The 19 English cities to visit once in your life!

A trip to England never leaves you indifferent. While London is obviously the most visited city, it’s not the only one worth visiting. Discover in this article 19 English cities to see once in your life.

London

The Region: South-East England

The best things to do in London :

• The British Museum.
• The National Gallery and its European masterpieces.
• The Palace of Westminster and Big Ben.
• Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.
• The Natural History Museum for its exhibitions.
• The Tate Modern for contemporary art.
• The Victoria and Albert Museum for decorative art.
• Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.
• The Museum of London for the history of the city.
• The Tate Britain art gallery.
• The Science Museum for its interactive exhibits.
• Imperial War Museum.
• Hyde Park for a nature break.
• The Sherlock Holmes Museum, on Baker Street.
• Camden market for its atmosphere and stores.

Weather: Temperate climate, moderate summers, cool winters.

Typical dish to try: Fish and chips, a classic British dish.

 

Oxford

The Region: South-East England

The best things to do in Oxford :

• The historic colleges of Oxford University.
• The Bodleian library.
• Ashmolean Museum.
• The Radcliffe Camera.
• The Oxford University Museum of Natural History.
• The Pitt Rivers Museum.
• Christ Church Meadow Park.
• An event at the Sheldonian Theatre.
• The Museum of the History of Science.
• University Park.
• La maison de la poésie (Poetry House).
• The University Church of St Mary the Virgin.

Weather: Temperate climate, mild summers, cool winters.

Typical dish to try: English pudding, in various forms.

 

Cambridge

The Region: Eastern England

The best things to do in Cambridge :

• The historic colleges of Cambridge University.
• King’s College Chapel.
• Fitzwilliam Museum.
• A boat trip on the River Cam.
• The university’s botanical garden.
• The Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.
• Kettle’s Yard.
• The Mathematical Bridge.
• The Whipple Museum of the History of Science.
• Sedgwick Museum of Geology.
• Wysing Contemporary Art Center.
• Grantchester Meadows Park.
• The Corpus Clock, a unique artistic clock.
• A concert at the Cambridge Corn Exchange.

Weather: Temperate climate, pleasant summers, cool winters.

Typical dish to try: Steak and kidney pie, a traditional British dish.

 

Bath

The Region: South-West England

The best things to do in Bath :

• The Roman baths, a well-preserved ancient thermal complex.
• Bath Cathedral, an example of Gothic architecture.
• The Royal Crescent, a famous Georgian architectural ensemble.
• The Victoria Art Gallery.
• The Jane Austen Museum, dedicated to the life and work of the writer.
• The Fashion Museum.
• The Circus, an impressive example of Georgian architecture.
• The Pulteney Bridge, unique for its stores built on the bridge.
• Sydney Gardens, one of England’s oldest public parks.
• Bath Museum of Architecture.
• Bath Abbey, a historic monument.
• Bath’s Theatre Royal for a show.
• The Holburne Museum and its art collection.
• Walks along the River Avon.
• Stores and cafés in the Walcot artisan district.

Weather: Temperate climate, mild summers, cool winters.

Typical dish to try: Bath Bun, a local sweet bun.

 

Liverpool

The Region: North West England

The best things to do in Liverpool:

• The Beatles Story Museum, for fans of the famous band.
• Walker Art Gallery.
• The Museum of Liverpool, for the history of the city.
• The Albert Docks, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Liverpool Cathedral, one of the largest Anglican churches.
• Anfield stadium, for soccer fans.
• The International Slavery Museum.
• Merseyside Maritime Museum.
• Tate Liverpool for modern art.
• Philharmonic Hall for a concert.
• The Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King.
• Sefton Park for a stroll.
• The Cavern Club, a famous music club.
• Hope Street for its restaurants and theaters.
• The Baltic Triangle district for art and culture.

Weather: Temperate maritime climate, mild summers, moderate winters.

The typical dish to try: Scouse, a meat and vegetable stew.

 

Manchester

The Region: North West England

The best things to do in Manchester:

• The Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI).
• The John Rylands Library, for its architecture and collections.
• Manchester Art Gallery.
• Old Trafford Stadium, for Manchester United fans.
• The People’s History Museum.
• The Northern Quarter for its art and boutiques.
• The Manchester Museum, for its natural history collections.
• Manchester Cathedral.
• The Castlefield district for its canals and industrial history.
• Bridgewater Hall concert hall.
• The National Football Museum.
• The Elizabeth Gaskell House, for lovers of literature.
• Heaton Park for a stroll.
• Trafford Centre shopping center.

Weather: Temperate maritime climate, mild summers, cool winters.

The typical dish to try: The Manchester Tart, a traditional sweet tart.

 

York

The Region: Yorkshire

The best things to do in York :

• York Minster.
• The National Railway Museum for train enthusiasts.
• The ramparts of York for a historic stroll.
• The Yorkshire Museum and its gardens.
• The medieval district of The Shambles, famous for its picturesque narrow streets.
• York Castle and Clifford’s Tower Museum.
• The Jorvik Viking Centre to discover the town’s Viking history.
• The Merchant Adventurers’ Hall, historic building and museum.
• York Art Gallery.
• York’s chocolate museum for gourmets.
• The Fossil Museum (DIG).
• York Theater for a play.

Weather: Temperate climate, moderate summers, cool winters.

Typical dish to try: Yorkshire pudding, a traditional accompaniment to roast dinners.

 

Canterbury

The Region: Kent

The best things to do in Canterbury:

• Canterbury Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The Canterbury Roman Museum to discover the city’s Roman history.
• Canterbury Castle and its medieval ruins.
• The Canterbury Museum for local history.
• A walk along the River Stour.
• Westgate Gardens for a moment of tranquility.
• Marlowe House, dedicated to the famous playwright.
• St. Martin’s Church, the oldest Anglo-Saxon church still in use.
• Boat trips on the River Stour.
• Dane John Park for a stroll.
• Sidney Cooper Art Gallery.

Weather: Temperate climate, pleasant summers, cool winters.

Typical dish to try: Kentish Huffkin, a traditional soft bread.

 

Bristol

The Region: South-West England

The best things to do in Bristol:

• The SS Great Britain, a historic maritime museum.
• Clifton Suspension Bridge for its views and architecture.
• Bristol Museum and Art Gallery.
• Bristol Zoo Gardens for wildlife.
• The M Shed, Bristol’s history museum.
• The Old Vic Theatre, one of the oldest theaters in operation.
• Ashton Court Park for a nature walk.
• Bristol Cathedral.
• The Banksy walking tour to discover street art.
• We The Curious Science Center.
• Brandon Hill Park and Cabot Tower.

Weather: Temperate maritime climate, mild summers, moderate winters.

Typical dish to try: Bristol pie, a traditional meat pie.

 

Stratford-upon-Avon

The Region: West Midlands

The best things to do in Stratford-upon-Avon :

• William Shakespeare’s birthplace, a must see for literature lovers.
• The Royal Shakespeare Theatre, to see a Shakespeare play.
• Anne Hathaway’s home, a picturesque cottage with gardens.
• Mary Arden’s house, Shakespeare’s mother’s farm.
• Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall Museum.
• Holy Trinity Church, where Shakespeare is buried.
• Butterfly Farm, the UK’s largest butterfly aviary.
• The MAD Museum (Mechanical Art & Design).
• Visit Falstaff’s Experience, an interactive museum.

Weather: Temperate climate, moderate summers, cool winters.

Typical dish to try: Roast dinner, a traditional roast dish.

 

Brighton

The Region: South-East England

The best things to do in Brighton :

• Brighton Palace Pier, for its attractions and sea views.
• The Royal Pavilion, an exotic palace with Indian and Chinese influences.
• The British Airways i360, an observation tower with a sublime view.
• Brighton Museum & Art Gallery.
• Sea Life Brighton, the world’s oldest aquarium.
• Preston Park, for a nature walk.
• Volk’s Electric Railway, the world’s oldest electric railroad.
• Brighton’s toy and model museum.
• The Brighton Dome, for concerts and events.

Weather: Maritime climate, mild summers, cool winters.

Typical dish to try: Fish and chips, a classic of coastal towns.

 

Birmingham

The Region: West Midlands

The best things to do in Birmingham:

• Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.
• Birmingham Back to Backs, preserved historic homes.
• Cadbury World, for chocolate lovers.
• The Library of Birmingham, for its modern architecture.
• Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery.
• Bullring Market & Grand Central for shopping.
• The National Sea Life Centre.
• The Black Country Living Museum, an open-air museum.
• Symphony Hall for a concert.
• Wythall Transport Museum.
• Aston Hall Castle, a Jacobean manor house.

Weather: Temperate climate, moderate summers, cool winters.

Typical dish to try: Balti, a type of curry invented in Birmingham.

 

Newcastle upon Tyne

The Region: North East England

The best things to do in Newcastle upon Tyne :

• Tyne Bridge, a city landmark.
• Newcastle Life Science Centre.
• Newcastle Castle, from which the town takes its name.
• Laing’s art gallery.
• The BALTIC Center for Contemporary Art.
• St James’ Park stadium, for soccer fans.
• The River Tyne for a cruise or stroll.
• The Exhibition Park for a nature break.
• The Discovery Museum for the history of the region.
• The Victoria Tunnel, a historic guided tour.

Weather: Temperate maritime climate, mild summers, cool winters.

Typical dish to try: Stottie cake, a thick, round loaf typical of the Northeast.

 

Chester

The Region: Cheshire

The best things to do in Chester:

• Chester’s ramparts for a historic walk.
• Chester Cathedral, a medieval monument.
• The Roman amphitheater and Grosvenor Museum.
• Chester Zoo, one of the UK’s largest zoos.
• The Eastgate Clock, one of the city’s most emblematic clocks.
• The Shropshire Union Canal for a boat trip.
• Chester Racecourse, the oldest racecourse in the UK.
• Chester Roman Gardens.
• Cheshire Military Museum.

Weather: Temperate maritime climate, mild summers, moderate winters.

Typical dish to try: Chester’s pudding, a traditional dessert.

 

Durham

The Region: North East England

The best things to do in Durham:

• Durham Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Durham Castle, a former bishop’s residence.
• Durham Museum and Art Gallery.
• Durham University Botanic Garden.
• The Museum of Archaeology at Durham University.
• The Green Palace, a historic university building.
• The Oriental Museum of Asian Art and Archaeology.
• Crook Hall & Gardens, a manor house with picturesque gardens.
• High Force Waterfall nature park for a hike.
• The Durham Heritage Coast for a coastal excursion.

Weather: Temperate maritime climate, mild summers, cool winters.

Typical dish to try: Durham lamb, a dish based on local lamb.

 

Norwich

The Region: Eastern England

The best things to do in Norwich :

• Norwich Cathedral.
• Norwich Castle.
• Sainsbury Museum of Fine Art.
• Saint-Pierre Mancroft church.
• The botanical garden at the University of East Anglia.
• The walk along the Wensum river.
• The Dragon Hall, an emblematic medieval building.
• Norwich Castle Museum for local history.
• Saint-Jean-Baptiste Catholic Cathedral.
• East Gallery art gallery.
• Eaton Park for a nature break.
• Strangers’ Hall Museum of Life.

Weather: Temperate climate, mild summers, cool winters.

Typical dish to try: Norfolk dumpling, a specialty dumpling.

 

Winchester

The Region: Hampshire

The best things to do in Winchester :

• Winchester Cathedral, one of Europe’s greatest Gothic buildings.
• The Great Hall and King Arthur’s Round Table.
• The Winchester City Mill, a historic water mill.
• The Winchester Museum for the history of the city.
• South Downs National Park for hiking.
• Winchester market for local produce.
• Holy Cross Church.
• The Minster art gallery.
• The Westgate Museum, a former medieval tollbooth.
• Winchester Military Museum.
• City Space, an art gallery and exhibition space.
• The ruins of Hyde Abbey.

Weather: Temperate climate, mild summers, cool winters.

Typical dish to try: Hampshire hog roast.

 

Exeter

The Region: Devon

The best things to do in Exeter :

• Exeter Cathedral.
• Roman ruins and city walls.
• The Royal Albert Memorial Museum for art and history.
• Dartmoor National Park, nearby for hiking.
• Rougemont castle.
• The Guildhall, one of Britain’s oldest.
• Customs and excise museum.
• The museum of the medieval house of St Nicholas Priory.

Weather: Temperate climate, mild summers, cool winters.

Typical dish to try: Devon cream tea, with scones, jam and clotted cream.

 

Leeds

The Region: Yorkshire

The best things to do in Leeds:

• The Royal Armouries Museum.
• Leeds City Museum.
• Leeds Art Gallery.
• Kirkstall Abbey, a ruined Cistercian abbey.
• Harewood House, for its art, gardens and wildlife park.
• Roundhay Park, one of Europe’s largest urban parks.
• The Temple Newsam, a historic country house and park.
• The Corn Exchange, a Victorian building housing independent boutiques.
• The Thackray Medical Museum.
• Lotherton Hall, a country house and estate.
• Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills.
• Leeds Art Gallery, for contemporary art.

Weather: Temperate climate, mild summers, cool winters.

Typical dish to try: Yorkshire pudding, served with a Sunday roast.