Bath’s hot springs, golden Georgian architecture and beautiful Cotswolds backdrop have been drawing in the crowds for centuries. A vibrant culture and new developments that tastefully complement the city’s historic background promise to make Bath an even greater international tourist destination in the years ahead.

UNESCO World Heritage
Surrounded by parkland and rolling hills, situated on a bend of the River Avon and graced by some of the most beautiful architecture in Europe, Bath has the unique distinction of being Britain’s only city with UNESCO World Heritage site status. It is also the site of Britain’s only hot springs, around which the Romans built a magnificent temple and bathing complex that gave the city its name and still flows with natural hot water. Bath has some of Britain’s finest Georgian architecture, and around 5,000 buildings are listed for their architectural merit. The Royal Crescent, the Circus, the Pump Room, the Assembly Rooms and the Pulteney Bridge are all must-see Georgian masterpieces.

Modern Bath
The city is far more than museums and old buildings. It has a lively cultural scene with several festivals, and all kinds of shows, concerts and exhibitions fill up the events calendar. Being a university town, it also has a vibrant nightlife, and the dining scene equals that of almost any other British city. After a long period of gestation and many delays, the city’s long-awaited new bath and spa facilities, which use natural thermal water from the same springs that gave rise to the Roman baths nearly two millennia ago, opened in August 2006. This modern therapeutic spa complex has made the city’s thermal waters available to its residents and visitors for the first time in 28 years, bringing the modern city back in touch with its historical origins.

The Cotswolds
Adding to the attractiveness of Bath is its lovely surrounding countryside and the Cotswolds area with its gentle hillsides and pretty towns and villages, and the ubiquitous local golden sandstone (found in the most stately city building and the tiniest cottage) is a visual reflection of the city’s links with its environs.

Brighton was one of the first of the great seaside resorts of Europe. A fashion for sea water cures around the middle of the 18th century coincided with the beginnings of modern seaside tourism generally, and the result was the transformation of the old fishing town of Brighthelmstone into the modern sea resort of Brighton.

Brighton tourism
George IV built the city’s most famous landmark, the Royal Pavilion, and his patronage made Brighton famous and fashionable. By the time of the arrival of the railway connection between London and Brighton in 1841, the age of modern tourism had truly descended on the bright city by the sea, bringing an estimated 250,000 annual visitors already before 1850.

Today Brighton is a more popular destination than ever, with some 8 million tourists visiting each year. The Royal Pavilion and the Brighton Pier are still essential parts of the city and links to its past, but a true cultural renaissance has occurred during the last decade that has transformed Brighton into something much more than just a seaside resort.

Arts and culture
Brighton and Hove (together given city status in 2000) is today one of the most vibrant and diverse cities in the UK, with world-class arts and culture, a world-famous music and club scene, an incredible nightlife, great shopping, top-class restaurants and a deep-seated tolerance of alternative lifestyles. Brighton is well known for its gay scene, and the city’s bohemian traditions are alive and well.

Brighton is a growing, confident and forward-looking city. A state-of-the-art library was built for the new Cultural Quarter in the North Laine area, and several new hotels are planned both for here and the new Urban Village next to Brighton Station.

Located in West Yorkshire, the city offers easy access to the stunning countryside that characterises the region. But if you thought that Leeds was all about flat caps and whippets then think again, as the modern day Leeds is a young, vibrant city that's more about champagne and cocktails than real ale.

It originated as a small Saxon village on the banks of the River Aire and was first mentioned in the Doomsday Book in 1086 when it had an estimated population of around 200 people. It steadily grew in both size and stature over the following centuries, developing on the back of agriculture and the bourgeoning wool and cloth trades. By the Middle Ages, Leeds was one of the largest towns in the region, attracting traders and businessmen.

Despite not having a cathedral at the time, Queen Victoria granted Leeds city status in 1893 and from here it grew from strength to strength to become one of the most vibrant cities in England, and one that's now home to a thriving student population.

Modern day Leeds offers visitors a varied package of facilities, entertainment and attractions that spans business, art, history, culture, music, comedy and much more.

And it's impossible to talk about Leeds without mentioning the city's fantastic shopping opportunities. The main commercial centre is located across a pretty, pedestrianised grid of streets where many of the main high street chains can be found. But venture down the connecting alleyways and covered markets to find a treasure trove of one-off boutiques and independent stores.

And boasting a great array of bars, restaurants, clubs and other night-time entertainment, Leeds no longer sits in the shadow of its more famous neighbour, Manchester, but now stands up as a contender for the coveted crown of capital of the north.

Fresh from its status as European Capital of Culture in 2008, Liverpool, with its innovative museums, redeveloping city centre and notable musical heritage, is an exciting place to visit.

As the birthplace of the Beatles, Liverpool attracts many musical pilgrims, but its fascinating social history is also a key magnet for visitors. Situated on the River Mersey, Liverpool’s former maritime grandeur – in which it garnered a fortune from cotton and slaves during the 17th and 18th centuries – has left a striking architectural legacy. The Albert Dock and the Port of Liverpool Building are two such examples.

Of course, it’s impossible to talk about Liverpool without mentioning football; there are two main teams, Everton and Liverpool. Both play in England’s top Premier League, and attract a passionate fan base.

But Liverpool’s essential character lies in its people: Liverpudlians are bold, famous for their acerbic wit and characteristic ‘scouse’ dialect, and fiercely proud of their regional identity.

Vast, vibrant and truly multicultural, London is one of the world’s great cities. Located in the southeast of England, on the River Thames, it is the capital of the United Kingdom and has been the heart of its political, cultural and business life for centuries.

London history
The now sprawling metropolis is a far cry from the scrabble of dwellings that first sprouted up to house river traders during their voyages towards the sea. It was the Romans who really kick-started the city, by establishing ‘Londinium’ as an important fortress town, guarding the Thames.

Over the centuries, London has developed and expanded, despite the many dangers that might have defeated a lesser place – the Plague, the Great Fire, the bitter English Civil War, a plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament, and the ‘Blitz’ during WWII.

Bustling and lively city
Nowadays, the sheer scale of Greater London can be daunting at first, although it is a city that is surprisingly easy to get around, with the comprehensive and easily navigated London Underground or ‘Tube’.

The twin axis on which London rests is the Houses of Parliament to the west and the City of London to the east. The seat of government (not far from the home of the royal family) is connected to the City (the financial engine room of London and the whole of the UK) by the River Thames.

In between lie most of the tourist attractions and the busiest, liveliest different entertainment areas, such as Knightsbridge and Soho. But London’s vivacity and charm stretches far beyond the Circle Line – the Underground route that rings the inner city. Residential areas outside the city centre, such as leafy Richmond (southwest) or Hampstead (north), trendy Hoxton (east) or Notting Hill (west), each have their own charm and identity.

Melting pot
London’s very real multiculturalism is evident on every street (and many restaurant plates) and is one reason why people love the city. Tourists come for London’s history or royal pageantry but they return for all the charms of the modern city, not least the extraordinary breadth of London’s cultural life, with world-class art galleries and theatres, buzzing nightlife, film, music, culinary and fashion scenes.

When to go
During summer, London’s bountiful green spaces fill up with office workers and tourists enjoying the surprisingly balmy days as café tables sprout across pavements. During winter, the grey skies and rain can be forgotten for a while in numerous cosy pubs. But spring or autumn are probably the best seasons to visit the city, when clear crisp sunny days often illuminate London and its landmarks, old and new.

Manchester is renowned for being the north’s music capital, a vibrant university town, and home to the best-known football team in the world, Manchester United. However this English city, which arguably rivals London in terms of excitement, has much more to offer.

The reasons lie in Manchester’s transformation over the last two decades. In the 1990s, Manchester was the centre of the British music scene, spawning Oasis, the Stone Roses and the Happy Mondays. But Manchester’s bubble was shockingly blown apart in 1996 when the IRA detonated a bomb in the city centre.

Huge sums of money were subsequently pumped into rebuilding the city. New city and canalside developments sprung up across the city. Manchester grew from strength to strength and went on to host the Commonwealth Games in 2002.

Modern-day Manchester continues to lead the way in urban regeneration, with eye-catching buildings such as the Urbis centre which will become the National Football Museum in 2010. Manchester is also proud of its status as a style icon and the city has a well deserved reputation as a great place to shop, drink and eat.

Newcastle upon Tyne is one of northern England’s most vibrant cities, with an unrivalled nightlife scene, fantastic shopping and top cultural attractions all set within a compact city centre. 

Combine all this with the warmth and energy of local Geordies – whose passion for Newcastle United Football Club is legendary - and visitors are guaranteed an unforgettably friendly welcome in this attractive riverside city.

It’s by the river Tyne that most of Newcastle’s renaissance - a city once defined by its coal mining and ship building industries – has sprung. Smart hotels like Malmaison and a plethora of waterside bars, restaurants and clubs have helped to put Newcastle on the city break map. Meanwhile, two of the city’s biggest attractions - the Sage Gateshead and the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art are just a quick walk over the river in neighbouring Gateshead.

Throw in first-class museums and galleries, elegant Georgian architecture and some of the UK’s most unspoilt countryside and coastline on its doorstep, and you’ll discover why Newcastle has earned its place as one of the capitals of the north.

Southampton’s maritime status is a key part of the city’s identity. With over 240 cruise ships departing from its port every year, it is arguably the cruise capital of Europe. However, this city also has a lively arts scene, interesting museums and is in the process of some exciting new developments.

A new-look Southampton is set to emerge over the coming years. A central Cultural Quarter, including the Mayflower Theatre, the City Art Gallery, a proposed New Arts Complex and a Sea City Museum – which will have a climb-aboard scale model of the Titanic, which departed from the city – are to be developed, providing the city with a new heart.

When King George VI declared that ‘The history of York is the history of England', this was not an exaggeration. Eboracum; Eoforwic; Jorvik: names given to York by, respectively, Romans, Saxons and Vikings, all of whom have played a part in shaping the history and heritage of this enchanting city. York has played a prominent role in British history for over 2,000 years, from being the centre of trade in the Middle Ages to the social capital of the north in Georgian times.

Still encircled by ancient walls, the city thrives on its preservation of the past, with large areas, especially around York Minster, retaining many of those quintessential historical traits, such as quaint cobblestone streets and higgledy-piggledy houses.

Coupled with such quaintness is the downright quirky. Only in York could it be legal to shoot a Scotsman with a bow and arrow should one be spotted on the city walls after dark. Only in York are visitors likely to come across strange-sounding street names like Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma Gate and Mad Alice Lane.

In this city, supposedly the most haunted in Europe, snickleways (historic narrow passages) crisscross like secret passages. Eccentric and hearty Yorkshire cuisine is prevalent, with fat rascals and Yorkshire puddings being ubiquitous menu items.

Yet those visiting York are as likely to unearth a wealth of modern treasures, such as fashionable boutiques and first-rate restaurants, as they are remnants of times past. Jostling with the hordes of old-fashioned pubs are chic wine bars and other trendy watering holes.

Tourists and locals happily mingle with a large student population. Cultural delights and a vibrant, forward-thinking arts scene dwell next to more traditional museums and galleries. Such exceptional variety means that it is unlikely that visitors should tire of York itself but, should this happen, North Yorkshire offers a host of historical English villages, plus two national parks on York's doorstep.