5 Must-See Cities in the UK and Ireland: Part One

London

When you think of cities in the UK and Ireland, London is the first city that comes to mind for most people. As one of the world’s greatest cities, there is something for everyone in England’s capital. First off are the famous sights such as The Tower of London, Buckingham Palace and The London Eye to name a few. Then there is the world renowned shopping that places London high on the list of many shopaholics’ places to visit. Add to this the fantastic entertainment venues like The O2 Arena and the Hammersmith Apollo which play host to a variety of acts and the legendary west end London theatres which show hugely popular shows like The Lion King and We Will Rock You and you begin to realise what makes London so special. On top of all the things listed above, the restaurants and accommodation are also up there with the best and only strengthen London’s case for being a great city to visit.

Manchester

Home to the famed Manchester United sports team, there are plenty of things for people to see and do during a stay in Manchester. Over the past decade or so, Manchester has been updated and developed into the city it is today. That’s not to say that it has lost any of its charm or sense of history and those in search of a cultural and educational trip certainly won’t be disappointed. Manchester is home to a fantastic selection of museums and galleries like the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester and the Manchester Art Gallery. For those wanting to shop, there are plenty of shops scattered around the city as well as the hugely popular Trafford Centre that houses over 230 stores and a number of other entertainment and eating facilities. At night, Manchester comes alive with trendy bars and clubs, making it a popular destination for those looking to let their hair down.

Dublin

Renowned for being a city that loves to party, those visiting Dublin can expect much more than just great nightlife from Ireland’s capital city. There’s a selection of city tours that give visitors an insight into the city’s history and a number of museums to visit, including the Kilmainham Gaol Historical Museum which is an old jail that was notorious in the 19th century for its harsh treatment of prisoners. For the golfers out there, Dublin is home to some spectacular golf courses that will suit all standards of players. It’s impossible to talk about reason to visit Dublin mentioning Guinness, the famous Irish stout that originated in the brewery of Arthur Guinness in the 18th century. It is now one of the most successful beer brands worldwide, making a visit to the Guinness storehouse a must for anyone wanting to learn more about the history of the brand. Following the trip to the storehouse, you can enjoy Ireland’s most famous drink in the many pubs and clubs throughout Dublin.

Edinburgh

Undoubtedly one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, there is plenty for visitors to see and do in Edinburgh. Scotland’s capital city is second only to London when it comes to the number of tourists visiting and it’s clear to see why. With famous attractions like Edinburgh Castle and the National Museum of Scotland, and a selection of venues hosting music, theatre and film including the Royal Lyceum Theatre and The Usher Hall which is Edinburgh’s premier venue for classical music, there are plenty of cultural and educational experiences to be had. Another popular attraction is Edinburgh Zoo which is the second most visited paid-for attraction in the city behind the castle. There is also a great nightlife in Edinburgh and those hoping to shop will not be disappointed. The city centre is home to a huge number of bars and shops and there are also other retail developments outside of the city centre.

Cardiff

Wales’ capital city, Cardiff, is by far the most visited city in Wales. Like the other cities listed above, it has a number of museums and galleries that give visitors an insight into the history of the city, examples of which being The National History Museum and the National Museum and Art Gallery. Cardiff also has a great nightlife and visitors hoping to shop will be more than catered for. The majority of Cardiff’s shopping portfolio is in the city centre around Queen Street and St. Mary’s Street but there are also large suburban retail parks scattered in and around Cardiff, all of which helped Cardiff be named the 6th best UK city to visit for shopping according to one recent poll. What really makes Cardiff stand out though is the city’s love for sport. The Millennium Stadium is home to Wales’ rugby and football teams and fans flock from all over Wales to see the national play, resulting in an electric atmosphere for the rugby games in particular which have to be seen to be believed. The stadium also doubles up as a venue for live entertainment and many of the world’s biggest stars have performed at the stadium.

Each of these cities attracts a huge number of visitors each year. When you consider all that they have to offer, it’s easy to see why. Choosing one over the other is a difficult decision which is why you should visit all five at some point in your life.

Be sure to check back again soon for the second part of the article, where we will look at other cities in the UK and Ireland that you should visit!