The Covid-19 pandemic killed off international travel for most Brits. Instead, stay-cations became the norm. While the world may have opened back up, stay-cations are here to … well…stay, with over 50% of Brits opting to holiday at home instead of abroad. If you’re looking for your next stay-cation destination then look no further.
I’ll be running down the best eight English cities to have a stay-cation in. You’ll find that London is nowhere to be seen. London’s a great city, but England has plenty of alternatives. And while Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland also have their own beautiful cities, they deserve their own lists. If you don’t see your favourite city, be sure to read my first list here.
Coventry
We’re starting out in the West Midlands with Coventry: the UK’s 2021 city of culture. It is deep-rooted in history. You can walk around the ruins of the medieval Coventry Cathedral which was bombed during the London blitz. Have you heard of the legend of Lady Godiva? She rode on horseback through Coventry city centre. Doesn’t sound like anything special? Well, she was as naked as the day she was born. Why? Go to Coventry to find out! While you’re there, take a day to go round the Transport Museum where you’ll find out that Coventry was the birthplace of the bicycle.
But it’s not just history; Coventry has a lot to offer for art as well. The Reel Store is a digital gallery designed to wow viewers with its immersive artistic experiences. Or why not explore some of Coventry’s gorgeous countryside. Stroll along the thirty-eight mile Coventry Canal and tuck into Eggs Benedict or American Style Pancakes at the Playwrights Cafe.
And after you’ve had a busy day exploring Coventry, there is plenty to keep you busy throughout the evening and into the night. The Kasbah club regularly plays live music and has hosted artists from Calvin Harris to the Arctic Monkeys. If cocktails are more your thing than Catch 22 has you covered. You can even make your own drinks. Reckon you have a good poker face? Put that to the test at Grosvenor Casino. And if you’re looking for something to eat, then Coventry has you covered with Indian, Korean, Middle-Eastern and Pakistani food. This West-Midlands city might not be as well known as some others, but it still has loads to offer.
Durham
I went to university in the North-Eastern city of Newcastle, but I regularly took day-trips down to Durham. I loved the city. It was always so calm and tranquil. Situated on the River Wear, a walk through the city centre will leave you breathless. I took many happy walks along this river marvelling at the serenity. If you want to go further afield, then there’s the amazing Durham Dales that epitomise the great British countryside.
The first thing you might notice while stepping off the train is the mighty Durham Cathedral where they filmed scenes from the Harry Potter film series and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. If you have a head for heights, then climb the tower’s 325 steps to witness Durham’s spectacular landscape. This gorgeous building is definitely not to be missed.
Durham is also great for shopping. If you love a bargain, like I do, take advantage of the many charity shops. But there is also a wealth of independent boutiques and restaurants. You can eat Indian, Mexican, Italian, Pan-Asian, the list is endless. And by being a university city, it also has a thriving night life. We’ve already spoken about the restaurants, but there are countless clubs and bars you can attend. Fancy some table tennis with all your mates? Go to Wiff Waff. If you like live music and cocktails, you would love Osbournes. Speaking of live music, the Old Cinema Launderette hosts some of the best gigs in the city!
When it comes to the North-East, my heart will always be with Newcastle, but Durham is a very close second.
Leeds
We’re heading to the great city of Leeds located in Western Yorkshire. Leeds became a city in 1893 and has always been an industrial hub. Widely known as a mill city, it was also a strong player in engineering, printing and iron foundry.
Since then, it has been voted as one of the best places to live in the North of England. Perhaps this could be because everybody is so friendly – let’s face it, anywhere is friendlier than London, I’m a Londoner, I can say that – or how Leeds is only a stone throw away from the gorgeous Yorkshire Dales. This national park has some of the most staggering landscapes in the whole country attracting mountaineers, hikers and photographers from across the nation.
The city is also compact and easy to navigate with reliable bus routes. This makes it easy to experience all Leeds has to offer whether that’s the independent shops or the numerous arts and music venues. Did you know that it’s the only city outside of London to boast a resident opera and ballet company? If you love live music, then the Domino Club plays the best of funk and groove or the Leeds O2 academy regularly hosts the latest up-coming bands.
Leeds is a great city to visit. From its rich culture to its friendly locals, you won’t find a nicer place in Yorkshire!
Leicester
And we have returned to the midlands. More specifically, the East Midlands. If Manchester is, arguably, best-known for China Town and its wonderful Chinese food, Leicester is where you should go for the most authentic and delicious Indian food. Home to many South Asian migrants, you can find the best curry houses on Belgrave Road, better known as the Golden Mile. While there, why not visit one of the many jewellery stores? Go during Diwali to see one of the biggest celebrations outside of India.
Leicester is also home to an 800-year-old market where you can buy anything from clothes to bric-a-brac to fruit and vegetables, to meat, to cheese, to fish to food from Africa and the Caribbean. After, explore Leicester’s rich heritage. This city has settlements from the Saxons to the Normans to the Vikings. But, most famously, there is also the Richard the III visitor centre. In 2012, the former king’s remains were discovered in a car park and laid to rest in Leicester Cathedral, which well worth a look around. Least of all because it’s free. Visit later this year to see it in all its renovated glory.
But don’t just stay within the city walls. It isn’t far from the beautiful British countryside. Treat yourself to a walk along the River Soar. While you’re there, go to Abbey Park where you can enjoy the sensory garden, stroke the pigs, rabbits and goats in pets’ corner and ride the miniature railway.
As well as the river, Leicester is also full of canals. You can quite easily spend a day at the Foxton Locks. Whether you’re walking or cycling, go during the summer, to appreciate the beauty of the area. If you’re tired, you can slake your thirst in one of the cafes or pubs you’ll find along the way. Bradgate Park is also a great place to take the kids. They’ll love running around the 830 acres of public ground.
And you can’t go to Leicester without visiting the National Space Centre. Boasting the UK’s largest planetarium and a 42m tall rocket tower, it really is an out-of-the-world experience. Cheesy puns aside, this is a fun day for all the family. Six separate interactive galleries will teach you all you want to know about the universe while the centre holds many different themed events from Doctor Who to Star Wars. Doesn’t that just sound stellar?
Manchester
Why should you visit this North-Western city? Chinatown. Easy. Next! Just kidding. As much as I love Manchester’s Chinatown, there is far more to this city than that. Firstly, it’s famously home to one of the world’s best known football teams: Manchester United. Seeing your favourite team play at Old Trafford is an unmissable experience.
Heard of the Britpop legends Oasis? Or what about Take That: one of the biggest boybands of the nineties? And who could forget pioneering rock bands like The Smiths or Joy Division? What do all these acts have in common? They all started out in Manchester. Manchester continues its rich musical heritage with a wealth of music venues. The Albert Hall regularly hosts the biggest up-and-coming acts while the Castle Hotel is a far smaller and much more intimate venue.
We’ve touched on football, food and music, but let’s not forget Manchester’s gorgeous landscape. Like many other Northern cities, it has a huge canal network. And the canals are the best way to see the city. Take a canal cruise where you can learn all about Manchester’s industrial history. And what an industrial history. In fact, it was known as the World’s first industrial city with a thriving cotton industry that soon grew into a wider textile industry.
And because Manchester is such a centrally-located city, it is a great launching pad for exploring more of the great British countryside. The Lake District, Yorkshire Moors and North Wales are only a short train or car ride away. Leeds, another city on this list, is only an hour away in the car!
So, we’ve covered music, food, countryside and history. Is there any other reason to visit Manchester? Chinatown! Oh wait, did I say that already?
Oxford
Oxford is best-known for its university. Oxford University is not only the oldest, but the best university in the English-speaking world, if not the whole world. With having some form of teaching since 1096, the university and the city itself are steeped in history, culture and gorgeous architecture. You can learn all about this history, and much more, at the free Ashmolean museum or you can wonder at the latest art exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art. They currently have exhibitions focussing on the work of Marina Abramnovic and Monica Sjoo.
Fun fact! Oxford is called Oxford as it was named after a shallow part of a river where oxen could cross. The Cherwell and the Thames both run through Oxford and there’s no better way of seeing the city than with a river cruise. Why not combine that with a cocktail or a bite to eat? And if you’re in Oxford, then you must go punting. It’s Oxford tradition! Port Meadow is also one of Oxford’s most beautiful open spaces; ideal for a lovely walk in the spring.
And calling all Harry Potter fans. You can go on a walking tour seeing all of the real life locations where the films were shot. You can also visit a lot of where Downton Abbey was filmed. After you’ve visited the filming locations, why not watch a film for real? The Ultimate Picture Cinema shows new releases as well as some old classics. And once you’ve taken off your film hat, why not have a drink in one of Oxford’s many pubs, like the Bear Inn which claims to be the oldest pub within the city. After all, finishing your day with a pint is practically an English institution.
Southend-on-Sea
Being an island, Great Britain has some 11,000 miles of coastline. Occupying a small, but important part of this coastline is the Essex city of Southend. It might be one of England’s youngest cities, but that doesn’t make it any less lovely to visit. Why not take a walk along the world’s longest pleasure pier? You could play a game of Crazy Golf or visit the Pier museum. Or you could just spend a day at the beach. Thorpe Bay is a great place to take a pleasant stroll, go stand-up paddle boarding or even just lounge in the summer sun.
But there’s no reason, you have to wait until summer to visit Southend. The Sea Life Adventure aquarium is fun to visit whatever the weather. Both kids and adults alike will love seeing the forty different displays. There’s even a little zoo where you can hand-feed meerkats. I think meerkats are some of the cutest animals, so this is definitely going on my list.
Southend also boasts the Jazz Centre, the first of its kind in the UK, and a veritable Mecca for worldwide jazz fans. There are whole basements dedicated to jazz memorabilia where you can learn about the pioneers of the genre from Duke Ellington to old Satchmo. Come on the weekend and you’ll be treated to some fantastic live music.
And like many of these cities, Southend also boasts a broad history. The thirteenth century Hadleigh Castle is an important part of this history. It’s free to enter and offers great views of the Essex countryside.
Truro
We’re ending in the Southwest corner of the country with this gorgeous city situated in the heart of Cornwall. Cornwall is in England, but for all intents and purposes, it might as well be another country with beaches out of the Mediterranean, surfing hotspots to rival anywhere else and its own rich cultural heritage.
Truro has something for everybody. For the adrenaline junkies, we’ve already talked about surfing, so why not take it up a notch with wind-surfing? Or if you prefer air to water, why not go abseiling or rock-climbing? Or you could give bubble football a go? I swear, it’s a real thing. Truro also has gorgeous countryside. You can take beautiful walks in Boscawen Park or along the Tresillian river.
If you prefer something quieter, than why not research into Cornwall’s rich history? The Royal Cornwall Museum has exhibitions on Cornwall’s tin mining heritage. You can also go on many walking tours of the city, as well as visiting Truro cathedral. Did you know that Cornish used to be a language completely separate from English? Although largely extinct, it has recently undergone a revival. Any budding linguists can join one of the many Cornish language groups.
And, of course, we have to talk about food. In Truro, you can eat everything from tapas to pizza. But something you’ll find everywhere is the famous Cornish Pasty. This meat and vegetable baked product is well-known throughout the country, but its home will always be Cornwall. It’s a crime to come to Cornwall and not eat it.
It would also be a crime to come to England and only visit London. Like so many other countries, there is so much more to England than its capital city. You now have eight alternative choices, so why are you still reading this? Book some train tickets and start exploring. As for me, I’m already planning my next stay-cation.
