Loved Bristol, what's next
 

Hello
Spent a few days in Bristol, really liked it. We loved that it was a city but felt relaxed and uncrowded.

We stayed on the Promenade at Radisson Blu, an excellent base for exploring. The locals were quite friendly too.

I'm wondering if any other UK city would provide a similar experience, urban but not suffocating. Bristol had enough to hold our interest for 3 days without rushing.

Already been to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cambridge, Oxford, Bath, York, and of course London.

Thanks :)

Cardiff?

Leeds might fill your bill -great base for many nearby sights- Fountains Abbey; Bronte Country; Harrogate; Yorkshire Dales.

Portsmouth?

I'd consider either Liverpool or somewhere in East Anglia to give really different experiences to what you've had before.

Will you have a car or not? That would make a difference. Some country towns might not have great rail links but are in good areas for touring by car.

Leeds is good as P says, Lincoln centre is interesting but the 'burbs less so, Hull is presently the Uk city of culture and in the old parts pretty fun, if you follow my name back about 3 years or so I did a day trip write up and I also did one to Newcastle which I would also recommend.

In the south Poole rather than Bournemouth, Portsmouth rather than Southampton, Salisbury just for the cathedral

Manchester? Lots of history, great hotels, restaurants and shopping. Excellent transport links and museums, including the National Football Museum if you have any interest in sport.

Hello all, thanks so much for the replies.
No car, we usually land at the nearest airport and use the train. This time took Heathrow Express to Paddington then the train, long journey but at the end it worked out well (I get bus sick).

I was told (not my opinion, just running things by you all that Liverpool would not be ideal for someone who does not like football or the Beatles (that's us).

Also, Manchester is just an industrial city, I was also told.

I also considered Cardiff since it's close to London and we've never been to Wales but I've read in this forum that it would not have enough to hold our interest for 3 nights (which is the minimum we like to spend in any place). Any other opinions on Cardiff?

Leeds and Hull are great suggestions, I need to look at the map to see which major UK airports are nearest. We usually like to do a city then end our trip in London and fly out from there.

Thanks again

Blackpool?

Both Leeds and Hull have their own airports, Manchester at a push.

Manchester "an Industrial city" someone been a bit unfair there, some wonderful museums and a nice China town, plus the odd football team.

you may also enjoy using http://www.traveline.info/ to get around to all the sites.

>>that Liverpool would not be ideal for someone who does not like football or the Beatles<<

That is absolutely silly.

And the 'info' you heard about Manchester is just as bad.

Beyond belief really.

oh -- and ignore the Blackpool suggestion. PQ may be on the paint again.

Blackpool is the second-most visited city by Brits I've seen in various polls - check it out - not your typical city but if the Lights are on (Aug-Nov roughly) it is quite a show. Some culture snobs disdain it but sincerely to me it is my favorite city outside of London- see a different type of Brit than in more cultural places!

https://www.google.com/search?q=blac...w=1745&bih=864

Blackpool can be a great base with train links to nearby Manchester (which has some great museums)- Liverpool - and accommodations are cheap compared to many places.

Blackpool is legendary and loved my many Brits - not much and often disdained by and ignored even by the chattering classes however.

For something totally different and people-watching extraordinaire check out Blackpool - tonier St-Anne's on it south has a whole different atmosphere but still neat - the British Open is at times held there.

http://www.visitblackpool.com/

You post that every chance you get . . . and are shot down every time. But you persist. Sort of like a dog with a stick. It is a dump. Even the improvements they have installed -- it is worth an evening at most -- not a place to stay 3 days for sure.

(I think you enjoy misleading folks for sport - which isn't very nice)

If you want to got to a place frequented by hen and stag parties then Blackpool is your place otherwise avoid like the plague.

Leeds or Manchester nice for a couple of days..
Have you considered Birmingham- a much maligned city that has spent millions on regeneration, has some super restaurants and you could do some easy ( by train) direct day trips to Stratford upon Avon and Warwick.

St. Andrews - by rail and bus from Edinburgh. Great little city. From there, wander around, take great little bus along coastal villages south down to Anstruther and Pittenweem.

What about York?

http://www.visityork.org/

Sorry, missed that you have already been there!

"Manchester is just an industrial city, I was also told."

You were told wrongly. That may have been true 60 years ago, but not know. Manchester is probably the most vibrant city (outside London) in the UK. It offers all of the things I mentioned above and then some, without having to take day trips miles away.

Tell us what interests you and I'll list things to do in Manchester that will keep you interested, charmed and occupied for days.

Hello again and thanks for the great replies.
First, I forgot to mention that I did visit St. Andrews. Although, I'm not into quaint and quiet, I really enjoyed being there. Generally speaking, I found Scotland very alluring.

Re interests: interesting architecture, people-watching oppurtunities, street art, museums of modern art, cultural events, good food, and friendly locals are generally things we look for in a destination. Great live jazz venues are always a major plus.
No interest in football whatsoever.

I'd be interested in hearing more about Liverpool and Manchester, please. Which is more aesthetically pleasing and walkable, for example?

We also don't like very crowded places, we aim to visit in October.

Thanks again for your help