The Best Cities, Towns & Villages in England

Recommended destinations throughout England


 

London

England

  • family-friendly
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  • photogenic
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • food & drink
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  • history
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  • music
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  • politics
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  • royalty
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  • shopping
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  • theatre

London blends historic icons like the Tower of London and Westminster with modern culture, diverse food, and world-class museums. Its vibrant neighbourhoods and green spaces make it ideal for exploring year-round.

York

North Yorkshire

  • family-friendly
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  • photogenic
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  • archeology
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  • architecture
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  • food & drink
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  • history
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  • shopping
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  • transport
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  • trains

York combines medieval streets like the Shambles, ancient walls, and the magnificent Minster. Its museums, riverside walks, and cosy cafés create a compact, atmospheric city rich in history.

Bath

Somerset

  • historic city
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  • photogenic
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  • architecture
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  • history
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  • literature
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  • shopping

Bath showcases elegant Georgian architecture, the Roman Baths, and warm limestone terraces. Its compact centre, cultural venues, and natural hot springs create a refined yet relaxed city escape.

Blackpool

Lancashire

  • family-friendly
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  • seaside resort

Blackpool dazzles with its iconic Tower, lively promenade, and vintage trams. Enjoy classic seaside fun at the Pleasure Beach, stroll the Golden Mile, and marvel at the famous Illuminations that light up the resort each autumn.

Bristol

South West England

  • family-friendly
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  • historic city
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  • photogenic
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  • sightseeing
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  • museums & galleries
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  • entertainment
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  • restaurants
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  • art
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  • history
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  • industrial heritage
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  • maritime heritage
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  • shopping

Bristol buzzes with creativity and history. See the Clifton Suspension Bridge, explore harbourside galleries, and spot Banksy’s street art. With lively markets, music, and green spaces, it’s a city that perfectly blends heritage and innovation.

Cambridge

Cambridgeshire

  • family-friendly
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  • historic city
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  • photogenic
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  • archeology
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • history
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  • medicine
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  • science
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  • shopping

Cambridge blends historic charm with academic prestige. Explore its grand colleges, punt along the River Cam, and wander cobbled streets lined with bookshops and cafés. The city’s timeless beauty and scholarly atmosphere make it truly captivating.

Liverpool

Merseyside

  • family-friendly
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  • photogenic
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • history
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  • music
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  • shopping
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  • sport
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  • football
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  • horse racing

Liverpool blends a striking waterfront with rich maritime heritage, world-class museums, and a vibrant music legacy. Its creative districts, galleries, and welcoming atmosphere make it an energetic cultural city.

Oxford

Oxfordshire

  • family-friendly
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  • photogenic
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • cycling
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  • film
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  • Harry Potter
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  • history
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  • shopping
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  • TV

Oxford captivates with its stunning university architecture, cobbled lanes, and riverside charm. Explore historic colleges, the Bodleian Library, and punting on the Cherwell for a timeless taste of academic elegance and English tradition.

Birmingham

West Midlands

  • historic city
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • food & drink
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  • history
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  • industrial heritage
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  • shopping

Birmingham features a revitalised core of canals, modern architecture, and major cultural venues. Its diverse food scene, celebrated curry houses, and extensive shopping districts make it a vibrant, well-connected Midlands city.

Brighton

East Sussex

  • seaside resort
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  • history

Brighton blends quirky charm with seaside style. Explore the iconic Pier, wander The Lanes’ indie shops, and admire the exotic Royal Pavilion. With pebbled beaches, vibrant nightlife, and creative spirit, it’s the south coast’s coolest coastal escape.

Chester

Cheshire

  • family-friendly
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  • historic city
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  • photogenic
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  • history
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  • shopping

Chester enchants with Roman walls, timbered buildings, and a magnificent cathedral. Its historic Rows, riverside walks, and vibrant shopping streets create a unique blend of heritage and contemporary charm.

Durham

County Durham

  • historic city
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  • touring base
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  • photogenic
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  • architecture
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  • history
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  • religion

Durham captivates with its magnificent cathedral and castle overlooking the River Wear. Its cobbled streets, historic charm, and vibrant student atmosphere make it one of England’s most picturesque small cities.

Manchester

Greater Manchester

  • architecture
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  • art
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  • food & drink
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  • history
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  • music
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  • shopping
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  • sport
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  • football

Manchester mixes industrial heritage with cutting-edge culture, from mills and canals to bold architecture, galleries, and live music. Its diverse neighbourhoods, sports landmarks, and energetic food scene create a dynamic urban destination.

Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Tyne & Wear

  • architecture
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  • history
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  • shopping

Newcastle-upon-Tyne bursts with energy, blending industrial heritage and modern style. Iconic bridges span the Tyne, while lively nightlife, cultural venues, and warm Geordie spirit define this dynamic northern city.

Torquay

Devon

  • seaside resort

Torquay dazzles on Devon’s English Riviera with golden beaches, palm-lined promenades, and elegant Victorian charm. Known for its coastal walks and lively marina, it’s a classic seaside escape blending relaxation, style, and sea views.

Stratford-upon-Avon

Warwickshire

  • touring base
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  • photogenic
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  • history
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  • literature
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  • Shakespeare
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  • shopping
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  • theatre

Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, brims with Tudor charm. Its timber-framed buildings, theatres, and riverside walks draw visitors from around the world to celebrate literature, history, and classic English beauty.

Aldeburgh

Suffolk

  • seaside resort
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  • photogenic
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  • art
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  • Charles Dickens
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  • music
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  • shopping
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  • walking

Aldeburgh is a picturesque Suffolk coastal town known for its shingle beach, colourful cottages, and thriving arts scene. Famous for fresh seafood and the Aldeburgh Festival, it blends seaside charm with cultural sophistication.

Alton Towers

Staffordshire

  • theme park
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  • family-friendly

Alton Towers, set in the Staffordshire countryside, is the UK’s best-known theme park. Home to world-class rollercoasters, family rides, and beautiful gardens, it offers a thrilling mix of excitement and escapism for visitors of all ages.

Bournemouth

Dorset

  • family-friendly
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  • seaside resort

Bournemouth boasts seven miles of golden beaches, vibrant gardens, and a lively pier. With coastal walks, water sports, and a bustling town centre, it’s a perfect mix of seaside relaxation and modern charm on England’s sunny south coast.

Canterbury

Kent

  • family-friendly
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  • historic city
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  • photogenic
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  • architecture
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  • history
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  • religion
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  • shopping

Canterbury captivates with medieval charm and lively culture. Explore the stunning cathedral, wander cobbled streets of timber-framed houses, and enjoy riverside gardens. With history, shops and cosy pubs, this Kent city offers a timeless appeal.

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