Grab your suitcase, no passport required. The Wordrobe delves deeper into the UK’s best historic cities for a spot of adventuring in 2024
The UK is home to an impressive number of exciting cities, but did you know that it is a cultural hub teeming with historic sights? Not to mention an abundance of national parks just waiting to be explored.
From awe-inspiring locations in the north of England to beautiful places in the south, we take a look at just a few historic cities that we deem to be a must-see – we couldn’t possibly cover them all here!
With that in mind, here are four of our favourites below:
York, North Yorkshire
While York is relatively small, it’s still a city – and rightly so! With a Viking past and Roman roots, the city sure is steeped in history. To this day, York still retains its medieval aesthetic, which is reflected in the city’s architecture, independent shops, and museums.
When visiting York, you must stroll through the Shambles. One of the best-preserved medieval shopping streets in Europe, you’ll be in awe of the variety of stores and the selection of chocolate and sweet vendors.
Even better, it’s so easy to get to York. Whether you’re travelling from Leeds, Liverpool, or as far as London, there are plenty of direct trains to York throughout the week.
Durham, County Durham
One of the UK’s more vibrant and rapidly developing regions, Durham is best known for its Norman cathedral and castle. Now a designated World Heritage Site, the collection of stunning architecture lies atop a huge crag above the River Wear.
And let’s not forget about Durham’s Heritage Coast, a fantastic backdrop featuring rugged cliffs, shallow bays, and local amenities. After a long day of exploring, a walk along this gorgeous coastline is recommended.
Bath, Somerset
A Roman-founded location and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bath is admired for its cultural importance. The city is widely known for its world-famous Roman Baths, which can still be visited to this day. While you can’t take a dip in the actual Baths, you can visit one of the city’s many spas.
Bath is also popular for its array of Georgian buildings and architecture. From the Royal Crescent to Lansdowne Crescent, and the Circus, there are some great examples of Palladian design for visitors to discover.
Oxford, Oxfordshire
Oxford is one of the UK’s most picturesque settings, home to a highly prestigious university and an incredible collection of libraries. Numerous gifted individuals were once educated here, including W H Auden and J R Tolkien, and the city has been used for various movie locations, so it certainly has a rich history.
From just walking through Oxford, you’ll come across an anthology of European architecture styles, including the Baroque Radcliffe Camera and St. Catherine’s.
