Planning a vacation to the United Kingdom? Perhaps you've been to London and are wondering what are the best cities to visit in England beyond the capital?
In this guide to England's cities (beyond London), I'll provide a snapshot of each destination to provide some inspiration for your England itinerary.
Look at this post as your launchpad to an amazing city-focused trip to the UK with curated summaries of must-visit English cities including some hidden gems you may not have heard of.
Each section of the guide links out to more detailed information about that destination to help you dive deeper as you plan your trip. Let's go!
1. York
York is known for its well-preserved medieval core. Walk along the city walls to see the hustle of the city and York Minster shining in the sun.
Visit one of York's many historic pubs like The Three Tuns or the Golden Fleece. Deep dive on the history of the "Venerable Crapper" (toilets to you and me) at the York Castle History Museum.
✨ Spend a weekend in York
2. Birmingham
Birmingham is the second largest city in the UK, and home to a variety of pubs where you can enjoy an English ale. Wander along Birmingham's many canals and explore the paths lined with houseboats.
Keep an eye out for the city's numerous sculptures. Take a day trip to the Black Country Living Museum to see what life was like in a coal town.
✨ Discover fun things to do in Birmingham
3. Chester
This city is known for its historic architecture and pubs. Embark on a pub crawl to see Chester's medieval and modern pubs.
Walk the Chester city walls and enter the city through the impressive Eastgate and Newgate city gates. Browse the Chester Rows, a series of medieval shops along Chester Old Town's main thoroughfare.
✨ Explore Chester for a weekend
4. Liverpool
Located less than two hours from Birmingham by train, Liverpool is famous for its musical history as the birthplace of the Beatles. See the impressive Chinatown Gate and be on the lookout for Liverpool's street art.
Take a stroll along the Liverpool Waterfront at Albert Dock, a hub of tourist activity. Spend some time in the Merseyside Maritime Museum learning about famous shipwrecks, including the Titanic and the Lusitania.
Take the ferry cross the Mersey and invoke the famous song by Gerry and the Pacemakers.
✨ Spend one day in Liverpool
5. Manchester
Manchester is home to one of the most famous football teams in the world, Manchester United. Visit Exchange Square and the light-filled glass atrium at the Triangle Shopping Centre. Pay your respects at the red post box that survived the IRA bombing.
Marvel at the architecture and explore the book-lined reading room at the John Rylands Library. Visit the Museum of Science and Industry for a fascinating look at Manchester's industrial past.
✨ Find out things to do in Manchester in a day
6. Canterbury
Located in Kent, England, this city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the Archbishop of Canterbury, leader of the Church of England.
Take a stroll through the Westgate Gardens and see its impressive Oriental Plane tree. Explore Solly's Orchard and Mill Park, which still retains vestiges of its past life as a mill.
Walk along Canterbury's intact medieval town wall. Go punting on the canal. Take a day trip to Dover to explore WWII history.
✨ Take a weekend break in Canterbury
7. Bath
Bath is known for its Roman origins, including its namesake baths and striking architecture. Take a morning walk to see the old Roman architecture and enjoy having the pedestrian streets to yourself.
Visit the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, established in 1739 to take advantage of the area's healing waters. Go on a day trip to world-famous Stonehenge. This prehistoric stone monument is located about an hour outside of Bath.
✨ Discover fun places to visit in Bath and beyond
8. Faversham
Located about 15 minutes by train from Canterbury, Faversham is a quaint town with a lot of medieval architecture. Enjoy breakfast or a cup of coffee at Jittermugs. See the many examples of half-timbered buildings. Stop in for a pint at the Bear Inn, a cozy English pub.
9. Rochester
Located about 45 minutes to an hour from London by train, Rochester is located on the same train line as Faversham and only a 30-minute train ride away.
Take a walk along the high street. Visit Rochester Castle. Enjoy a pint at one of Rochester's many pubs.
✨ Find out why Faversham and Rochester are worth visiting
10. Leeds
Leeds is a popular Ryanair destination and a great city to combine with York. Check out the historic arcades such as Queens Arcade, Thornton's Arcade, and County Arcade.
Explore the Leeds City Markets and see the ornate architecture and street art. Visit the Corn Exchange, which features a variety of shops to explore.
✨ Plan a stopover in Leeds
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There you have it: my curated list of the great cities to visit in England besides London. Which places will you choose to add to your UK itinerary?
Of course, London is a fantastic city to visit as well so make sure to explore neighborhoods like Tower Bridge, Covent Garden, and South Kensington if you are passing through at the beginning or end of your UK trip.
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