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10 best places to wake up in the UK

Wherever you’re dreaming of going post-lockdown, there are many amazing places in the UK to wake up to, from stunning city skylines, to the sweeping vistas of the countryside there are endless discoveries to be made. Here is our list of the 10 best locations to wake up in the UK.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh sunrise

Scotland’s bustling and hilly capital is a great place to visit. With lots of varied things to see and do, you can certainly keep busy from the moment you wake up, to the moment you fall into bed at night. If you love a cultural getaway, you definitely won’t be disappointed with a visit to Edinburgh’s iconic castle, where hundreds of years of Scottish history meets breathtaking scenery. Or climb Arthurs Seat, an extinct volcano which stands over 200 metres above Edinburgh, boasting stunning panoramic views across the city. Edinburgh is also known for its haunting history, and has quite a few scary stories to tell. Why not go for a wander after dark and uncover some Scottish secrets? Ghost tours around the city take place everyday so don’t be a scaredy-cat!

If museums are more your thing, then you’ll feel right at home here. Walk a Royal Mile or two across the city and you’ll soon bump into something of cultural significance. Gladstone’s Land is one of the oldest buildings on the Royal Mile and boasts amazing elaborate exhibits and decorations dating back to the Renaissance. The Royal Yacht Britannia, once home to the Queen herself,  is also worth a visit. Walk in the footsteps of Royalty and explore 5 decks full of fascinating historic photographs and other paraphernalia.

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London

Known around the world for its multicultural nature, there’s always something to do in London, day or night, whoever you are. Seeing the sunrise over the city is a great sight to behold if you’re an early bird, and the small hours can also be a great time to enjoy the sights of London without all of the crowds. Whether you fancy visiting a historic tourist attraction such as The Tower of London or the London Eye, going for a browse in one of the shopping districts, taking a break in one of London’s famous and picturesque parks, or soaking up some culture at one of the capital’s many museums, one thing is for certain- you won’t get bored!

People from all over the world come to experience this fun and vibrant city, and where cultures collide, a whole tasty variety of foods can be sampled and enjoyed. From grab and go style street food, to luxurious michelin starred dining, you can truly experience the world on a plate here. If that’s got your mouth watering, check out this list of the best places to eat in the capital.

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Marlow

Marlow at sunrise

Situated in a quiet area on the River Thames in Buckinghamshire, Marlow is the perfect place to get away from it all. Take a riverside stroll, enjoy a pint at a cosy pub and then settle down for dinner at one of the area’s many locally loved eateries. Tom Kerridge’s ‘The Hand and Flowers‘ boasts itself as the only pub in the UK with two Michelin stars and beautiful surroundings to match its top notch nosh. If the weather is favourable, take a boat trip on Marlow Lock and see the scenic town from the river.

There are also many National Trust properties and stunning woodlands in the surrounding towns. The Orangery at Cliveden is worth a visit- and is free for national Trust members- while Higginson Park is a great destination for keeping the whole family entertained with play parks, sports facilities, boat hire as well as plenty of wildlife residents to spot on your travels.

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Brighton

Brighton at sunrise

Brighton is one of Britain’s best loved beach cities. With a far-stretching shingle beach and fabulous promenade, Brighton seafront provides everything you’d want to wake up to. Delicious little independent cafes line the streets, providing you with amazing lunch offerings, not to mention some award winning fish & chip shops. Getting around this little city is super easy, be it by foot, bicycle, or public transport, making it a great destination for all ages.

You won’t be short of things to do in Brighton, with some much-loved tourist attractions dotted around the beachfront all promising to keep your day full of fun. During the summer, the sound of seagulls and crashing waves fill the air, but in the autumn and winter months, thousands of starlings flock to Brighton and most evenings, as the sun sets, will fly together over the pier, making beautiful, hypnotic shapes.

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Bath

Bath at sunrise

Travel back in time to Bath, the UK’s only city designated a UNESCO world heritage site. Bath looks and feels virtually unchanged since Georgian times, and boasts some of the best architecture around. It’s no wonder Bath’s most famous inhabitant, Jane Austen, chose this breathtaking city to draw inspiration for her novels, and you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d stumbled into one as you walk the streets of Bath. From the Royal Crescent to The Circus, the buildings of Bath are some of the best you’ll find, and you could easily spend a whole day just taking in the sites.

The most famous building in Bath, giving the city its name, is the Roman baths. Dating back to AD43, these elaborate baths are filled by water from a natural hot spring, and were a place for wealthy Romans to unwind and relax. The Roman baths are incredibly well preserved and give you the perfect image of life back 2,000 years ago.

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North Wales

In North Wales the mountains meet the sea, and here you will wake up to epic landscapes filled with heritage, culture, and astounding nature. If you love nothing more than getting outdoors, smelling the fresh air, and feeling the sun (or maybe cloud) on your face, then you will do no better than North Wales. This area of the country is full of spectacular scenery, from the dramatic peaks of Snowdonia to the breathtaking beaches along the coast.

Wales is known as ‘castle country’ for a very good reason. Wales has over 100 castles still standing to this day, with some of the finest examples in the north. Pop down to Caernarfon Castle or Conwy Castle to see some massive, imposing castles that will take you right back to medieval times. Top tip: buy your toy sword before you tour the castles, then you can pretend to be an attacking knight!

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Cornwall

Cornwall at sunrise

When you hear Cornwall, your brain might jump straight to pasties. And whilst pasties are probably one of the most delicious things ever to come out of the area, there’s a lot more to Cornwall than just its food!

First, let’s start with the beaches – some of the best in the world. It’s no surprise that countless films and TV shows have been shot in Cornwall given its crystal clear waters and rugged beauty. Head down to Kynance Cove, Bedruthan Steps, or Pedn Vounder for beaches you will not believe are in the UK. Second, let’s get adventurous. Cornwall is an adventure enthusiast’s paradise, and you can try your hand at any number of activities including sea kayaking, abseiling, skydiving, and coasteering – mountaineering on coastal cliffs. Finally, you can test your balance on some of the best waves around. Surfers from across the globe flock to Cornwall to catch some waves, and there are plenty of beginner schools where you can learn to surf or pick up some more cool surfing skills.

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York

York is one of our greatest cities. This once capital city has its roots in Roman and Viking history, and is surrounded by medieval city walls. Today, York is a vibrant city sporting some fantastic independent shops and eateries, 30 world-class museums, with beautiful National Parks on its doorstep. Wake up here and you’ll be in for a great day out.

Of course, the world famous York Minster is a must-visit city site, but York is chock full of highlights that’ll keep you busy all day long. Go for a ramble along the shambles, York’s most famous shopping street. This beautiful street is full of overhanging, wooden-beamed houses, and was the inspiration for Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley. Walk the city walls, which were mainly built in the 13th century and encompass the city. Or visit the Jorvik Viking Centre and learn about the brutal and bloody history of this incredible place.

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Bristol

Bristol city

Bristol is a city with buzz that’s nestled into the beautiful rolling hills of South West England. With a prosperous maritime history, Bristol is now an artistic and vibrant place, with ports and harbours that have been transformed into independent eateries, boutique shops, galleries, and museums.

Boasting top quality theatres, including the Bristol Hippodrome, and renowned galleries, Bristol is a fantastic place to visit for lovers of the arts. Of course, one of the best reasons for culture vultures to visit Bristol is its most famous son, Banksy, who’s artworks can be seen around the city. From art to animals, Bristol has it all, and a trip to this city would not be complete without a visit to Bristol Aquarium or Bristol Zoo Gardens, the fifth oldest zoo in the world, with over 400 exotic and endangered animals on display.

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Manchester

Manchester sunrise

Known across the world as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, Manchester has moved away from its manufacturing roots to become one of the most vibrant and cultural cities in Europe. Waking up in Manchester is like waking up in a melting pot. Whatever it is you like to do, you can make the most of it with a visit to Manchester.

If sport is your life, Manchester’s two, world famous football stadiums will mean you can’t miss the beautiful game. With over 50 museums in and around Manchester, inquisitive minds can marvel at the miracles of science, nature and technology to their heart’s content. Even the most ardent food fanatic would struggle to eat their way around Manchester, with nearly 700 restaurants in the greater area, one of which was recently awarded a Michelin Star. Manchester has it all, the only thing it needs now is you.

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