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
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
Mix heritage with designer chic by the sea in Portsmouth
Treat yourself to a waterfront break where you can delve into history while still enjoying a spot of designer retail therapy.
Location: Portsmouth, Hampshire
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
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
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
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
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
Splash your cash in the Victoria Quarter
A haven for designer brands, the award-winning Victoria Quarter is renowned as one of England’s finest shopping destinations.
Location: Leeds, West 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
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
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
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
Explore the nooks and crannies of Norwich’s artistic spaces
Norwich is full of cultural activities, with many arts venues found in surprising places, some amongst its most beautiful gardens and public spaces.
Location: Norwich, Norfolk
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
Take Cambridge’s history in your stride on this walking tour
Navigate your way through Cambridge’s cobbled streets and its 1,000-year history, with one of the city’s expert guides.
Location: Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
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
Food, fashion and fantastic ales
Explore Leeds city centre stopping off along the way to sample the finest local and independent breweries offerings.
Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire
Spend a weekend on the Waterfront in Lincoln
Lincoln’s unique city-centre waterfront is the ideal base for a vibrant, exciting weekend city break.
Location: Lincoln, Lincolnshire
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
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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