Skip page header and navigation

We don’t do ‘sightseeing’. Yes, our cities are full of iconic attractions – but why simply admire them when you can jump right in? Maybe you’ll explore London on a moonlit kayaking tour, go gin tasting and ghost hunting in Cardiff, or discover Edinburgh’s secret underground streets? From river cruises in floating hot-tubs, to overnight stays in our zoos and museums. Whatever you find, you’ll find it with a warm British welcome.

Top city destinations to visit

All city destinations

Known as the City of Stories, create your own narrative as you explore Norwich’s huge array of historic and modern day attractions.

East England

Visit Norwich/Norwich Paddleboarding

Norwich, England

A group of people paddleboarding on the River Wensum

From a Medieval monarch found under a car park to the city’s celebration of multicultural modern life, Leicester has got it all.

Midlands

Visit Leicester

Leicester, England

An outdoor view of Leicester's historic Guild Hall

Britain’s Ocean City offers a seamless blend of maritime charm and natural beauty; a cultural hub filled with award-winning museums and waterfront attractions.

South West England

Jay Stone

Plymouth, England

People paddleboarding near a dock in Plymouth

Small but mighty, Exeter is a city with seriously cool credentials.

South West England

Exeter City Council

A view down a shopping street in Exeter's Castle Quarter

Chester’s charm is captivating and unmissable, from City Walls oozing with history and tales of Romans, to seeing the animal kingdom at Chester Zoo.

North West England

VisitBritain/Lisa Ruohoniemi

Street with some historic houses and shops

A storyteller of history, Lincoln is a city with thousands of tales to tell.

Midlands

Getty Images/Julian Elliott Photography

Lincoln Cathedral with Tudor timber framed buildings in foreground

From its beginnings as a Norman Fortress, Lancaster’s buildings, streets and locals can tell tales of gigantic proportions.

North West England

Marketing Lancashire

 External view of Lancaster castle with visitors sitting around the lawn in the foreground

Sitting on the edge of the Peak District National Park, its a place for outdoor lovers, adrenaline cravers and creative thinkers.

Yorkshire and Humber

Salt St for The Outdoor City

People riding bikes on the inner city mountain bike trails at Parkwood Springs, Sheffield

A place for roaming Romans, valiant Vikings and a playground for wizards, Durham is bursting with magical moments.

North East England

Getty Images/E+/SolStock

A male couple sitting in a rowboat, rowing together

A perfect blend of nature and urban living, this Essex city was made to be explored.

East England

Indre @Colchesterstreets

Man walking through arch covered in flowers at Lion Walk, Colchester

The city of Cambridge is a hotbed of history, architecture and innovation.

East England

Shutterstock/Pajor Pawel

View of college in Cambridge with people punting on River

Cool creative Bristol is a must-see for art, culture and action-packed adventure.

South West England

VisitBritain/Rod Edwards

Lit up hot air balloons and fireworks in the night sky

A quirky seaside city filled with diverse cuisine, vintage shopping and adrenaline fuelled adventure.

South East England

British Airways i360

Brighton

Female yoga class taking place on the viewing platform of British Airways i360 Viewing Tower

The birthplace of 2-Tone music, and home to a bohemian village and a showy modern cathedral.

Midlands

West Midlands Growth Company

Robot sculpture outside a building with geometric décor

Small and mighty – York is the medieval walled city that really packs a punch.

Yorkshire and Humber

VisitBritain/Sam Barker

Woman wearing trench coat and pink hat walking

Lovers of The Crown can wrap themselves in royalty as this town is about as regal as it gets.

South East England

Royal Collection Trust / © His Majesty King Charles III 2022

Guards marching, Windsor Castle

Birthplace of the great bard, William Shakespeare, fall in love with this hopelessly romantic 16th century town.

Midlands

©VisitBritain/Nemorin

Couple walking around the exterior of Shakespeare's Birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England

From The Beatles to Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Liverpool is a UNESCO City of Music with seriously cool credentials.

North West England

Oh Me Oh My

Liverpool

Rooftop of Oh me oh my restaurant in Liverpool

A hotbed for shopping and the arts, you’ll find lots to explore in Leeds.

Yorkshire and Humber

VisitBritain/Thomas Heaton

The Victorian formal gardens with statues and low hedges in front of Harewood House

From palaces to cobbled alleys, and a dormant volcano, this city is a real show-stopper.

Lowland Scotland

VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

Edinburgh

A young couple taking a selfie of view over historic town

Pushing the boundaries of art and culture and a heart that beats through its people.

Lowland Scotland

VisitBritain/Tommy Ga-Ken Wan

Two men looking at installation of suspended head sculptures

Just an hour by train from London and you’re in the city of dreaming spires.

South East England

VisitBritain/Jess Barfield

Two boys playing on a path in front of a palace

An industrial hub with a vibrant, creative heart and a whole host of quirky adventures.

Midlands

West Midlands Growth Company

Historical building, with a clock tower, beside a fountain

Packed with lively pubs, an eclectic food scene and a myriad of immersive experiences.

Northern Ireland

Tourism Northern Ireland

The Titanic, Belfast

Step into a land of castles, world-renowned rugby and a whole host of myths and legends.

South Wales

VisitBritain/Ben Selway

Cardiff

A gay couple enjoying the shopping facilities at Castle Arcade in Cardiff, Wales

Linked by no fewer than seven bridges, it's one vibrant place to visit.

North East England

Rich Kenworthy

Newcastle, England

Mensen die fietsen en skateboarden op een pad langs rivier de Tyne bij Newcastle

World-class football and a music scene that brought Oasis to centre stage – there’s lots to love about Manchester.

North West England

VisitBritain/Manchester Craft Beer Festival

DJ playing to groups of people at Manchester Craft Beer Festival, in Depot Mayfield, Manchester

An unmissable destination for travellers, London is a melting pot of history, culture and green spaces.

London

VisitBritain/Hazel Parreno

Picadilly Circus underground station

Steeped in legends that surround Robin Hood to literary greats, discover what this city has to offer.

Midlands

projecthoop

A performer in front of Nottingham Castle

A wellness retreat for the Romans and Georgian architecture around every corner.

South West England

VisitBritain

Woman swimming in a swimming pool at a spa

Things to do in the city

Over 8,000 species spread across 40 acres of beautiful gardens and glasshouses in the centre of Cambridge offer year-round interest and inspiration to visitors of all ages.

Visit Cambridge University Botanic Garden

theallotmentgeek

Cambridge University Botanic Garden
Cambridge University Botanic Garden

As well as live concerts and spectacular Baroque architecture, Kelvingrove is home to 8,000 treasured exhibits too.

Plan your visit to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

VisitBritain/Tommy Ga-Ken Wan

Glasgow

Two men looking at installation of suspended head sculptures
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

See the largest publicly owned collection of British vehicles of anywhere, including the world’s two fastest cars.

For more information on the Coventry Transport Museum

©VisitBritain/Nemorin

Two men looking at an exhibit of motorbikes at Coventry Transport Museum.
Coventry Transport Museum

Even 100 years after this mighty ship sank, its story still captures our imagination – brought to life by Titanic Belfast.

Explore Titanic Belfast

Tourism Northern Ireland

The Titanic, Belfast
Titanic Belfast

Visit this 19th-century seaside ‘pleasure palace’ in the heart of Brighton to discover its colourful history.

Find out more about Brighton’s eclectic Royal Pavilion

VisitBritain/Simon Anderson/Royal Pavilion

Brighton

Royal Pavilion at dusk, lit up in a range of vivid colours
Royal Pavilion

You’ll find everything from dinosaur bones to contemporary art at this fantastic free museum.

Delve into the National Museum Cardiff

Visit Wales Image Centre

People viewing artwork in the National Museum Cardiff
National Museum Cardiff

Spanning the beautiful Avon Gorge, this is one of the world’s most architecturally ambitious bridges – a true work of art.

Find out more about Clifton Suspension Bridge

VisitBritain/Eric Nathan

Hot air baloons floating above the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol
Clifton Suspension Bridge

Don’t miss the UK-exclusive last ever shows from The Eagles at Manchester’s vibrant new venue, Co-op Live.

Get your concert tickets

Manchester Co-Op Live

Promotional artwork for the final Eagles show at Manchester Co-Op Live
The Eagles – The Long Goodbye Final Tour

Glasgow’s Mural Trail transforms the city’s streets.

Discover more about Glasgow's Mural Trail

Art Pistol & Rogue Oner, Bubbles/Glasgow Mural Trail

Glasgow

Mural on wall of kids blowing bubbles, Glasgow Mural Trail
Glasgow Mural Trail

Get hands-on with history at this former palace and prison. It’s full of tales and treasures, including the Crown Jewels.

Book your Tower of London tickets

Visit Britain/George Johnson

Beefeater walking by the, Tower of London on a sunny day
Tower of London

Discover this dramatic fortress, perched on top of an extinct volcano at the top of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.

Plan your visit to Edinburgh Castle

VisitBritain/Steven Oates

Edinburgh

Green and red deck chairs laid out on grass in a park
Edinburgh Castle

Over 8,000 species spread across 40 acres of beautiful gardens and glasshouses in the centre of Cambridge offer year-round interest and inspiration to visitors of all ages.

Visit Cambridge University Botanic Garden

theallotmentgeek

Cambridge University Botanic Garden
Cambridge University Botanic Garden

As well as live concerts and spectacular Baroque architecture, Kelvingrove is home to 8,000 treasured exhibits too.

Plan your visit to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

VisitBritain/Tommy Ga-Ken Wan

Glasgow

Two men looking at installation of suspended head sculptures
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

See the largest publicly owned collection of British vehicles of anywhere, including the world’s two fastest cars.

For more information on the Coventry Transport Museum

©VisitBritain/Nemorin

Two men looking at an exhibit of motorbikes at Coventry Transport Museum.
Coventry Transport Museum

Even 100 years after this mighty ship sank, its story still captures our imagination – brought to life by Titanic Belfast.

Explore Titanic Belfast

Tourism Northern Ireland

The Titanic, Belfast
Titanic Belfast

Visit this 19th-century seaside ‘pleasure palace’ in the heart of Brighton to discover its colourful history.

Find out more about Brighton’s eclectic Royal Pavilion

VisitBritain/Simon Anderson/Royal Pavilion

Brighton

Royal Pavilion at dusk, lit up in a range of vivid colours
Royal Pavilion

You’ll find everything from dinosaur bones to contemporary art at this fantastic free museum.

Delve into the National Museum Cardiff

Visit Wales Image Centre

People viewing artwork in the National Museum Cardiff
National Museum Cardiff

Spanning the beautiful Avon Gorge, this is one of the world’s most architecturally ambitious bridges – a true work of art.

Find out more about Clifton Suspension Bridge

VisitBritain/Eric Nathan

Hot air baloons floating above the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol
Clifton Suspension Bridge

Don’t miss the UK-exclusive last ever shows from The Eagles at Manchester’s vibrant new venue, Co-op Live.

Get your concert tickets

Manchester Co-Op Live

Promotional artwork for the final Eagles show at Manchester Co-Op Live
The Eagles – The Long Goodbye Final Tour

Glasgow’s Mural Trail transforms the city’s streets.

Discover more about Glasgow's Mural Trail

Art Pistol & Rogue Oner, Bubbles/Glasgow Mural Trail

Glasgow

Mural on wall of kids blowing bubbles, Glasgow Mural Trail
Glasgow Mural Trail

Get hands-on with history at this former palace and prison. It’s full of tales and treasures, including the Crown Jewels.

Book your Tower of London tickets

Visit Britain/George Johnson

Beefeater walking by the, Tower of London on a sunny day
Tower of London

Discover this dramatic fortress, perched on top of an extinct volcano at the top of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.

Plan your visit to Edinburgh Castle

VisitBritain/Steven Oates

Edinburgh

Green and red deck chairs laid out on grass in a park
Edinburgh Castle

Follow us on Instagram

Follow VisitBritain
StoryStream social media feed

Still not sure where to go?

Want to kayak with dolphins, scuba with seals, or cruise to wildlife-filled islands? Britain’s coastline is yours to explore – and has beautiful beaches of every description.