Birmingham Bullring
As we’re all tightening our belts this summer as a result of the rather dour economic climate, our mates over at Virgin trains have come up with a great new timetable which can take you to great British hotspots this summer from just £5.
Okay, so we know it’s now St Lucia or Prague, but why not take some time out to explore some of the wonders of the UK for a change?
Birmingham
The now-famous new Bullring is the epicentre of Birmingham’s all-round shopping experience with £500 million of retail excitement capped by the iconic Selfridges.
The city centre is linked by street after street of shopping choice, which includes the designer label homeland of The Mailbox as well as key sights such as the Pallasades, Martineau Place and City Plaza.
Broad Street is probably the most exciting area to go for a late night drink in Birmingham as it is 1/2 mile long and houses almost nothing but bars and clubs. Places to try include Ipanema, Bar Risa (a bar and nightclub and is connected to Jongleurs Comedy Club next door) and Oh Velvet!, but if you are after a very cosmopolitan evening, head to The Living Room.
Birmingham is said to have more canals than Venice and walking the towpath gives you a chance to see the city and its surrounding towns in a new light. In the centre of the city, over 15 miles of canal have been improved to make safe and enjoyable walking - you don't need a boat!
Edinburgh
A seductive mix of modernity and heritage, Edinburgh is a must-visit City for all those who have not set foot across the border.
To symbolise the new Edinburgh the striking £420-million Scottish Parliament is a must see building to start your sight seeing tour with Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile and New Town (which is actually quite old) next in line.
When it comes to shopping, Princes Street’s is the place to start with the “oldest independent shop” Jenners at No.48 being a must-visit. On and around the Royal Mile is the place to get twee souvenirs of the kilt/whisky/shortbread-in-a-tin variety.
Although Edinburgh’s reputation is for festivals and events rather than nightlife, the relaxed licensing laws mean that most bars stay open until 1am – a perfect way to end your busy day.
The Lake District
The Lake District (also known as The Lakes or Lakeland), is a rural area in North West England.
Highly considered as a popular holiday destination, it is famous for its lakes and its mountains, and its associations with the early 19th century poetry and writings of William Wordsworth and the Poets.
The central and most-visited part of the area is contained in the Lake District National Park, one of fourteen National Parks in the United Kingdom. It lies entirely within Cumbria, and is one of England's few mountainous regions. All the land in England higher than three thousand feet above sea level lies within the National Park, including Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England.
Liverpool
Newly crowned as European Capital of Culture 2008, Liverpool is the only place to be this year.
This cultural centre is overflowing with history and legendary creative clout. Liverpool boasts two cathedrals which are major attractions in their own right. The Anglican Cathedral and the Metropolitan Cathedral are fine examples of internationally-recognised architecture and many gems of the National Museums Liverpool fall within the heritage site.
The refurbished World Museum Liverpool and Walker Art Gallery are housed in this part of town, while the Tate Liverpool and Merseyside Maritime Museum have their homes on the waterfront, at the Albert Dock, alongside the not to be missed Beatles Story. If you're looking for theatres in Liverpool there is an array of choice offering contemporary, classic and touring productions.
Manchester
Make time to enjoy a host of cross-cultural treats at the first ever Manchester International Festival, before indulging in a healthy helping of quirky shops, museums and eateries – all handpicked to guarantee you a satisfyingly unique experience.
Manchester is a dramatic mix of old and new. The futuristic design and innovative shapes of its contemporary architecture sit side by side with the spires and grinning gargoyles of its proud past.
Manchester’s gay scene is famously one of Britain’s friendliest, busiest and most welcoming. There is a huge range of stylish gay and lesbian bars and clubs in the Gay Village, and while here you’ll find shopping heaven, and an arts scene to match anywhere in Europe.
From fantastic culture to legendary nightlife and friendly people – a warm welcome awaits you...
London
Within the City of Westminster, the entertainment district of the West End has its focus around the film capital Leicester Square and home of electronic advertisements, Piccadilly Circus.
London's theatre district is here, as are many cinemas, bars, clubs and restaurants, including the city's Chinatown district, and just to the east is Covent Garden, an area housing speciality shops.
Europe's busiest shopping area is Oxford Street, nearly 1 mile (1.6 km) long — which makes it the longest shopping street in the world and home to many shops and department stores including Selfridges. Across Hyde Park is Knightsbridge — home to the Harrods department store.
London offers a great variety of cuisine as a result of its ethnically diverse population. Gastronomic centres include the Bangladeshi restaurants of Brick Lane and the Chinese food restaurants of Chinatown.
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