London handles more flights than any other destination in the world. The English capital features five airports: London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stansted, London Luton and London City. The city boasts a seemingly endless list of attractions, with Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square and Big Ben among the most iconic landmarks.
UK Top Cities
Known primarily for its football team, Manchester offers visitors plenty more than sport. The Museum of Science and Industry and the Imperial War Museum North are contrasting but interesting experiences, while culture vultures should look no further than the Lowry theatre and exhibition centre. Excellent retail therapy can be had at the Trafford Centre, while Manchester United plays at Old Trafford Stadium. Manchester International Airport is the largest airport in the UK outside of London.
Deep in the heart of the Black Country, Birmingham is the second-largest city in the UK. The area has a rich industrial heritage, with the Black Country Museum depicting how life was during the Industrial Revolution. Other notable attractions include the Cadbury World chocolate factory and museum, and the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. Flights to the city arrive at Birmingham International Airport.
One of the UK’s most loved seaside resorts, Blackpool may not receive the number of holidaymakers it did in the past, but it still has plenty to offer. The city’s Blackpool Airport offers easy access to Blackpool Tower and Blackpool Pleasure Beach, among the most renowned resort attractions in England, while most of the action takes place along the North Pier.
The Victorian spa resort of Scarborough, on England’s east coast, has plenty to offer tourists. Scarborough Castle, Oliver’s Mount and the harbour and fish quay are among the main sites to visit, while the Stephen Joseph Theatre is one of the most renowned theatres outside the English capital. The North Yorkshire Moors are just a few kilometres away. Nearby airports include Tees Valley and Leeds Bradford.
Bristol, a vibrant up-and-coming city in England’s southwest, is served by Bristol Airport. The city offers visitors a little bit of everything, with the Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery catering for culture vultures, Bristol Harbour and Clifton Suspension Bridge among the most recognisable sights, and the Cabot Circus and Bristol Zoo offering superb family entertainment.
Leeds, surrounded by the beautiful Yorkshire Dales, is a thriving city with a buzzing centre. The Civic Quarter is home to Millennium Square, the Town Hall and the superb Leeds Art Gallery. Kirkgate Market is Europe’s largest, while the Corn Exchange is a shopper’s paradise. Those travelling to the city by air will land at Leeds-Bradford International Airport.
Without doubt one of England’s most attractive cities, York is visited by thousands of tourists each year. Leeds-Bradford is the closest airport, while Tees Valley, Newcastle and Manchester airports are all relatively nearby. This historical city boasts numerous things to do, with the Jorvik Viking Centre, the York Castle Museum and the National Railway Museum the pick of the museums, and the Gothic York Minster Cathedral the number one attraction.
The largest city in the northeast of England, Newcastle upon Tyne, is served by Newcastle International Airport. Modern and historic landmarks cross the Tyne in the form of the Gateshead Millennium Bridge and the Tyne Bridge and major draws, while the Angel of the North sculpture stands proudly on the road into town. Other notable attractions include nearby Hadrian’s Wall and the Metro Centre (one of Europe’s largest malls), while the Big Market is an incredibly boisterous night out.
Former European Capital of Culture Liverpool is awash with cultural heritage. Albert Dock is a trendy district, while the famous Cavern pub and Beatles Story museum tell of the city’s most famous sons. The Walker Art Gallery, the Tate Liverpool and the Royal Liver Building are just a few other notable attractions. The city is served by Liverpool John Lennon Airport, while Manchester International Airport is also close by.
Just off the south coast of England, the Isle of Wight is a beautiful holiday destination famed, among other things, for the offshore rocks known as the Needles. Alum Bay, Blackgang Chine, Carisbrooke Castle and the Steam Railway are just a few of the recommended attractions. Most visitors sail to the island, while Southampton International Airport on the mainland is the nearest airport.
Skegness is one of England’s most renowned seaside towns, made popular during the tourism boom of the mid-20th century. Famous landmarks from days gone by, such as Skegness Pier, remain while family attractions such as Bottons Pleasure Beach and Natureland Seal Sanctuary are among the newest draws. Most visitors arrive by road, but Humberside International Airport is close by.
The city of Nottingham is most famed for its local legend, Robin Hood. The city is served by East Midlands Airport, which lies to the southwest. Nottingham Castle is largely destroyed but houses a superb museum and art gallery. The city’s other primary attraction in Sherwood Forest nature reserve. One of many claimants to being England’s oldest inn, the Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem Inn, is worth seeing, as is the City of Caves underground tunnel complex dating to the Anglo-Saxon period.
Famed for its seven-mile stretch of golden beaches, Bournemouth is one of the south coast’s premier resorts. The town has reinvented itself, with popular attractions like the Bournemouth Eye and the Oceanarium among the newer introductions. St Peter’s Church and the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum may appeal to a different type of traveller. Bournemouth Airport is small, with most flights to the resort transferring through London.
One of England’s most vibrant cities, Brighton is home to one of the country’s most iconic landmarks, Brighton Pier, and a pebble beach. The Royal Pavilion is one of the main architectural attractions, while St James’s Street is the heart of the city’s gay village. The nearest sizable airport is London Gatwick, less than 30 minutes away by train.
Norwich is a relatively small city, yet it boasts two cathedrals and Europe’s largest intact medieval street network. Norwich International Airport provides flights to destinations including Edinburgh and Amsterdam. The historic city centre features Norwich Cathedral and the Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery, while the Forum is the city’s new landmark building.
Known as the Steel City, Sheffield is served by Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield Airport, one of the country’s newest air facilities. The city is more than just an industrial centre; it features cultural draws such as the Millennium Galleries, the Winter Garden and the Peace Gardens. Tudor Square is the cultural centre and home to the renowned Lyceum Theatre.
The major port city of Southampton, on England’s south coast, is served by Southampton International Airport, while London Heathrow and London Gatwick airports are around an hour’s drive away. Major tourist draws include the Central Parks and the medieval gatehouse of Bargate. Visitors can walk round the city walls in the day and catch a show at southern England’s largest theatre, the Mayflower, during the evening.
Famous for its Medieval heritage, Roman period baths and hot springs, Bath is a World Heritage site on the edge of the Cotswolds. The historic centre features the Bath Abbey, the Pulteney Bridge and the Roman Baths. The magnificently designed Royal Crescent and the Parade Gardens are also worth seeing, while the local rugby team is one of the world’s oldest. Bristol Airport is the closest international airport.
Famed for being the UK’s oldest university city, Oxford offers a feast of urban delights that attracts visitors from all over the world, with London Heathrow the main arrival point for those travelling by air. There are many well-known landmarks here, including the university campus, the Radcliffe Camera and the Bodleian Library. The Pitt Rivers Museum and the Oxford University Museum of Natural History are popular, while a river cruise or a stroll through the Botanic Gardens provides relaxing recreation.
The Scottish capital and second-largest city, Edinburgh, is served by Edinburgh International Airport. The city is dominated by Edinburgh Castle, which looks down on the beautiful Princes Street Gardens and one of Europe’s prime shopping areas, Princes Street. The Old Town features the Royal Mile and the Grassmarket, both interesting to walk through, while excellent city views can be seen from the top of Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano.
Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow, is served by both Glasgow International Airport and Glasgow Prestwick International Airport. Top attractions include the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, the Glasgow Science Centre, Glasgow Cathedral, the Willow Tea Rooms and the City Chambers. The city centre’s Buchanan Street is one of the main shopping areas.
Torquay, located along the English Riviera, is one of England’s prettiest seaside towns. Visitors can take advantage of the beautiful beaches, check out the Kents Cavern or enjoy a day ay Paignton Zoo, while other attractions include the National Marine Aquarium and Torre Abbey. The nearest airport is Exeter International Airport.
The Welsh capital and largest city, Cardiff, is served by Cardiff International Airport. Cardiff Castle stands proudly in the city centre as a reminder of the past, while the Millennium Stadium hosts a range of top events and is a symbol of modern day Cardiff. Llandaff Cathedral, the City Hall and St Fagan’s National History Museum are among the other main draws.
Belfast International and George Best Belfast City Airport serve the Northern Irish capital. This popular tourist city provides a variety of things to do, with the Transport Museum and the Ulster Folk Museum offering cultural insight, the Belfast Wheel superb city views, and the Grand Opera House and the Odyssey Arena the best shows and concerts.
Cambridge is home to one of the world’s most famous universities, with visitors arriving by air via London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Luton or London Stansted. The city has been voted one of England’s best tourist destinations due to attractions such as the Fitzwilliam and Imperial War museums, Wicken Fen, Anglessey Abbey and Kettle’s Yard, not to mention its famous university buildings and punting.
Located in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, Inverness is the UK’s most northerly city. Served by Inverness Airport, the city combines history and natural beauty with Inverness Castle, the Old High Church and Museum and Art Gallery, among other draws. Just outside the city are Culloden Battlefield and the unique Clava Cairns prehistoric site.
The small, Victorian seaside resort of Llandudno has long been one of Wales’ most popular tourist destinations. Llandudno Bay is overlooked by the Great Orme headland, providing a scenic setting. The main landmark, the Victoria Pier, is the UK’s second longest, while tours of the Bronze Age Copper Mines are a popular outing. The nearest airports are Liverpool and Manchester, just a short distance away over the English border.
The surf capital of the UK, Newquay, is one of the country’s most visited tourist destinations. It even has a small international airport which handles daily flights to London Gatwick and London Stansted. Popular beaches include Fistral, Crantock and Great Western. Horse rides along the beach, Newquay Zoo and the Lappa Valley Steam Railway are among the family activities, while the town’s nightlife is particularly vibrant in the summer.
The Granite City, Aberdeen, is Scotland’s third-largest city. Served by Aberdeen-Dyce Airport, which handles short-haul European flights as well as domestic flights, the city offers several first-class museums, including the Maritime and the Gordon Highlanders, while the Aberdeen Art Gallery is popular. Old Aberdeen features many attractive old buildings, while the Bohemian Quarter is the liveliest district in the evening.
