Sun City: The Best UK Cities To Visit In Summer

With international travel likely to remain restricted this summer, British holidaymakers are looking forward to exploring new and exciting corners of the UK. In the past, British holidays typically meant coast or countryside but this year, travellers are seizing the opportunity to visit UK cities to sample the cultural and gastronomic experiences on offer.

So, for those wishing to soak up the sunshine in one of the UK’s various urban hotspots, where exactly are the best places to visit? 

Which city is the best in the UK for a summer holiday? 

Staybridge Suites has ranked 15 cities across the UK, taking into account a variety of summer amenities including rooftop bars, green spaces, swimming areas and waterside activities, giving each city a score out of 10.  Here’s how the overall rankings stacked up:

1. Manchester: 7.5

2. Newcastle & Bristol: 7

3. Liverpool: 6.5

4. Nottingham: 5.5

5. Belfast & Glasgow: 5

6. Leicester, Edinburgh & Southampton: 4.5

7. Birmingham, Sheffield, Dundee: 4

8. Leeds & London: 3

Manchester

Topping the list was the city of Manchester with an overall score of 7.5. Boasting the most rooftop bars outside of London, this Northern hub also offers visitors a full selection of restaurants and bars to enjoy along the river Irwell and the Bridgewater canal. For those who crave activity, the Helly Hansen Watersports Centre offers visitors the chance to try their hand at canoeing, sailing and windsurfing. If this isn’t quite your speed, a Manchester River Cruise along the ship canal lets visitors take in the historic sites of the city, enjoy live music or simply relax with a meal on the water. There are also a number of open water swimming spots within an hour of the city centre - weather permitting, it could be paradise! 

Newcastle 

Tied for second position were Newcastle and Bristol, both with a respective score of 7. While neither has quite as many rooftop bars as London or Manchester, both of these cities have a lot to offer. Newcastle is home to a number of scenic spots for visitors to enjoy a drink and a bite to eat while looking out onto the River Tyne. The North East also has some beautiful countryside with ancient forest areas like Hareshaw Linn and quaint historical villages like Haydon Bridge. Hadrian’s Wall, which runs through Haydon Bridge, also links straight into Northumberland National Park - a great spot for a summer walk or bike ride.

Bristol

Bristol is famed for its interest in art and culture so it may come as no surprise that the city’s waterside is becoming somewhat of a creative hub. Arnolfini Arts showcases a range of contemporary artists through dance events, poetry readings, art exhibitions, a cinema and more. Guests can then enjoy a drink and some food in the Harbourside Bar overlooking the water. The river Avon also provides visitors with lots of opportunities for fishing, boating and swimming; there are also plenty of outdoor swimming pools to visit, including the historic Bristol Lido. This Victorian pool has both a restaurant and outdoor bar offering an experience that is pretty close to mediterranean… for the south west of England. 

Belfast & Glasgow

Placing in the middle of the rankings were Glasgow and Belfast, each with a score of 5. Although Glasgow has the second highest percentage of green space after Edinburgh (32%), it lacks opportunities for outdoor swimming. That said, the city does have a few hidden gems along the riverside like the 160 ft bungee jump over the river Clyde which lets visitors see the city from new heights. Similarly, while Belfast offers some great spots by the waterfront of the river Lagan, the city doesn’t offer as many open water swimming areas or rooftop bars as others on the list.

London & Leeds

London and Leeds closed out the rankings in joint last place, each with a score of 3. This may be surprising given the capital’s abundance of outdoor green spaces, riverside activities, lidos and rooftop bars but the sheer size and population of the city means the most desirable summer spots can become crowded fairly quickly (especially if the sun’s out!) Leeds also has a lot of green space for visitors to enjoy as well as a fair amount of riverside activities. However, the city also has the fewest number of lidos and outdoor swimming opportunities which means it ultimately scores low down in the overall rankings.  

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