It is said an English city is but a composition of eclectic villages, each distinct from the other. As a nation we delight in the diversity of our neighbourhoods. Creative types colonise one neighbourhood, tapping on laptops in trendy coffee shops, museums and galleries bustle with culture vultures in cultural quarters, and laid-back types hang out in the parks and surrounding pubs, while shopping addicts make the most of boutique and designer shops jostling for space in exclusive high streets across the country. Chinatowns brim with colour, the aromas of great restaurants and festivals, while sequinned dresses, steel drums and a heady mix of food stalls herald a West Indian and Caribbean street party.
Neighbourhoods
It is said an English city is but a composition of eclectic villages, each distinct from the other. As a nation we delight in the diversity of our neighbourhoods. Creative types colonise one neighbourhood, tapping on laptops in trendy coffee shops, museums and galleries bustle with culture vultures in cultural quarters, and laid-back types hang out in the parks and surrounding pubs, while shopping addicts make the most of boutique and designer shops jostling for space in exclusive high streets across the country. Chinatowns brim with colour, the aromas of great restaurants and festivals, while sequinned dresses, steel drums and a heady mix of food stalls herald a West Indian and Caribbean street party.
Soak up the creativity of the Northern Quarter
While away an afternoon in the Northern Quarter, Manchester's vibrant, urban heart, with its fantastic array of vintage shops, cafés and bars.
Location: Manchester, Greater Manchester
Unlace Nottingham’s lacemaking heritage
Nottinghamshire was once the heart of the world’s lace making industry, and it has a proud industrial heritage still strong today.
Location: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Discover a foodie’s heaven on the quayside
Enjoy fine dining, traditional pubs and a long history of oyster fishing in Emsworth, near Portsmouth.
Location: Emsworth, Hampshire
From the Kissing Policeman to the Kiss Wall
Brighton & Hove is an artistic hub with a wide variety of art galleries, the biggest of which is the city itself.
Location: Brighton & Hove, East Sussex
Saris and jewellery to spices and dining on the Golden Mile
A trip to Leicester isn’t complete without a visit to the Golden Mile.
Location: Leicester, Leicestershire
Uncover hidden treasures in the historic Jewellery Quarter
Explore this creative industrial hub in Birmingham and admire Georgian and Victorian architecture.
Location: Birmingham, West Midlands
August events: Notting Hill Carnival
Dance to the steel pans, see amazing costumes and enjoy a slice of the Caribbean at Notting Hill Carnival, the biggest street carnival in Europe.
Location: Notting Hill, Greater London
Take a taste of Norwich back home with you
Norwich’s compact creative quarter is packed with foodie delights, from fine dining restaurants to asparagus and Colman’s Mustard.
Location: Norwich, Norfolk
Take your pick from Liverpool’s rich cultural gems
Liverpool is a thriving capital of culture with museums and galleries for every taste, many of which are free to explore. Dip in and emerge inspired.
Location: Liverpool, Merseyside
Discover heritage and luxury in the heart of Oxford
Uncover the history of Oxford Castle Quarter, and then relax at the luxurious Macdonald Randolph Hotel on a city break in historical Oxford.
Location: Oxford, Oxfordshire
Pick up a bargain at Camden's Stables Market
Visit the Stables Market in Camden and pick up affordable vintage fashion, cheap street food and quirky souvenirs – all without breaking the bank.
Location: Camden, Greater London
Uncover Blackpool’s Victorian heritage and charm
Explore the Winter Gardens innate beauty and enjoy afternoon tea in the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom.
Location: Blackpool, Lancashire
Shop and sup in style in Nottingham's hippest neighbourhood
Base your city break in Nottingham’s Creative Quarter, buzzing with bars and restaurants, vintage shopping, quirky retailers and cultural events.
Location: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Discover the vibrant Ouseburn
Ouseburn is one of the most visually attractive, creatively exciting and historically fascinating areas in the North East.
Location: Newcastle, Tyne and Wear
Pick up your knife and fork in Sheffield’s Kelham Island
Take a new twist on ‘Made in Sheffield’ and you’ll see why cutlery still has such an important place in Sheffield’s heart.
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Discover Manchester’s bohemian Northern Quarter
The Northern Quarter offers a truly alternative experience with its array of unique independent retailers, retro boutiques, cafés and bars.
Location: Manchester, Greater Manchester
Uncover the stories behind Hull’s Old Town
William Wilberforce, Civil War plotting and a fascinating maritime past make up a rich and vivid history in East Yorkshire.
Location: Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
Discover the Lanes and North Laine
The Lanes were originally the centre of the sleepy fishing village of Brighthelmstone.
Location: Brighton & Hove, East Sussex
Discover the home of Banksy on a Bristol Street Art Tour
Street art tours are a ‘must do’ cultural experience in the city, thanks to Bristol-born Banksy and many other famous artists
Location: Bristol
Explore Cambridge University
Take a walking tour through the colleges that make up one of the most prestigious universities in the world – Cambridge.
Location: Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
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