Freshers week isn’t just a time for students to celebrate leaving home, it’s also a great time for mum and dad to relax, unwind and take some time out. Research by hotel, travel and leisure specialist, lastminute.com and England’s national tourist board VisitEngland, shows that parents are doing just that with hotel bookings and short breaks up 17 per cent during Freshers Week.
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There are plenty of great deals on hotels and short breaks for parents to enjoy during their first week of peace and quiet. And, for those mums and dads who want to make sure their children settle in to university life, there are some great deals to be had in some of the UK's top university towns.
BIRMINGHAM
Set right in the middle of England, Birmingham is at the heart of our country and, with a history going back over 10,000 years, there’s plenty to be discovered.
Must-see architectural gems include Aston Hall - a Jacobean mansion with parkland - and the National Trust’s Back to Backs housing, a museum of authentic terraced housing untouched from the 1800s. Lovers of authentic hot food should hit the city’s famous Balti Triangle and St Paul's Square.
Rooms at the four star Hilton Birmingham Metropole starts from £47 per night. Hilton Birmingham Metropole is a modern hotel adjacent to the National Exhibition Centre and the perfect place to stay when visiting the city.
BRISTOL
Renowned for producing Brunel, drum ‘n’ bass and Banksy, Bristol is stooped in a rich maritime heritage and is awash with cutting-edge arts culture. A walk through some of the city’s streets will open a world of new discoveries. Visitors to the city should keep their eyes peeled for an original Banksy.
Rooms at the four star Radisson Blu Hotel start from £55 per night. The Radisson Blu Hotel is located in the city centre and overlooks Bristol’s historic waterfront. The harbour side of Bristol offers guests a unique blend of historic and modern attractions, including the Bristol Aquarium, Brunel's SS Great Britain and Spike Island.
NEWCASTLE
Antony Gormley’s Angel of the North sculpture welcomes visitors to Tyneside with open wings. With an ever-present dialogue between the ultra-modern and ancient, urban and rural, traditional and innovative, Newcastle is a perfect city for those looking for an exciting break
Rooms at the four star Hilton Newcastle Gateshead start from £59 per night. The riverside Hilton Newcastle Gateshead overlooks the River Tyne, the Quayside, and Newcastle and is located approximately 15 miles from Newcastle International Airport.
BRIGHTON
Brighton has a relaxed and welcoming vibe, eclectic shops, cafes and nightspots not to mention the refreshing sea air. Fish and chips and a few goes on the amusement stalls of the Palace Pier are usually top of the list for day-trippers, followed closely by a meander around The Lanes or the North Laine area.
Rooms at the four star Lansdowne Place Hotel and Spa start from £59 per night. The Lansdowne Place Hotel & Spa is situated just off Brighton seafront and within strolling distance of Brighton’s shopping district and bustling nightlife.
For more information or to book, visit www.lastminute.com