Thinking of a weekend away, somewhere romantic, somewhere for quality time with just you and your partner, somewhere for the whole family? Have you thought about staying in the UK? Everyone has their ideal location of where they want to go to for their romantic getaway or a fun weekend with the kids, but sometimes it’s just not feasible.
So why not look a little closer to home and stay within the UK, there are some great places to visit with many amazing adventures which can be explored. When you think of the UK and places to stay, where do you think of? Cambridge, London, Blackpool maybe? Well the travellers choice of 2013 suggests that the top 5 destinations in the UK to visit are; London, Manchester, Glasgow, Liverpool and Belfast.
As a helping hand, we thought we would give you a little low down about these places to visit, what you can do and where you can stay. No need to thank us!
London
Where should you stay? It all depends on what you are looking for; London has so much to offer. One option is a luxury apartment such as the Grand Plaza serviced apartments. Here you can enjoy the stylish and modern studios or one and two bedroom residences located minutes from the Queensway and Bayswater tube stations. An ideal location for the art critic or shopaholic in you! If you are looking for a luxury hotel, Grosvenor House, located in the stunning and alluring Mayfair can be found overlooking Hyde Park, a great location for romantic walks or hiring a pedal boat, just the two of you.
Of course there are the main attractions which may entice you into staying in London such as Madame Tussauds, The London Eye and the London Aquarium. But whatever you are looking for, London definitely can offer it, and it’s rated number one so we can’t argue with that!
Manchester
Manchester offers a wide variety of hotels, whether you are looking for something luxurious like Rocco Forte’s The Lowry Hotel which is located within walking distance of the city centre, or something a little more affordable but still breathtaking, like the Britannia Hotel which is located within the city centre. Both offer a great sleep ready for your adventurous antics of the next day.
But what sort of adventure quest are you looking for? When staying in Manchester there are many things you can do. If shopping is your thing there is a whole host of designers and shopping centres all for your hearts desires. Looking for something sporty? There is the opportunity to visit Old Trafford or go back in history with a visit to the National Football museum. Want something for the whole family? Why not start at the Aerial Extreme high ropes adventure course, take a look around Animal World and end the day at the Chill Factore, a highly energetic day but which can be enjoyed by all.
Liverpool
What about Liverpool, have you ever thought about going there? If you’re not bothered about where you are staying and fancy the idea of a surprise, why not book into one of Liverpool’s secret hotels. With only the price to guide you, you are told about your chosen location once you have made your booking. Fancy something a little different, why not a luxury self catering apartment located on the Kings Waterfront next to ACC Liverpool and the Albert Dock.
Not sure what to do in Liverpool? Take a look at Liverpool’s history with a visit to The Beatles Story or The Cavern Club known as the most famous club in the world because of its music Wall of Fame and the fact that it is the focal point in The Beatles history. But if you want something a little less Beatles, there is the Walker Art Gallery and Liverpool’s central library, both within the cultural St.George’s quarter of Liverpool, only a few minutes’ walk from the city centre.
Belfast and Glasgow
If you live within the boundaries of England and you are looking for something not so close to home as those above, maybe Belfast or Glasgow could be the option for you.
Belfast
If luxury, style and a weekend of not leaving the hotel is on your agenda then the Hastings Culloden Hotel could be the right choice for you. The Culloden Estate and spa is located in the Holywood hills overlooking the Belfast Lough set in 12 acres of peaceful and sheltered gardens. But if a quiet retreat is not what you want and you would rather be close to the centre of Belfast, then the Hastings Europa Hotel may be the answer. Not only this, but you are likely to bump into the rich and famous here because of the VIP treatment which everyone receives when staying.
It’s not just the hotels which are on offer, fancy something extraordinary? Why not trace the story of Titanic and discover the excitement of the Titanic era with the visitor experience, or be a part of the year-round music festival and listen to local bands and the fresh northern talent of people like Duke Special. But if you want to match the grandeur of your hotel, why not visit the Belfast City Hall or Belfast’s Palm House.
Glasgow
If you want something a little unusual; what about a hotel which was originally a church in the centre of Glasgow? The beautiful Malmaison is a classical, contemporary style hotel offering something completely different to the everyday stay. If that doesn’t tickle your fancy, what about a guesthouse? The Manor Park Guest House is located in the chic and fashionable west end, and offers a personal service at an affordable price close to the Kelvingrove Art Galleries and Universities.
But what can attract you to Glasgow in the first place? What about the great variety of the grand and centuries-old castles in Greater Glasgow and The Clyde Valley, or the Kelvingrove situated on the River Kelvin close to the west end and the Manor Park Guest House. Or the Queen’s Park which was the site of the Battle of Langside, or the Glasgow Science centre and The Tall Ship at Glasgow’s Harbour. There is a huge choice of where to go and what to available, catering for all types of weekends away.
No matter where you choose to go or stay, the UK can offer us all that little something which can make for a romantic or energetic or exploratory weekend away.
Photo Credit: Flickr/John Goode
