby match days, it's full of shops, live music venues and bars. Plus, it makes the perfect base from which to day trip to the surrounding valleys or the nearby coast.
Where to stay in Cardiff
This Victorian villa is about as close to the centre of Cardiff you can get while maintaining a sense of luxury and style.
ShutterstockBest city breaks UK: Edinburgh
Edinburgh's Royal Mile is a must-see. It's where the heart of it's summer Fringe festival lives and the rest of the year is a characterised by the shops and eateries. And of course, the castle is a major attraction.
Where to stay in Edinburgh
This award-winning home is located centrally within the city, making it perfect for sight-seeing.
Getty ImagesLiverpool City Breaks
Liverpool has a rich history in music thanks to The Beatles, and you can see signs of around the town. Hop onto a ferry to explore the waterfront too.
Where to stay in Liverpool
Just look through the pictures and you'll see the views this penthouse boasts of with it's wall-length windows. It has free parking too.
Getty ImagesBest city breaks UK: Oxford
A visit to the university town is a must at some point. The stunning colleges are worth admiring even from the outside and the cobbled streets lead on to traditional high streets for shopping.
Where to stay in Oxford
This Victorian townhouse has a private courtyard garden to use for sunnier days. It's small, but it's all you need for an on-the-go city break.
ShutterstockBest city breaks UK: Leeds
In terms of night life, Leeds is famous for Call Lane (pre-Covid). During the day, go see the Leeds Kirkgate Market which houses hundreds of stalls.
Where to stay in Leeds
The Heaton Character Apartment, Airbnb
This flat, located within a Georgian merchant's villa, is so stunning that you'll struggle to leave to explore the city.
ShutterstockBest city breaks UK: Manchester
This industrial town is filled with things to visit such as the Castlefield conservation area and Museum of Science & Industry. Once you've got your history fix, head to a bar (if open) and explore the night life.
Where to stay in Manchester
Explore Manchester during the day and unwind in this New York-feel apartment - which reviewers rave about.
Getty ImagesBest city breaks UK: London
You can't not visit the capital. No matter what your vibe, there's everything from big tourist spots by the Thames through to cute Sunday markets near Portobello Road and Hackney.
Where to stay in London
Who doesn't want to stay in Notting Hill? This flat overlooks Hyde Park and surrounded by many of the city's hotspots.
Getty ImagesYork City Breaks
York is famous for its large 13th-century Gothic cathedral which has two working bell towers. Cities are often thought of as being grey and perhaps grim, but York is a picturesque breath of fresh air.
Where to stay in York
Stay in a bit of history: this flat is in Rowntree Wharf, a listed Victorian building that was once Rowntree’s cocoa bean warehouse.
ShutterstockBest city breaks UK: Exeter
Exeter's Cathedral is Gothic in design so is well-worth visiting. It'll place you nicely into the ancient city which has stunning architecture and museums.
Where to stay in Exeter
Enjoy staying a city apartment with views of the historic cathedral and high street.
Getty ImagesBest city breaks UK: Sheffield
Check out the Millennium Gallery which shows metalwork and art from the city itself. It's near the Peak District, so you could double up on weekend breaks.
Where to stay in Sheffield
The Steel Broker's Apartment, Airbnb
This apartment is situated in a 1930s art deco building in the Cathedral Quarter.
Getty ImagesBest city breaks UK: Norwich
Norwich is full of history, and you have to check out the medieval Norwich Cathedral which is a Romanesque building. There are plenty of cute tea rooms and cobbled streets to visit. As far as cities go, this one is calmer.
Where to stay in Norwich
This sleeps up to eight people and is an 18th Century grade II listed house in Norwich's Creative Quarter. The owner says it's within a stones throw of the famous cathedral.
